We need to rebuild social contract across the region - DSG Amina Mohammed

In strengthening the African Union member states’ response to terrorism in the region, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, has called on the regional body and the ECOWAS to work to rebuild the social contract across the region. 

“We need to work to rebuild the social contract across the region. The social contract—the bond between people and the authorities that govern them—has been frayed by decades of underinvestment, crises, and corruption.” She said at the opening session of the High-Level African Counter-Terrorism meeting organised by the Government of Nigeria with the support of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and held in Abuja Nigeria, on 22-23 April 2024.

The Deputy Secretary-General noted that rebuilding social contracts was essential for recovery. “It means building strong democratic institutions and promoting people-centered governance, all grounded in human rights, and guaranteed access to basic services and inclusive development for all people, no matter who they are.”

The DSG highlighted the Summit of the Future happening at the margins of this year’s General Assembly and acknowledged that it would be a crucial opportunity to reinvigorate multilateralism in key areas, including sustainable development, a digital compact, future generations, and a New Agenda for Peace.

She emphasised that “Improving our global response to terrorism must play a central role in the New Agenda for Peace, uniting different stakeholders from the security, humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors behind a vision for a future without terrorism.”

Ms Mohammed called on African leaders to ensure that the institutions of the African Union and ECOWAS who are responsible to drive integration have the capacity and resources to do so.

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, called for the establishment of a regional Counter-Terrorism Centre that would tackle the spate of insecurity across the borders of African states.

He said the Centre will serve as a hub for intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building throughout Africa.

The president said Africa must take a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism, not only through might, but by addressing the root causes of the scourge like marginalisation, poverty, inequality, and social injustice.

Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, observed that African regional initiatives seemed to be achieving results and should be supported.

“We have some regional initiatives, from the African Union Mission in Somalia to the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin, and the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique. These regional arrangements require support and long-term commitment from the international community.” He said.

Voronkov emphasised that the UN Secretary-General’s policy brief on “A New Agenda for Peace” called for guaranteed funding, through assessed contributions for peace enforcement missions and counter-terrorism operations, led by African partners with a UN Security Council mandate under Chapters VII and VIII of the UN Charter.

The meeting themed, “Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism in Africa” was attended by   His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; His Excellency, Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; His Excellency, Faure Gnassingbe, President of Togo; and representatives of other member states and international organisations.