
File Photo: Islamist fighters loyal to Somalia s al-Qaida-inspired al-Shabab group perform military drills at a village in Lower Shabelle region, some 25 kilometers outside Mogadishu. AFP
This came in Egypt’s statement during the 19th meeting of the coordinating committee of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), which was held virtually on Wednesday in the presence of the GCTF’s member states and regional and international organisations concerned with combating terror.
Fouad reviewed the results of the 4th meeting held by the East Africa Region Working Group headed by Egypt and the EU on 13 September, which focused on the link between terror and transnational organised crimes.
He asserted Egypt’s willingness to continue to implement the plan of the working group for 2021/2022 to support the abilities of African countries in combating terror and extremist thinking.
Fouad referred to the pioneering Egyptian experience in combating terror and extremist thinking, asserting Egypt’s commitment to boosting cooperation and exchanging expertise in this field with the forum’s member states, especially African ones.
Over the past seven years, Egypt has been battling terrorism, especially in North Sinai. Terror attacks nationwide have targeted Christian and Muslim worshippers, police and army forces, and civilians.
Officials have frequently affirmed that the challenge of terrorism must be countered through a comprehensive approach that includes security and ideological solutions.
On the international level, a report issued by experts from the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force in June lauded Egypt’s cooperation with more than 38 countries around the world in the field of combating terrorism and its financing.
The report — which assessed the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing — said this cooperation resulted in the arrest of several terrorists, the dismantling of terrorist financing networks, informing other countries of foreign terrorist fighters, and the seizure of funds at the borders.
Cooperation also helped the involved countries control many criminal networks; uncover, dismantle, and prosecute terrorist cells; and eliminate terrorist groups in Egypt, according to the report.
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