25 October 2023, Luanda, Angola – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) participated and contributed to the Second Global Parliamentary Summit on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism, held on the margins of the 147th IPU Assembly, hosted by the National Assembly of Angola, in Luanda.
Two years after the inaugural session of the Summit took place in Vienna, where, among other outcomes, the Call of the Sahel Initiative was presented and launched, MPs and experts re-convened to discuss the rapid evolution of terrorist threats in terms of scope, operations, and outreach, with a focus on the deterioration of the security conditions in the Sahel region.
The Sahel has been suffering from a high vulnerability and fragility for a long time, as countries in the area continue to face persisting internal conflicts, terrorist and criminal threats, as well as the consequences of several coup d’états, which hinder democratic progress, contribute to political instability and insecurity, lead to the displacement of entire populations, and fuel sentiments of discontent and frustration from sections of society – especially youth.
PAM, a founding member of the Call of the Sahel Initiative, was represented by Hon. Abdelouahab Yagoubi, Member of the People’s National Assembly of Algeria. Present among the participants there were delegates from the Sahel countries, international and regional parliamentary assemblies, and representatives from partner research centres and organizations.
In his intervention, Hon. Yagoubi strongly reiterated the necessity to address the root causes that have created a fertile ground for the widespread of instability in the Sahel, first and foremost, the presence of foreign terrorist and criminal organizations, such as the Russian-controlled Wagner mercenary group, the misuse of new and emerging technologies; the stagnant economic development; the extreme poverty conditions; and the climate crisis.
Hon. Yagoubi also highlighted the joint actions, which, implemented together with regional and international partners, and the relevant UN bodies, are of primary importance to restore the rule of law, guarantee the respect of human rights, especially the right of young people to have access to education, as well as to prevent and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Participants at the Summit agreed on the preparation of a document, with activities planned for the next year, and the establishment of a dedicated committee, within the IPU High-Level Advisory Group on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism, to monitor the implementation of future initiatives of the Call of the Sahel. //