From 15 to 16 April, the United Nations Office to the African Union participated in an AU consultative meeting on preliminary steps towards the development of a continental strategy/guideline on non-state armed groups, including those designated as terrorist organizations in Africa.
Convened by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies, the meeting brought together representatives from AU departments, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms, and specialized entities working on counter terrorism, policing, intelligence, small arms, stabilization and peace support operations.
UNOAU shared lessons from regional stabilization strategies addressing non-state armed groups in Africa, including Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin. Discussions focused on the need for an integrated and comprehensive approach combining intelligence and analysis, military operations, screening, prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and repatriation.
Participants also emphasized the importance of prevention, early warning, mediation and protection of civilians, with particular attention to preventing violent extremism and supporting the protection, education, rehabilitation and reintegration of children associated with armed groups.
