18 African states want Britain to join ex-colonies in war on terror

Legislators from 18 African countries have asked Britain and its former colonies to join forces and name financiers of terrorism currently ravaging the continent.

The more than 400 delegates who are attending the 46th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (African region) in Nairobi have at the same time called for enactment and full implementation of enabling laws to fight terrorism.

“We need to institute progressive legislative reforms to promote greater governance and respect for human rights and rule of law even as we enact laws to help government’s combat terrorism,” said Wajir Senator Abdirahman Hassan while presenting Kenya’s position in the war on Al-Shabaab.

“We need to enact laws that reduce poverty, strengthen rule of law and combat corruption. We can’t counter terror without fighting graft.”

He said the use of military intervention alone is not a solution, adding that parliaments must play key roles to strengthen oversight.

“We need to empower defence and security committees to ensure effective implementation of laws that the House pass to combat terror.

Rich children

“A combined approach from diplomacy, intelligence and military approach should be undertaken. We need a holistic approach to address terrorism,” Mr Hassan said.

Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, seconded Kenya’s motion on terrorism.

He said corruption was to blame for the rising acts of terror and called on African parliaments to help establish independent courts to deal with corruption and terrorism.

“I don’t believe poverty is a critical issue fuelling terrorism. The Islamic State is recruiting very rich children from UK, Nigeria and other parts of the world. They handle AK-47s that cost a lot of money. I don’t think poverty is major culprit.

“It is the porosity of our borders and inefficiencies of our security forces. How can Boko Haram or Al Shabaab move freely across borders to kill people if security is efficient?” he asked.

The legislators said the failure of security agencies in intelligence gathering and policing the borders was to blame for the killings.

Both Kenya and Nigeria said they had developed laws to curb terrorism but the problem persists.

The EastAfrican