Morocco Pledges Support for Global Anti-ISIS Coalition, Citing Unique Experience

In his speech at the opening of the ministerial meeting of the international coalition against Daesh, Nasser Bourita stressed the imperative of maintaining maximum pressure on terrorist hotbeds. "This trend must be closely monitored, as it deeply penetrates local populations and exploits porous borders to move freely and recruit fighters," said Mr. Bourita.

Furthermore, he welcomed the support of the coalition to the countries of the region in two key areas, namely the collection and protection of battlefield evidence and the necessary overall security of borders. "We remain ready to support these efforts and to share our experience, particularly in the field of security and border management," he assured.

At the African level, terrorist groups have shown themselves ready to cooperate with organized crime networks and separatist groups, he noted. Adding that in less than six years, terrorist attacks in Africa have gone from 381 in 2015 to 7,108 in 2020, with a nine-fold increase in the number of victims, from 1,394 dead to 12,519. "A quarter of the terrorist violence in the world takes place in Africa with terrorist groups active in half of the African countries," said the Moroccan minister.

This is why the minister welcomed the importance of engaging African partners in the fight against the scourge of terrorism, noting that they are best placed to know the threat in their respective regions and that capacities must be strengthened against Daesh.

The participants in the ministerial meeting of the international coalition against Daesh will discuss ways to maintain pressure on the remnants of Daesh in Iraq and Syria and to counter the terrorist group’s networks, particularly in Africa. They will also assess the coalition’s priorities in terms of stabilization, foreign terrorist fighters, financing the fight against Daesh and counter-propaganda efforts.