Chair,

I thank Sierra Leone for its initiative to organize this meeting, and thank Special Representative Leonardo Santos Simão, Assistant Secretary-General Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Assistant Secretary-General Natalia Gherman’s representative, and Mr. Richard Apau for their briefings.

In recent years, the threat of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel has become increasingly severe, with the Sahel becoming one of the global terrorism epicenters. There is an urgent need to reverse this situation. We need to be cognizant of the current dynamics of countering terrorism, take stock of past experience, and ramp up our support to the Sahel in combating terrorism.

First, supporting regional states to strengthen their counter-terrorism capacities. Against the surging terrorism, it is imperative to help regional states build professional and strong security forces that can effectively deter terrorist activities. Regional states have gaps in funding, equipment, information, training, and logistics support. The international community should accordingly provide more targeted help. In the security cooperation with regional states, the sovereignty of those states should be fully respected, and there should be no interference in their internal affairs in the name of countering terrorism.

Second, supporting regional states in strengthening counter-terrorism mechanisms. The job of combating terrorism on one’s own would overwhelm any country. Synergy among regional states is therefore needed. China supports regional states in enhancing a common security approach and stepping up coordination in joint military operations, border patrol and control, and curbing arms trafficking. China welcomes efforts made by ECOWAS and AES in this regard, and calls on the international community to continue supporting regional state-led counter-terrorism cooperation initiatives to advance regional collective counter-terrorism mechanisms. China supports the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2719 as soon as possible and the provision of adequate, predictable, and sustainable funding for peace operations led by African countries.

Third, prioritizing addressing the underlying causes of terrorism. There have been acute development issues across several countries in West Africa and the Sahel. Poverty, unemployment, and difficulties in making ends meet are major contributing factors to people falling prey to terrorist groups and violent extremist ideology. Eradicating the scourge of terrorism requires investing in socio-economic development. We should support the efforts of regional countries to eliminate poverty and improve people’s livelihoods and redouble our efforts to help them resolve their debt and financing problems to enable them to get onto the path of sustainable development. Particular attention should be paid to policy support and resource investment in young people, empowering them economically and helping them improve their education level and acquire livelihood skills, so that they can better resist terrorism and extremist ideology.

Chair,

China has been a staunch supporter of and participant in the cause of Africa’s peace and security, and has been committed to promoting sustainable development and lasting peace and stability in Africa. With the upcoming summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to be held in Beijing in September, China will continue its efforts to promote peace in Africa by stepping up its commitment to West Africa and the Sahel region through bilateral and multilateral channels under the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative.

Thank you, Chair.