Morocco's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Omar Hilale, underlined before the Security Council, the need to tackle the root causes of terrorism in Africa.
Speaking during a meeting held by the UN SC on peace and security in Africa, the Moroccan diplomat said terrorism is one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and hampers the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Continent.
Terrorist operations in Africa, and particularly in the Sahel region, are increasingly audacious in attacking infrastructures, such as schools and hospitals, he noted.
Separatists and non-State armed groups represent a genuine threat to peace and security, Mr. Hilale pointed out, adding that terrorists aim to incite violence, creating a vacuum to be exploited for their own ends.
"This is why it is extremely important to tackle the root causes that push populations to join terrorists," he underlined.
Morocco takes an inclusive approach to tackling terrorism, combining the security and military dimensions with economic development plus international and regional cooperation, Mr. Hilale said.
This approach is in line with the Moroccan African policy which seeks to give birth to a more effective South-South cooperation model, he added, noting that Morocco has always promoted economic and human development in Africa and invests in tangible outcomes in several African nations. Such investments target and aim to deliver better living standards for the most marginal populations.
Morocco has made efforts, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, to preserve and promote a moderate, tolerant and open Islam, Mr. Hilale said, noting that the Mohammed VI Institute for Training of Imams, Morchidin and Morchidate (religious preachers) has trained 1,754 Imams from several African countries.
He also recalled that Morocco has set up the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema, with the main objective of coordinating the efforts of African Muslim Ulema in order to promote and strengthen the values of tolerance enshrined by Islam.