Global terror attacks require a united approach
THIS week the world was gripped by fear following a number of senseless terror acts perpetrated by some who use religion to drive their inhumane acts.
From Beirut in Lebanon to Paris in France and Yola in Nigeria, scores of people have been killed and hundreds injured in the latest terrorist attacks led by Islamic State (IS) and Boko Haram.
Indeed, we echo the words of condolences sent by President Jacob Zuma to the leaders of these nations and we condemn these acts in the strongest possible terms.
Terrorism remains a worldwide phenomenon that poses a direct threat to the national security interests of many countries.
South Africa has always maintained the global nature of terrorism makes all countries vulnerable. No country can claim to be immune.
How should the world deal with terrorism?
Recognising the global nature of this phenomenon, it is our view that nations must be united in their approach to dealing with terrorism.
It is for this reason that when addressing the Brics meeting on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Turkey this week, Zuma called for nation states to address the root causes of terrorism as a “critical step to find lasting solutions”.
In this regard, he also called for collective global action against all forms of terrorism, saying this must be done under the auspices of the UN.
When we attended the UN General Assembly on its 70th anniversary in September, we raised this view sharply as we called for reforms to the Security Council which are critical in giving direction to these matters.
The question of global security and terrorism in particular was discussed at this meeting, with nations of the world expressing a concern at the growing conflicts in several regions which undermine stability and security and provide fertile grounds for terrorist activities.
Is South Africa safe from terrorism?
Our country also battles with the issue of terrorism. In April we stopped a 15-year-old girl from Cape Town from making her way to the IS-held region in the Middle East. She had been recruited online via social media.
Online recruitment is rife, particularly among young people.
This is one manifestation of the threats and dangers that we are confronted with as South Africa and as countries of the world, which we reflected on during our meeting at the UN.
Radicalisation, extremism and terrorism pose a threat not only to people’s security but to the future of our children, as shown in the case of our very own young girl in Cape Town.
South Africa shares the current global concern over the threat posed by individuals travelling to IS-held territories to fight and then return to their home countries.
There is this threat of recruiting individuals, radicalising and influencing them to commit acts of terror.
In the global village we live in, people will continue to travel all over the world and in regions considered security hot spots. Recently, it was reported that a group of 11 South Africans had returned from an IS-held region.
Our responsibility as government agencies tasked with law enforcement is to engage people, either on departure or return, so that we can satisfy ourselves they have bona fide reasons for travelling to such volatile regions.
We are encouraged by the cooperation we are receiving from a number of community and religious groups and individuals who have pledged their support to working with authorities to raise awareness on these issues.
These individuals and community structures have made it clear that they will not stand by and watch while the future and aspirations of our young people are destroyed.
We welcome their commitment and urge others to follow suit.
While our information reveals there is no discernible threat facing our country, we must remain vigilant and not lower our guard.
The government will continue to monitor the situation and to share information with our counterparts in the intelligence community. We will continue to work with our Southern African Development Community partners through such structures as the Early Warning Centre in Gaborone, which monitors and coordinates information sharing and similar activities.
At the level of the AU, we are active participants on the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa.
This structure deals with stability, peace and security matters in Africa.
We will continue to work closely with the UN Committee on Counter Terrorism, sharing information on activities and/or individuals deemed to be involved in such activities.
This committee, among other things, keeps a database of all individuals and groups involved, in one way or another, in terror activities. Such information is shared regularly with member states to prevent the illicit movement of funds that support terror activities. Member states are also obliged to monitor and stop the movement of people associated with such activities.
The government will work tirelessly to do everything possible to ensure all our people are and feel safe.
Mahlobo is Minister of State Security.