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U.S. proposes information center to fight extremism in Horn of Africa

Xinhua, June 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

The U.S. government has proposed the setting up of a center of excellence for counter-terrorism research based in East Africa to bolster the fight against armed terrorism.

U.S. Under-Secretary for Civilian Security and Human Rights, Sarah Sewell, said on Friday that Washington is prepared to support the setting up of an East African Center of Excellence to beef up the fight against armed extremism that would serve as a nerve center for exchange of information.

Sewell announced at a three-day regional conference on countering violent extremism underway in Nairobi that has brought together over 300 diplomats, security experts and civil society representatives from some 40 countries around the world.

The conference is discussing state response to a series of intensified terrorist attacks in Kenya, the worst-affected in the Horn of Africa and comparing lessons on how to deal with the threat of terrorism, radical extremism and hostile propaganda by terrorist groups.

U.S. government officials believe investing in counter- terrorism research is critical to efforts to develop sound policies on how to respond to the violent terrorism. And the efforts to stop violent extremism, the U.S. officials say, should focus on mobilizing communities to reject the terrorist propaganda.

"We plan to launch networks to promote the best approaches in countering violent extremism. The U.S. government will design financing mechanisms for these networks that promote research and community-driven counter-terrorism measures," Sewell said.

There is concern, however, that the lack of trust between communities affected by terrorism and the national police and security officials involved in the fight against terrorism.

Nna Emeka Okereke, a Nigerian counter-terrorism Expert, said the willingness by governments to use violence to counter extremism has increased the threat of extremist groups pose to others, included unarmed civilians.

Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto said at the opening of the meeting Thursday that groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) , Al-Qaida, Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab, continue to spread attacks on innocent victims. He said these groups are growing in numbers, and becoming sophisticated in operation, calling on international community to speak with one voice in to disrupt and degrade the terrorist infrastructure. Endi