Roundup: Experts call for targeted measures to defeat terrorism

Countries affected by terrorism should focus on targeted interventions like improved surveillance, prosecution and investments in programs that lure the youth away from joining radical groups.

International security experts, policymakers, diplomats and scholars attending a regional anti-terrorism conference in Nairobi said Friday that governments must radically change their approach to fighting a menace that has capacity to mutate fast.

The three-day regional conference on countering violent extremism was attended by over 300 delegates from 40 countries.

Experts agreed the global community must be prepared to fight terrorism for the long haul as the vice acquire new sophistication and defy socioeconomic and geographical barriers to spread tentacles.

Jehangir Khan, Director of the UN Counter-terrorism Implementation Taskforce (CTITF), said terrorism remains the most pressing security challenge globally.

"Terrorist networks continue to flourish despite military response hence the need for us to change tactics since we are fighting an enemy that is opaque, vicious and resilient," Khan remarked

Khan said that terror hotspots including the horn of Africa, the Sahel region, Syria and Iraq have experienced a disruption of economic activities.

"Terrorism is to blame for the worst refugee crises since the Second World War. Violent extremism has also disrupted humanitarian activities in Somalia, northern Nigeria, Syria and Iraq" said Khan, adding that United Nations support strategic partnerships to nip terrorism in the bud.

He stressed that inter-state cooperation, capacity building of law enforcement agencies and robust engagement with civilians are key to deter the spread of violent ideologies.

"Capacity building for national institutions and sharing of best practices among states are critical to strengthen the fight against violent extremism. States must involve civilians in counter-terrorism," Khan remarked.

Sarah Sewall, United States Under-Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, noted that terrorism is a global security challenge that demands robust, targeted and innovative responses.

"Terrorists are always ahead of the curve in terms of messaging and execution of their diabolical agenda. We must devise ways to neutralize them before they achieve their evil mission," Sewall remarked

She urged countries affected by terrorism to establish safety nets for vulnerable youth, upgrade surveillance technology and promote civilians policing.

Inter-state cooperation in key areas like intelligence gathering, border controls and joint combats will deal a fatal blow to activities of radical groups.

The Kenyan Principal Secretary for Internal Security Monica Juma stressed that solidarity among states and non state actors is key to disrupt and degrade terrorist infrastructure.

"We must sustain a conversation to have clarity on the threat of terrorism. Our focus should be more on preemptive measures," Juma told delegates, adding that countries affected by terrorism should explore amnesty for radicalized youth while countering messages that ensnare them to militants.

She revealed that hundreds of Kenyan youth have disowned violent extremism thanks to a deracialization program implemented by state agencies.

"We have reorganized our counter-terrorism strategies to focus on initiatives that insulate the youth from embracing violent ideologies," said Juma.

Edward Flynn, a senior official at the UN counter-terrorism executive directorate said that effective law enforcement, good governance and robust partnership between governments and civilians will help identify and isolate terrorists.

"There is need to adapt new methods to re-energize the fight against terrorism. They include intensive surveillance on theatres of recruitment that include social media and learning institutions, " said Flynn, adding that governments must empower a critical mass of influential voices to spread messages that exhort moderation, tolerance and dialogue among civilizations.

Maria Nzomo, Director of School of Diplomacy and International Studies at the University of Nairobi, stressed that governments should engage religious, cultural and political icons to counter violent extremism.

"Voices of moderation and sanity should be empowered to counter violent ideologies propagated by terrorists who seek to destroy civilizations and impose their barbarity on innocent people," said Nzomo. Endi