3,000 to 6,000 African youths join terror groups: AU official

African countries are concerned about the possible return of some 3000 to 6000 youths who joined the Islamic State (IS), an African Union (AU) official said on Tuesday.

Smail Chergui, AU's commissioner for Peace and Security, told the national radio that these youth fighters, returning home to join terrorist groups in the Middle East is a real threat to Africa.

However, the AU official urged African nations to draw up a "deradicalization system" to encourage people to adopt more moderate views in terms of religion, saying no country in the region is safe from terrorist acts.

He also noted that the establishment of Afripol, Africa's police cooperation mechanism, "would boost cooperation and coordination of efforts among African police bodies to efficiently deal with the spread of transnational terrorism and organized crime."

Chergui pleaded for identifying the real causes of radicalization and putting a strategy that deters youngsters to take the path of violence.

He said that the military action is not enough to fight against terrorism, as governments should launch economic projects that generate jobs for youth and meet their socio-economic needs. Endit