Prime CS and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi has warned conflicts in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East will escalate terror risks globally.
Speaking in Budapest during his official visit, Mudavadi said terrorism remains a threat in the world, and thrives in “an environment of lawlessness, where there is disorder and conflict”.
“In the Horn of Africa there are some conflicts around the DRC and Sudan, conflicts emerging in South Sudan, and still in some sections in Somalia.
“All these, and of course the challenge in the Middle East, contribute to the higher risks that terrorism could bring not just there but across the world,” Mudavadi said during a Q&A session.
The PCS noted that through collaboration with partners such as Hungary, countries can develop ways of minimizing terror threats.
He, however, noted the priority should be in ending conflicts across the world.
“The same way there is determination now in Europe to end the conflict in Ukraine with Russia, we also look forward to the same efforts towards ending conflicts in Africa,” Mudavadi said, suggesting a feeling of abandonment by the West in regional wars.
Hungary Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó had in his statement said terrorism had become a huge threat in Europe and Africa.
“Last year, the political organisations committed horrible crimes in Africa resulting in close to 20,000 fatalities. We need to increase efforts to combat terrorism,” Minister Szijjártó said.
He added that terrorism was one of the key factors contributing to migration, and that the numbers to Europe might reach uncontrollable levels in future.
“The population in Africa will by 2050 increase by 20 million, which means 27 per cent of the global population will be in Africa. If we can’t restrict terrorism, then we are going to face a huge wave of migration.
“Together we must ensure economic, social, health and educational prosperity in Africa that would provide opportunities for Africans to live in their countries and to contribute to the success and prosperity of their countries through talent and work,” Szijjártó said.
Sudan is currently in full-scale war, while South Sudan is on the brink of instability following fighting in the upper Nile, and the crackdown of the officials linked to the opposition in government.
Somalia is still facing political and security instability, especially the terror threat from al Shabaab
While the terror attacks have significantly reduced in Kenya, Somalia remains a soft target.
On Tuesday, the al Qaeda-linked group claimed responsibility for an attack at a hotel in Beledweyne, Central Somalia, and said it had killed over 10 people. Official sources said seven.
Local elders and government officials were meeting at the hotel to discuss measures to take against the terror group.
Elsewhere, at least 10 people, including eight al Shabaab fighters, were killed in fighting in a village in the Middle Shabelle region in southern Somalia.
AU Political Affairs, Peace and Security Commissioner Ambassador Bankole Adeoye told the UNSC on January 21, 2025 that in 2024 alone, the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre (AUCTC) recorded over 3,400 terrorist attacks on the continent.
“These attacks resulted in over 13,900 fatalities. Indeed, this is a damning challenge facing Africa. We have reached a tipping point and we must act together in response,” Adeoye said.
