Gambari Warns Over 1,000 Terror Groups Operating in Africa
Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and one-time Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has raised alarm that more than 1,000 terrorist and insurgent groups are currently active across Africa.
Gambari gave the warning on Monday at the Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit held in Abuja, where military leaders from across the continent gathered to deliberate on regional security challenges and ways of strengthening cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism.
According to him, the growing number of armed groups operating in different parts of the continent has made Africa the new centre of global terrorism. He cautioned that the rising threats could undermine peace, stability, and development if urgent and collective action is not taken.
“Africa today is home to over 1,000 terrorist organisations,” Gambari said. “The scale of the threat is unprecedented and cannot be addressed by any country acting alone. Regional cooperation and international support are vital.”
The former UN official also backed calls for the United Nations to provide up to 75 percent of funding for African-led counter-terrorism operations, stressing that predictable financial support would allow countries on the continent to better tackle the crisis.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who declared the summit open, said threats of terrorism and insurgency were spreading rapidly across the region. He urged African states to work closely through joint operations, intelligence sharing, and capacity building.
“Security challenges do not respect borders. We must therefore strengthen partnerships and build a continental defence system that responds swiftly and effectively,” Musa said.
The summit comes at a time when extremist groups such as ISIS-Sahel and al-Qaeda affiliates are expanding beyond the Sahel into coastal West African states. Recent security reports have shown increased attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, with growing concerns about infiltration into the Gulf of Guinea.
The Abuja meeting is expected to produce recommendations on improved multinational operations, sustainable financing for counter-terrorism missions, and enhanced maritime security strategies.
Gambari’s remarks add urgency to ongoing debates on how best to equip African states with the resources and partnerships needed to confront one of the continent’s most pressing security challenges.
