Ms. Gemma Huggins - Australia's Counter-terrorism Ambassador. Credit : Australian High Commission
Australia’s counter-terrorism ambassador has said extremist groups are increasingly using illicit mining to fund global networks, warning that new technologies are also transforming how violent groups operate in West Africa.
Speaking at the West Africa Mining Security Conference in Accra on Tuesday, Ms. Gemma Huggins stressed that, “terrorism and violent extremism remain the region’s greatest challenges.”
She noted that, “Australia remains deeply concerned by the destabilising impact it has on regional security and development. It impedes sustainable development and erodes human rights. It undermines economic growth, food security and social cohesion, and it exacerbates displacement.”
Ms. Huggins said illicit mining is now a key source of extremist financing. “Terrorist affiliates across the continent are playing increasingly significant roles in generating funding and propaganda for networks operating elsewhere in the world, and much of that funding stemming one way or another from illicit mining operations and resource extraction.”
She warned that extremists were becoming more sophisticated. “The complex threat environment in West Africa is further complicated by new technologies that are revolutionising the way violent extremist groups operate and recruit, requiring us to be agile and innovative to adapt to the threat they pose.”
Australia, she said, is backing African-led responses. “Australia both respects and endorses the principle of African-led and African-owned solutions. Our investments in counter-terrorism training academies in Côte d’Ivoire and Morocco reflect this commitment to facilitating knowledge exchange among African security practitioners.”