Anti-extremist meeting focuses on drones, social media use

COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE COMBINED JOINT TASK FORCE – HORN OF AFRICA (CJTF-HOA) BRIGADIER GENERAL WAYNE W. GRIGSBY JR. GAVE REMARKS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY

The use of drones and spread of violent extremism messages using various media outlets including social media is being discussed at a week-long meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, organized by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) which opened on February 24, 2014.

Benjamin P. Nice (Dr) an assistant professor of transnational threats and counter terrorism at the center which was established in 1999 says as violent extremism threatens many parts of Africa including the Sahel region and eastern Africa.

The center is one of the five academically focused, U.S Department of Defense Regional Centers and has a mandate to engage African partners, states and institutions through focused and efficient academic and outreach programs.

“The use of social networks like twitter and other communication technologies be it radio and television is one of the issues under discussion” stated Nice adding that the center since 2011has been organizing seminars on countering violent extremism among the youth starting with Dakar, Senegal.

One point of discussion the center has been pointing out is the relationship between youth radicalization and the role development can play in countering violent extremism.  

The seminar which is being held in the premises of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) also aims to discuss topics such as improving peacekeeping operations, countering illicit trafficking in the Trans-Sahel region and Trans Atlantic Maritime Criminal Justice among several items of discussion.

The opening ceremony of the seminar was started with a speech by Taye Astekselassie director of the Americas desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs   

Other attendees Include Michael E. Garrison acing director of ACSS,  and Patricia M. Haslach US ambassador to Ethiopia. During the opening of the meeting Ambassador Haslach, Brigadier General Grigsby Jr. gave an update on CJTF-HOA’s activities and programs in countering violent extremism, specifically its efforts in messaging and strategic communications, as well as strengthening partner capacity.

The General explained that changing attitudes is feasible, but changing behaviors is much more difficult, specifically regarding violent extremism.

Ambassador Sahboun and Mr. Otim each presented their organizations’ understanding of violent extremism and extremist messaging in the region.  Ambassador Sahboun explained that the Arab League holds regular conferences addressing countering violent extremism with Arab and African countries, and he stressed that working across all levels and sectors is paramount.

Mr. Otim touched on the persistent challenge of defining terminology regarding violent extremism and terrorism, but he emphasized that this should not translate into inaction and complacency when dealing with these issues.

The week-long workshop in Addis Ababa provides a venue for approximately 60 participants from nations in and around the Horn of Africa, U.S. government officials, civil society leaders, and experts from international organizations to discuss strategic approaches to countering violent extremist messaging in the region.  Among the workshop’s goals are to facilitate cooperation and discussion among governments in the Horn of Africa and its environs; to enhance and institutionalize cooperation among security forces and to generate a network to promote democratic governance. 

ACSS is the pre-eminent institution for strategic security studies, research, and outreach in Africa. The Africa Center engages African partner states and institutions through rigorous academic and outreach programs that build strategic capacity and foster long-term, collaborative relationships.

Over the past 14 years, more than 6,000 African and international leaders have participated in over 200 ACSS programs.