06/22/2002
EDITORIAL NUMBER=0-09960

AFRICA AGAINST TERRORISM

Support for the U.S.-led coalition against terrorism continues to grow throughout Africa. Many African leaders recognize that their countries have become a breeding ground for international terrorists.

Most terrorist attacks in Africa stem from internal conflicts and regional wars. But terrorist organizations with radical Islamic ties have been building a presence in Africa. These groups include al-Qaida and Lebanese Hezbollah. They are able to flourish in African countries with weak governments -- governments that are unable to monitor terrorist activities or strike against them.

In fact, Africa was the setting for the worst al-Qaida terrorist attacks before September 11th. On August 7th, 1998, a bomb exploded at the rear entrance of the U.S. embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, killing two-hundred-ninety one people and injuring over five-thousand. Almost simultaneously, a bomb was detonated outside the U.S. embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, killing ten and injuring over seventy.

After the embassy bombings, African leaders pledged to fight terrorism. Nigeria has the highest population of Muslims on the African continent. Nigeria's President, Olusegun Obasanjo (o-LOO-shagoon o-BAH-san-joe), has said that his country "will remain steadfastly part of the coalition" against terrorism and will work to serve as a bridge between the West and the Islamic world.

Senegal has been another leader in the African response to terrorism. Senegal's central bank and regional banks based in Dakar have modified regulations to block terrorist funding. Senegal has also created a regional counterterrorism intelligence center with assistance from the U.S.

Senegal's President, Abdoulaye Wade (ahb-doo-LYE-eh WAHD), is working with other African leaders to adopt an African Pact Against Terrorism. The pact would expand the African anti-terrorism agreement adopted in 1999 in response to the U.S. embassy bombings. President Wade told President George W. Bush that he expects the pact will be signed at an African summit this summer.

International unity against terrorism is essential. In the words of President Bush, "The civilized world is rallying to America's side. They understand that if this terror goes unpunished, their own cities, their own citizens may be next."