Security chiefs from 30 countries to discuss extremism

What you need to know:

  • “The role of the social media and the mainstream media in promoting extremist ideologies will not be overlooked in the conference, as it is now emerging that terrorist groups have been recruiting through the social media and promoting their propaganda through the media,” said Interior PS Monica Juma.
  • Besides discussing the drivers of radicalisation among the youth, the conference will offer lessons on insulating protected places from becoming breeding grounds for extremists.

Security ministers from over 30 countries and experts on terrorism meet in Nairobi next month to discuss ways of combating violent extremism.

They will be among the participants in a conference to be held from June 24 to 28, which will also be attended by representatives of civil society groups, faith-based organisations, the private sector and community leaders, according to the Interior ministry.

“The role of the social media and the mainstream media in promoting extremist ideologies will not be overlooked in the conference, as it is now emerging that terrorist groups have been recruiting through the social media and promoting their propaganda through the media,” said Interior PS Monica Juma.

The conference will be a follow-up to the White House Summit held in February, which resolved that regional forums be launched as a build-up to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015. Combating violent extremism will be discussed in the assembly.

During the White House summit, Kenya pledged to convene a regional conference on extremism because it is on the frontline in the global war against terrorism, Dr Juma said.

BREEDING GROUNDS FOR EXTREMISM

Besides discussing the drivers of radicalisation among the youth, the conference will offer lessons on insulating protected places from becoming breeding grounds for extremists.

“Kenya has suffered from the use of protected spaces such refugee camps, education institutions, mosques, prisons and welfare and assistance centres to propagate violent extremism,” she said.

The country is vulnerable to terrorist attacks because it shares a border with Somalia, where Al-Shabaab is based, she noted.

An infiltration by Al-Shabaab is one of the biggest security challenges as the terrorist group has lured youths, radicalised, trained and deployed them to plan and launch attacks, said Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery.

He said the conference would offer a platform to debate, exchange perspectives and develop joint action plans for tackling violent extremism in Africa.

It will discuss, among other issues, the types of extremism in Africa, how extremist networks organise themselves to stay ahead of security forces and the narratives that promote extremism.

National Counter-Terrorism Centre Director Isaac Ochieng Friday launched a website that will be open to the public to register to participate in the conference, which is expected to bring together some 300 participants.