PSC/PR/BR.2(DLX) Page 1 PRESS STATEMENT The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 560th meeting held on 26 November 2015, was briefed by the Commission on the follow-up to, and implementation of, communiqué PSC/AHG/COMM.(CDLV) adopted by the 455th meeting of Council held at the level of Heads of State and Government in Nairobi, Kenya, on 2 September 2014. Council took note of the statements made by the representatives of France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as well as by the United Nations Secretariat and the European Union (EU). Council recalled its earlier pronouncements on the issue of terrorism and violent extremism in Africa. Council reemphasized the critical importance of communiqué PSC/AHG/COMM.(CDLV), which articulated a comprehensive framework for the implementation of the AU and international counter-terrorism instruments in Africa. Council reiterated the AU’s concern at the seriousness of the threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism in different parts of the Continent, as shown by the attacks carried out in Bamako, Mali, Tunis, Tunisia, and in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, in the course of November 2015, and the continued terrorist activities in the Lake Chad Basin, Somalia and Libya. Council noted that these attacks were taking place against the backdrop of a global rise in terrorist activities, with the emergence of the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria and the expansion of its activities in other parts of the world, as illustrated, among others, by the terrorist attacks committed in Istanbul, Turkey, in October 2015, and in Beirut and Paris, in November 2015. Council noted with deep concern the expansion into Africa of the activities of the so-called IS, to which a number of groups have pledged allegiance. In this respect, Council noted the continued expansion of IS activities in Libya and the reported flow of foreign terrorist elements to Libya from Syria and Iraq, due to the increasing military pressure on the IS in these two countries. Council stressed that this situation will have serious implications for security and stability on the African Continent. Council reiterated the AU’s total rejection of all acts of terrorism and violent extremism by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes. Council reiterated the AU’s determination to rid Africa of the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism, which cannot be justified under any circumstances, noting that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or group. Council expressed the AU’s full solidarity with the affected countries and the victims of terrorism, both within and outside the Continent. Council emphasized the need for renewed efforts to combat extremism and obscurantist religious interpretations that foster radicalization and intolerance. Council noted that these interpretations, which are promoted by foreign preachers and other actors, are a threat to African security and stability and should be strongly fought against. Council reiterated its deep concern at the reported financial flows from outside the Continent in support of terrorist and extremist groups, and the need to investigate the matter, with a view to determining the extent of the problem and making recommendations on how to address it.