PSC/AHG/COMM.1(DLXXI) Page 2 6. Reiterates its deep concern over the increasing capacity of terrorist organizations to continue to finance their activities through a variety of means connected to transnational organized crime, such as piracy, kidnap-for-ransom (KFR), drug and human trafficking, selling of antiquities, and illegal exploitation and selling of natural resources. Council stresses the need to take all necessary measures to fight terrorist financing and for Member States to work towards developing common standards to better track terrorist financing and its sources in accordance with the relevant African and international instruments. In this regard, Council looks forward to the immediate convening of a high-level meeting of Member States on the issue of financing of terrorism, with a view to identifying practical measures to address this problem more effectively. In this context, Council welcomes the offer by Algeria to host the meeting. Council further welcomes the steps taken to operationalize the African Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), as part of the efforts to combat transnational organized crime and terrorism; 7. Reiterates its strong condemnation of the terrorist attacks that continue to be carried out against public places, including educational institutions, hotels, markets and places of worship, resulting in the death of hundreds, wounding many more and leading to displacements of millions. Council notes that the recent attacks in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, and Somalia were taking place against the backdrop of a global rise in terrorist activities; 8. Notes with deep concern that the various recent attacks on the continent are a reminder of the harsh reality of brutal acts of terrorism, which cause mass casualties, thereby undermining the capacities of Member States to adequately provide for state and human security. Council further notes that the phenomenon of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF) is especially of increasing concern, as more Africans are reported to be joining the ranks of the so-called IS, and calls on the international partners to enhance assistance through sharing with AU Member States, lists of their nationals that have been identified as FTFs; 9. Reiterates further the AU’s outrage at the despicable use of children by terrorist groups to carry out attacks and the AU’s total rejection of all acts of terrorism and violent extremism and its determination to rid Africa of the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism, which cannot be justified under any circumstances; 10. Acknowledges the progress made on the ground by the Troop Contributing Countries to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group. Council also notes that the areas that had previously been under the control of this group, have been fully recovered by the Nigerian armed forces. Council commends Nigeria for its previous financial contribution to the MNJTF and for its decision, as announced, to make further contribution to the Force; 11. Commends the efforts of the AU Commission towards continued assistance to Member States on the effective implementation of the AU counter‐terrorism framework. In this regard, Council further commends the support provided to Member States in reviewing