Assembly/AU/Dec.15 (II) Page 1 DECISION ON TERRORISM IN AFRICA The Assembly: 1. EXPRESSES CONCERN over the increasing threat posed by international terrorism, in particular the expanding terrorist networks and the impact of such activities on the security situation and the socio-economic development of the Continent; 2. WELCOMES the entry into force, on 6 December 2002, of the Algiers 1999 Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and URGES all Member States that have not yet done so to become parties to the Convention as a matter of priority; 3. ENDORSES the Plan of Action and the recommendations of the Inter-Governmental High Level Meeting on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism in Africa, held in Algiers, from 11 – 14 September 2002; 4. REQUESTS the Commission to take the steps required for the implementation of the Plan of Action and, in this regard, TAKES NOTE of the initial steps taken, in conjunction with the Government of Algeria, on the establishment of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism; 5. FURTHER REQUESTS the Commission, in consultation with Member States, to finalize the Draft Protocol to the Algiers Convention for submission to the next Session of the Assembly.