Africa and terrorism: Joining the global campaign

Apart from the widespread use of terror by local, national and regional groups;a global resurgence in international terrorism had been underway for some time when the attacks on the World Trade Centre and other symbolic targets in the United States focused the world's attention on the new treats of the post-Cold War era. The events of 11 September 2001 reflect public evidence of an intensifying global security problem that will demand a global response - including one from Africa and its constituent states. Earlier, in July 1999, African leaders adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Combating for Terrorism that set out a common African position on combating terrorism. The subsequent ratification and enactment of the Convention has, however, been halting and slow. The more recent Constitutive Act of the African Union, declared, among its principles, its demand for "respect for the sanctity of human life, condemnation and rejection of impunity and political assassination, acts of terrorism and subversive activities". The AU is clearly seeking to reinvigorate the African contribution to this global campaign. The various aspects discussed in this monograph seek to support that undertaking. This volume includes chapters on the changed global context;human right human rights issues;how the state response impacts on security sector reform, terrorism and extradition and refugee law;as well as selected country case studies.