Position Paper

We would like to start with a definition of terrorism adopted in January 2006 by the UN
General Assembly (Resolution 60/43), defining terrorist acts as “criminal acts intended or
calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular
persons for political purposes.”.
Terrorism in the 1990s and early 2000s was somehow episodic being limited to certain
areas such as Liberia, Algeria, or Uganda. One of the most impactful terrorist attacks
happened on September 11, 2001, that not only that was the cause of the Afghanistan war
against terrorist organization al-Qaeda but also, precipitated a fundamental shift in
multilateral counterterrorism. Within two weeks of 9/11, the Security Council passed
Resolution 1373, a sweeping measure requiring all UN member states to strengthen their
domestic counterterrorism laws. The numbers began raising in 2009, following the emerge of
Boko Haram in Nigeria and the spread of al-Shabaab in Somalia, measuring a 200%
increase in radical groups and a 750% increase in casualties between 2009 and 2015.
Terrorism has an immense impact on people's lives not only in the countries where there is
an active terrorist conflict, but also on the global population, spreading fear and panic. If the
impact of terrorism is lasting, it becomes cultural: individuals change their habits and
behaviours, learning for example not to be passive in the event of a terrorist attack, and going
about their daily lives keeping in the back of their minds the possibility that a terrorist attack
could take place. They also consume differently, which has a number of effects, including
considerable economic ones. Terrorism changes people’s understanding of reality. Terrorist
acts can cause ripple effects through the economy that have negative impacts. The most
obvious is the direct economic destruction of property and lives. Terrorism indirectly affects
the economy by creating market uncertainty, xenophobia, loss of tourism, and increased
insurance claims.
Germany attaches very great importance to the fight against terrorism. For this reason,
considerable weight is given to effective criminal prosecution and successful prevention
within rule-of-law standards. From the German point of view, it is also indispensable to
work together closely at international level in the fight against terrorism. Germany continued
its CT cooperation with the United States and the international community as a member of
the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and the GCTF and in multilateral CT operations in
Africa and the Middle East. In 2019, Germany maintained funding for existing countering
terrorist radicalization and recruitment programs and earmarked a total of $255 million for
programs that target all types of terrorism, including a $118 million National Prevention
Strategy Against Islamist Extremism and special programs concerning returning FTFs and
their families. In 2019, Germany assumed co-leadership of the GCTF West Africa
Working Group. Working alongside and in support of countries in the East Africa Region
(Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Yemen), Local
Coordination Meetings are organized throughout the year, with the aim of promoting GCTF
Framework Documents, and providing follow-up and assistance on ongoing capacity-
building programs and activities in the region.
 Relations between Germany and Somalia have picked up considerably since 2012, as the
political situation has slowly improved in the country. Germany is considered a reliable
partner – one that is keen to promote a stable and democratic Somalia. The German
Government is one of the largest contributors to development cooperation with Somalia.
Furthermore, the German Government is involved in setting up a federal police force, as
well as in demobilising and reintegrating former al-Shabaab fighters. It also supports local
mediation and reconciliation processes, as well as efforts to control small arms. Moreover,
Germany participates in civilian and military EU and UN missions and operations. In
addition to seconding police officers to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia
(UNSOM), Germany takes part in the European Union’s counter-piracy Operation
Atalanta and contributes to the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia
(EUCAP Somalia), which is intended to enhance Somali capabilities in the field of maritime
security. The EU also has a military training mission in Somalia (EUTM SOM).
The government has also assisted in training the Nigerian Armed Forces to fight Boko
Haram. We condemn the acts of terror committed by Boko Haram in Nigeria in the
strongest possible terms. We are working together to combat the Islamist terrorism which is
taking such a terrible toll on Nigeria. We have expressly reassured Nigeria’s Foreign
Minister that Germany will support his country in the fight against Boko Haram. We
intensified our cooperation in the police and security sectors. We plan to set up projects to
support the families affected and the kidnapped girls’ villages. We also want to help with
conflict prevention. What is needed, alongside humanitarian assistance, are measures to
stabilise the region and restore civil order; only then can a process of sustainable
development begin. The Federal Government is working with its partners to end the
violence in north-east Nigeria, to help those suffering hardship and to support long-term
reconstruction.
We will try to further reinforce two key points in the war against terrorism in Somalia and
Nigeria. Port of Berberra ,the true key of the Red Sea, the centre of East African traffic, and
the only safe place for shipping upon the western Eritrean shore, from Suez to Guardafui. We
would like to try to fund the enforcement of the port to stop the threat of the pirates against
Somalia’s international shipping and stop the suppling of the radical groups with weapons
from abroad. One possible means of increasing economic activity is to build a special
economic zone in connection with Berbera Port , but this can only be done if we first create
a strong defense.Second of all we must help the population in the area of Lake Chad that is
suffering enourmous damage from the terrorist group Boko Haram and the climate change.
Despite years of humanitarian assistance, hunger and malnutrition in the Lake Chad Basin
have reached alarming levels this year. We must set up camps in the area to defend the
nearby civilians and export food and supplies to sustain the people’s lives.
These steps could make a huge improvement and help us get closer to stopping the
suppression of the terrorist groups in the African regions.