Africa-Arab summit declares war against terrorism

One of the best-known acts of terrorism, in which airliners were hijacked and blown up in North Africa. (Image: NASA, via Wikimedia Commons)

In a communiqué issued at the end of the summit, the Heads of State and Government agreed to exchange intelligence to combat terrorism and other international crimes.

The Kuwait Declaration, read out by Kuwait's Foreign Undersecretary Khalid Al-Jarallah at Bayan Palace, summit venue, said the leaders, who included President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, expressed their firm stance against terrorism.

"We agree to enhance co-operation and co-ordination between African and Arab countries to combat terrorism, including criminalising ransom payment to terrorists and confronting transnational crime to further support international efforts," the leaders resolved.

They also condemned organised crime such as hostage-taking, human and drug trafficking, piracy and proliferation of arms and said they would do everything to resolves the vices.

The leaders also renewed their commitment to the common principles of respect for national sovereignty of States and their territorial integrity as enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the Charter of the League of Arab States.

The Heads of State and Government stressed their commitment to the protection of human rights and respect for international humanitarian law so that it can contribute to global security, stability, and development.

They also re-affirmed their resolve to strengthen cooperation between Africa and the Arab region on the basis of a strategic partnership to maintain justice, international peace and security. The leaders welcomed the progress made by African and Arab countries in improving respect for human rights and good governance in their respective regions.

"We strongly condemn terrorism and trafficking of all forms in Africa and in the Arab Region, particularly in the Sahelo-Saharan Region epitomised by the severe crisis in Mali, and request Africa and the Arab countries to support the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel," the communiqué said.

The leaders also agreed to decisively address the causes of conflict and violence in Africa and the Arab world and thus create a conducive environment for prosperity of the people of the two regions.