Zanzibar dialogues on countering violent extremism conclude
09/10/2018
The high-level conference organised by EIP brought together policy makers and international experts in Zanzibar to discuss the impact of international conflicts on violent extremism and effective response mechanisms.
4 October 2018 – Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Between 1 and 3 October 2018 a conference titled “Conflicts, Crises and Cooperation; their effects on violent extremism” was hosted jointly by the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The conference brought together high-level policy makers and leading international experts from East Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The meeting was jointly opened by Hon. Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs of Tanzania and Hon. Haroun Ali Suleiman, Minister State, President Office, Constitution, Legal affairs, Public Service and Good Governance.
Proceedings on Tuesday 2 October were dedicated to understanding the threat of violent extremism in East Africa, and how current crises and conflicts provide opportunities to violent extremist groups. The keynote address was delivered on by Abdullahi Hamud Mohamed, State Minister, Office of the Prime Minister, on behalf of H.E. Mahdi Mohamed Gulaid, Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia. Panel discussions focused on the war in Yemen, the future threat of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Horn of Africa, and the influence of Gulf countries in the Horn of Africa. Closing remarks for the day were delivered by Hon. Palamagamba Kabudi.
The sessions on 3 October focused on identifying effective international and local responses to violent extremism in East Africa. The keynote address was made by Hon. Dr. Adelardus Kilangi, the Attorney General of Tanzania, and panel discussions focused on the Ethiopia-Eritrea rapprochement, African experiences with preventing and countering violent extremism, sharing experiences between Europe and Africa, and the future of violent extremism in the Horn of Africa in the face of an AMISOM drawdown. Closing remarks were delivered by Hon. Issa Haji Ussi, Minister of State, President’s Office of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council.
The conference was organised by the European Institute of Peace and funded by the European Union.