Liberia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Robert Y. Lormia, II, has expressed unhappiness of the pledge to eradicate international terrorism, thereby increasing acts of terrorism as well as swelling the number of terrorist organizations around the world.
In an interaction at the Annual Joint Consultative meeting between the African Union Peace and Security Council and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Amb. Lormia urged African states, especially those in West Africa that have been vulnerable to terrorism to take up their own fight and reduce dependence on external support to combat terrorism, which, according to him, normally come with difficult benchmarks to meet.
He recalled that in the wake of the September 11, 2001 twin terrorist attacks on the United States of America, the world was rallied to the sole objective of eradicating the scourge of international terrorism, but nearly 24 years after this solemn pledge was made, the acts of terrorism have increased upwards of more 85 internationally recognized terror organizations around the world, with West Africa not being spared.
According to him, the lack of commitment to eradicate terror has threatened peace, security and stability in the ECOWAS Region in particular with Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria feeling the greatest impact.
Amb. Lormia further indicated that the worsening security situation in the Sahelian region spreading towards the coastal region noting, that the entire region was on time bomb.
The Liberian Diplomat noted that what was even alarming about the threat of terrorism in the region was the withdrawal of the countries directly hardest hit by terrorism chose to withdraw from ECOWAS which has always operated as a strong unit to maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.
Liberia Ambassador to Nigeria also singled out technology (Artificial Intelligence) and propaganda as the instruments being effectively utilized by terrorists to spread their influence.
In order to reverse the threat of terrorism in the region, Amb. Lormia urged countries in the region to positively and effectively utilize the communication system through the academia and the media.
In this regard, he called for a hand-on approach in managing the application of Artificial Intelligence, which, according to him, has been unleashed on the vulnerable parts of the world as the newest weapon to control and manipulate the minds of the people.
However, the Diplomat called for effective and efficient governance in which transparency, accountability and the equitable distribution of the natural resources, thereby reducing poverty and misery.
He said once the people are happy over their governance, they will have no cause to search for opportunities elsewhere. Amb. Lormia indicated that the search of better living conditions lead people in the traps of terrorists and other illegal activities. “Another means by which the region can effectively combat terrorism is by reducing heavy dependence on external support”, which, according to him, normally come difficult benchmarks to meet.
He called on countries in the region to enhance inter-state cooperation, sharing of intelligence and acting collaboratively to combat terrorism where it may be found on the African continent.
During the two-day consultative meeting, Ambassador Lormia was recognized by some of his colleagues and staff at the AU as a skillful diplomat and leader who left an indelible mark on the works of the powerful Peace and Security Council of the African Union which he chaired on behalf of Liberia for the month of October, 2019.
The most notable of these recognitions came from the Head of the AU Peace and Security Council and the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union who had closely worked with him during his tenure on the Council.
During his chairmanship and head of the AUPSC Ambassador Lormia hosted and co-chaired the 4th Informal Meeting and 13th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting Between the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council on October 23-24, 2019.
Ambassador Lormia has acquired a wealth of knowledge and experience with ECOWAS as an expert on the Technical Committee of Political Affairs Peace and Security with many years of practical experience in political affairs, peace and security before ascending to the AU to become the first Liberian diplomat to chair the African Union Peace and Security Council.
