Joint Statement of the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum on the implementation of the Declaration of the Second Russia-Africa Summit on strengthening cooperation in the fight against terrorism (Russian Federation, Sirius Federal Territory, 10 November 2024)

We, the Foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation and African States recognized by the United Nations (UN), Leadership of the African Union Commission and of executive bodies of the leading African integration organizations, as well as their representatives, gathered on 10 November 2024 in the Russian Federation, Sirius Federal Territory, to participate in the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum.

We strongly condemn all acts, methods and practices of terrorism, which are never justifiable, regardless of motivation or context. We denounce terrorism in all forms and manifestations, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. We reject politicization and double standards in countering terrorism.

We emphasize the importance of continuing to implement the provisions of the Declaration on Strengthening Counter-Terrorism Cooperation adopted at the Second Russia-Africa Summit (St. Petersburg, July 28, 2023) by the Heads of State and Government of the Russian Federation and African countries, representatives of the African Union and other leading African integration associations.

We reaffirm our interest in developing joint cooperation in the field of countering international terrorism and confirm that the main efforts in this area should be concentrated on suppressing the activities of international terrorist organizations and their affiliates, as well as the prevention of terrorism, while remaining in compliance with international law, including international human rights law, international humanitarian law and international refugee law.

We remain committed to addressing the various factors and root causes that may contribute to the expansion of the influence of terrorist organizations in Africa.

We condemn the misuse of information and telecommunication networks for terrorist purposes including planning, radicalization, recruitment and terrorist financing.

We support open and constructive counter terrorism dialogue and cooperation between the Russian Federation and African States through:

The development and implementation of measures to disrupt and suppress terrorist organizations and their financing channels, including knowledge sharing on emerging risks and threats;

Strengthening cooperation between the competent authorities of the states in the exchange of information within the framework of national legislation, on the activities of terrorist organizations;

Continuation of coordinated preventive and investigative measures to counter terrorism, violent extremism, conducive to terrorism, as well as terrorist financing, the use of the internet for terrorist purposes, and transnational organized crime;

Organization of events for the exchange of experience in combating terrorist manifestations, including the rehabilitation and reintegration of persons linked to terror related activities;

Implementation of a comprehensive regional development policy on the African continent, which can accompany the security response to this scourge;

Strengthening efforts to prevent terrorism and fight against violent extremism, conducive to terrorism, through the exploration of means to develop a de-radicalization policy;

Exchange of experience and expertise in de-radicalisation policies, combining political, economic, social, cultural and religious measures as well as the involvement of public institutions and civil society.

We note and encourage the sharing of experience between the law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation and some African countries, both in the framework of training personnel and the participation of Russian experts in field trainings with some state’s law enforcement officers as well as staff of relevant UN peacekeeping missions.

We welcome progress and prospects in interaction between Russia and specific specialized agencies in Africa on work towards combating the financing of terrorism and money laundering.

We confirm the importance of dynamic and ongoing coordination with various relevant international and regional intergovernmental organizations and structures to strengthen the capacity of African States to prevent radicalization and combat terrorism and the financing thereof.

We recognize and respect the sovereignty, agency and independence of African States and reaffirm the need to jointly oppose neo-colonialism, as stated in the Declaration of the Second Russia-Africa Summit (St. Petersburg, July 28, 2023).

We believe that effective cooperation in combating terrorism and violent extremism, conducive to terrorism, remains a crucial aspect of Russia's ongoing relations with the States of the African continent.