“Transnational organized crime, terrorism and separatism are closely linked, threaten regional and international peace and security, and undermine the stability and territorial integrity of States,” Hilale said during a debate held Thursday at the Council under the theme “Peace and Security in Africa: Strengthening the fight against the financing of armed groups and terrorists through the illicit trafficking of natural resources,” under the chairmanship of Michael Moussa-Adamo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gabon, which assumes the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, for the month of October.
The ambassador reiterated, on this occasion, the firm commitment of Morocco to fight and pursue its regional and international cooperation, to put an end to the sources of financing of armed groups, terrorists and separatists, in order to promote peace and stability in Africa and in the world.
Noting that the illicit trafficking of fish and wildlife resources, oil and gas products, precious stones and metals and illegal exploitation of forests and coal are widespread forms of financing terrorism and armed groups in Africa, Hilale stressed the need for the international community to mobilize more and urgently to prevent and combat these activities and asphyxiate these groups undermining peace and regional and international security.
He said that in accordance with its international obligations, Morocco, party to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, considers the financing of terrorism as a serious crime in national legislation and regulations.
Referring to the actions undertaken by the Kingdom to fight the financing of terrorism, including through the illicit exploitation of natural resources, the ambassador cited the establishment of a multidimensional and proactive strategy combining both a holistic approach and pioneering initiatives integrating the legal, institutional, financial and security components.
