Algiers, Algeria — December 1, 2025

Botswana has called for deeper collaboration between the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, warning that fragmented approaches risk undermining Africa’s security and development ambitions.

Speaking at a panel on AU–UN concerted action against terrorism in Algiers, Honourable Dr Phenyo Butale, Botswana’s Minister of International Relations, reminded delegates that extremist violence is not a distant concept but a lived reality across the continent.

“Terrorism and violent extremism are not abstract security concepts. It is a real and growing challenge that has affected all regions of Africa,” he said.

The minister’s remarks came against the backdrop of fresh tragedy in Nigeria, where schoolgirls and teachers were abducted in recent weeks. Dr. Butale asked the audience to stand in a moment of silence, underscoring the human cost of extremist violence and the urgency of collective action.

Regional Stakes

Africa’s struggle against terrorism has intensified in recent years, with insurgencies stretching from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa and extremist cells destabilizing communities in West and Central Africa. Analysts warn that these threats not only endanger lives but also derail economic growth, weaken governance, and erode public trust in institutions.

For Botswana, a member of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), the stakes are clear. “We are weary of the effects that have affected Africa’s vision for its people’s safety and economic development,” Dr. Butale said, stressing that no country can confront such challenges in isolation.

Three Priorities for Cooperation

Dr. Butale outlined three priorities for strengthening AU–UN collaboration:

•       Aligning frameworks: He cautioned against duplication of efforts, urging the AU and UN to harmonize their structures. “The real value lies in aligning our structures for greater and better effect,” he said, pointing to the potential synergy between the AU PSC and the UN Office on Counter-Terrorism.

•       Supporting African-led operations: Sustainable and predictable funding remains a critical gap. The minister highlighted ongoing discussions under UN Security Council Resolution 2719, encouraging partners to ensure African missions receive the backing they need.

•       Focusing on prevention: Beyond military responses, Dr. Butale argued that terrorism feeds on governance deficits, poverty, and social exclusion. He called for AU–UN cooperation to strengthen human rights, humanitarian law, youth empowerment, and economic opportunity.

A Force Multiplier

Concluding his remarks, Dr. Butale described AU–UN cooperation as a “force multiplier,” combining legitimacy, resources, and proximity to problem-solving. “Once we get this valued partnership right, we inch closer and closer to a peaceful, secure and resilient continent for our people — and indeed attaining the ‘Africa we want,’” he said.

Broader Context

The Algiers panel forms part of the Oran Process, a framework designed to deepen AU–UN collaboration through the A3+ grouping of African states at the UN Security Council. Observers say the process is vital for ensuring Africa’s voice is heard in global counter-terrorism debates, while also reinforcing African-led solutions on the ground.

As extremist violence continues to test Africa’s resilience, Botswana’s call reflects a wider continental push: that only through unity, coherence, and sustained support can Africa hope to secure its future.

Botswana ends its two-year mandate on the AU PSC in March 2026.