Regarding transnational security threats facing the continent, Egyptian leaders will now inform the African Union (AU) replacing Nigeria in the one-year chairmanship.
This week, Egypt was named the new chair of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa.
Upon assuming the role from Nigeria, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi highlighted his commitment to addressing cross-border terrorism as a major challenge to AU member states. In particular, groups like Boko Haram continue to conduct attacks and kidnappings in Nigeria and elsewhere in the region.
Nigeria has dealt with significant internal violence for several years. Boko Haram terrorist group and militant Fulani herdsmen have been attacking the country. Thousands have been killed or abducted by these two groups, and hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced.
1,900 civilians and government employees were killed by Boko Haram and Fulani militants in 2020. The majority of the violence is concentrated in Christian crowded areas of the Middle Belt region.