African Union Counter Terrorism Centre - AUCTC

On the occasion of the 21 September, International Day of Peace, the African Union Counter TerrorismCentre (AUCTC) organized, on 20 September 2025, the second edition of its initiative Art for Peace, under the theme: “Act Now for a Peaceful Africa.”

This event brought together a large number of African embassies in Algeria. The diplomatic representations contributed to the richness of the gathering by sharing their traditional dishes, works of art, and cultural expressions.

The day was also highlighted by the participation of several artists, who, through music, painting, and other artistic forms, conveyed a message of peace, unity, and resilience.

Through this initiative, AUCTC reaffirms that art is a force for bringing people together and a tool for prevention, serving the construction of a peaceful and united future for Africa.

From January to March 2025, the African Union Counter Terrorism Centre - AUCTC recorded 943 terrorist attacks across Africa that resulted in 4, 296 deaths. 1,678 Security forces died, 1,249 Civilians were killed, 1,369 terrorists were eliminated.

The security situation in the Sahel remains fragile and characterized by incessant terrorist attacks, ethnic tensions, political fragility and rise in illicit economic activities. The last half-decade has seen consistent surge in terrorist activities across many parts of the region. Terrorism incidents in the region increased more than threefold in 2023 when compared to 2022 attacks, while deaths resulting from terrorist attacks increased by over 68%. In 2023, five of the ten most terrorism affected countries globally were recorded in Africa, of which four, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria are in the Sahel. Despite the worrying terrorism threat situation, it has not received the much-needed attention due in part to the region's repeated military coups and political turmoil.

Read more here: https://archives.au.int/handle/123456789/10696

On 28 September 2024, the African Union Counter Terrorism Centre - AUCTC as part of International Peace Day Celebrations, organized an Art for Peace at its Headquarters in Algiers Algeria 🇩🇿 .

The event brought together African Ambassadors in Algeria, artists, and African embassies, who showcased traditional art objects and typical dishes from their respective countries.

The event was aimed to celebrate the cultural diversity of the African continent and highlighted the importance of collaboration among African nations in promoting peace and security, especially in the area of preventing and countering terrorism and Violent Extremism (CT/PCVE).

The Ag. Director of AUCTC, Mr Mounir Idriss Lallali , while opening the event underscored the critical role that art can play to combat terrorism and prevent violent extremism. He further thanked the African Ambassador and their embassies for honoring the invitation, and contributing financially and logistically towards the successful organization of the event.

Ag. Director of African Union Counter Terrorism Centre - AUCTC , joins the 2nd Retreat of African Union Commission (AUC), AU Special Representatives of the Chairperson of Commission (SRCCs) and the United Nations Special Representatives of Secretary-General (UN SRSGs) and Special Envoys of the Secretary General (SESGs) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮. The Ag. Director will be briefing participants on the AU’s efforts to combat terrorism and AU CT reforms.

African Union Counter Terrorism Centre - AUCTC Ag. Director Idriss Lallali discusses how to navigate Africa’s security challenges and the African Union’s efforts to address them:

Navigating Africa's Security Challenges: An Interview with Mr. Idriss Mounir Lallali, Acting Director of the ACSRT – Africa Center English | Français | Português Mr. Idriss Mounir Lallali, a prominent figure in the realm of counterterrorism on the African continent, is a distinguished alumnus of the Africa Center. Since 2017, Mr. Lallali has served as the Deputy Director of the African Union’s African Centre for the Study a...

The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Embarked on a Benchmarking and Working Visit to the African Union Counter Terrorism Centre (AUCTC) based in Algiers Algeria from 17-20 September 2024.

The visit which comprises of technical IT Staff and Analysts from SADC Regional Early Warning Directorate and the SADC Regional Counter Terrorism Centre (RCTC) was aimed at learning from the AUCTC’s experiences and best practices on terrorism data collection, analysis and dissemination approaches and processes, in the framework of the AUCTC’s Continental Counterteroreiam Early Warning System.

Receiving the Delegation, the Acting Director of AUCTC , Mr Idriss Mounir LALLALI, welcomed the delegation to the AUCTC HQ and underscored the opportunity to collaborate with the SADC RCTC and share the experiences in combating terrorism and violent extremism in Africa. He further reiterated the desire of the AU to work closely and collaboratively with RECs and RMs within the principles of complementarity, subsidiarity and comparative advantage to avoid duplication of efforts of counterterrorism response approaches in Africa.

On his part, Mr Charles Zanza, Acting Senior Officer in Charge of the SADC Regional Early Warning and the head of the delegation, indicated that the SADC Secretariat believes that the AU-CTC, with its 20 years’ experience in CT capacity building, research and study of terrorism in Africa, is the right partner to help the SADC RCTC in its quest to become the southern Africa region's research centre of excellence regarding matters of terrorism and violent extremism.

The technical staff of the AUCTC took turns in briefing the delegation on the approaches, methodologies, analytical products, tools and techniques available at the AUCTC and how the SADC RCTC could benefit from same. The two institutions reiterated the need to strengthen the cooperation between them to effectively deliver on their respective mandates.

𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲.

This day of 𝟗 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 will always be full of memories but also of expectations. Remembering not only the first steps of this long-held political project of African unity, but also memory of the achievements made on the road to this unity.

In 1999, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU decided to convene an extraordinary session to expedite the process of economic and political integration in the continent. On 9.9.1999, the Heads of State and Government of the OAU issued a Declaration (The Sirte Declaration) calling for the 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧. In 2002 during the Durban Summit, the 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 )𝐀𝐔) 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 as the successor to the Organisation of African Unity.

The decision to re-launch Africa’s Pan-African organisation was the outcome of a consensus by African leaders that in order to realise Africa’s potential, there was a need to refocus attention from the fight for decolonisation and apartheid, which had been the focus of the OAU, towards increased 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 of African states to drive Africa’s 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. The continent re-dedicated herself to the attainment of the Pan-African Vision of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena.”

To achieve this vision, the Agenda 2063 development Framework was developed following extensive consultations involving all formations of African society to define the social and economic development, integration, democratic governance and peace and security, as the planks of the vision.

𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝟐𝟎𝟔𝟑 is therefore an Agenda to which 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲, and therefore has a stake in its implementation. The inclusive approach adopted in the design of , which was pivotal in creating a sense of ownership of the agenda among a range of stakeholders.

As we reflect on the achievements, challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, we wish all Africans a 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲.

Happy

𝟑 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲.

In 2024, focuses on the theme “Invest in Education: Securing the Future of Women and Girls in Africa.”

The day reminds us to:
�Celebrate the strides made by countries in advancing women’s rights to education.
�Galvanize investments and support to improve infrastructure, teachers’ training and foundational learning.
�Facilitate knowledge sharing and exchange of innovative and best practices to enhance education outcomes for women and girls in Africa.

"We wish our host country a happy Independence Day.
With all our best wishes."