Yemi Obafemi
Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, has cautioned that Africa has become the epicentre of global terrorism, with extremist groups exploiting new technologies to spread violence and instability.
Speaking at the 2025 Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja on Monday, Mohammed warned that insurgents were using improvised explosive devices, social media, and artificial intelligence to advance their operations.
“We cannot afford to be bystanders. Africa must take ownership, must be proactive, and shape how these tools will be used,” she said.
The former environment minister noted that elections were being manipulated, institutions weakened, and disinformation spread to pit communities against one another.
She said: “Elections are manipulated, institutions undermined, and lies are spread until neighbour turns against neighbour. We have seen this before.
“Once it was a radio carrying messages to ignite genocide; today, social media amplifies hate at terrifying speed. Artificial intelligence is already transforming the landscape of security.”
Drawing a parallel with past atrocities, she recalled how radio broadcasts once fueled genocide, stressing that today.
“Once it was a radio carrying messages to ignite genocide; today, social media amplifies hate at terrifying speed. Artificial intelligence is already transforming the landscape of security,” Mohammed noted.
“Soon, they could help us to spot patterns of unrest before violence erupts. Sadly, the same technology that offers solutions also carries profound risks,” she cautioned.
She added that while artificial intelligence offers opportunities to detect patterns of unrest before violence erupts, it also presents “profound risks” if misused.
Mohammed emphasised that regional cooperation is central to safeguarding Africa’s security, despite the challenge of uniting 54 countries with diverse histories, policies, and priorities.
“When we act in isolation, we hand our adversaries their greatest advantage our division,” she said. “Defence collaboration is not simple, but it is remarkable that through complexity and diversity, African forces still find ways to act together.”
