ADDIS ABABA – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) called on member states to work on disengagement, deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration approach and further strengthening counterterrorism efforts.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Commander Abebe Muluneh Security Sector Program Director of IGAD said that IGAD has created a platform where religious leaders share lessons with clear vision to ensure peace and stability in the region.
“We have to resort to soft power and moderate discourse. We need to positively use the same scientific and technological tools, which are misused by extremists,” he said.
In this regard, IGAD had recently carried out a productive training program designed to build the capacity of Islamic leaders (Imams) in disengagement, deradicalization, reintegration, and rehabilitation (DDRR) approaches. The objectives are, Abebe said, to counter terrorism by Al Shabaab and other terrorist groups, as well as to safeguard youth from risk of recruitment by terrorist and extremist forces.
He noted that on the training senior religious leaders drawn from Somalia have partaken, shared information and discussed ways to create informed community about religion and extremism.
“IGAD is certain that the soft approach is bearing fruit because the core values of religion are well interpreted by the senior, reputable religious leaders in the region. The effort will keep on in the same fashion to deter radicalization.”
The training was conducted by Somalis to the Somalia religious leaders by their own language. This apart from creating real confidence and build trust, it has overcome the language barriers, he added.
IGAD is engaged in soft and hard approaches to counter the radicalization. The soft approach is making the religious leaders to teach the core values of religion, as the extremists are using the same values to serve their own purpose by blinding the youth.
A press release sent by IGAD, Omar Farouk Abdelaziz Osman, Director General at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA) of Somalia has appreciated the role of IGAD in combating terrorism and violent extremism in Somalia. He also thanked the Government of Japan for its generous funding to the effort of counter terrorism in Somalia and in IGAD region.
The Ethiopian Herald February 26/2020
BY MENGISETAB TESHOME
