ALGIERS — The African Union (AU) has praised Algeria’s steadfast commitment to peace and security across Africa, emphasizing that hosting two of the AU’s main agencies in Algiers reflects the Union’s trust in Algeria’s regional leadership.
“I once again salute the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, its government, and its people for their leading role in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, as well as their constant dedication to peace and security on the African continent,” said Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security. His remarks were delivered by Idriss Mounir Lallali, Acting Director of the AU Center for Counter-Terrorism (AUCTC), during the regional workshop of the CISSA North Africa Liaison Office held in Algiers.
Highlighting that Algeria proudly hosts the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT/AUCTC) and the African Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), Adeoye stressed that this reflects the African Union’s confidence in Algeria’s strategic leadership. He also recalled that the AU’s decision to designate President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as its Champion for Counter-Terrorism further strengthened Africa’s response to global terrorism.
Adeoye noted that the current workshop, themed “The Impact of Fake News and Misinformation on the Security and Stability of States,” represents a call to action at a time when information itself is being weaponized. He called for unity, vigilance, and collective wisdom to counter disinformation, which now poses a major transnational threat.
He further warned that disinformation campaigns targeting African audiences have quadrupled since 2022, often orchestrated by foreign actors exploiting the continent’s linguistic and cultural diversity. Such false narratives, he said, fuel conflicts, weaken social cohesion, and threaten national stability, especially with the rise of AI-driven and algorithmically amplified misinformation.
Adeoye emphasized the urgent need for an integrated, sustainable continental strategy to monitor and combat disinformation, proposing the creation of a specialized mechanism equipped with digital forensic expertise and counter-narrative strategies. He also stressed the importance of strengthening journalists’, educators’, and civil society actors’ capacities to promote community-level digital resilience.
