On Tuesday, March 22, the Africa Center hosted a roundtable for African diplomats with Brigadier General (Res.) Nitzan Nuriel, former Director of the Israeli Counterterrorism Bureau.

Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham welcomed participants, introduced Nuriel, and moderated the discussion.

In his remarks, Nuriel focused on Israel’s experience countering terrorism, and what lessons learned might be applicable for African countries facing similar terror threats. He suggested that instability and terrorism would continue in the near future, but that African countries could do more—including in partnership with Israel—to combat the threat.

Nuriel emphasized the important of terror prevention, which often requires valuable and scarce resources on the part of African countries. Specifically, he suggested that African countries should work hard to secure their borders; conduct military scenarios; and direct resources toward protecting air travel. 

African participants at the event included H.E. Ernest Ndabashinze, Ambassador to the United States of the Republic of Burundi; H.E. Miguel Ntutumu Evuna Andeme, Ambassador to the United States of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea; H.E. Girma Birru, Ambassador to the United States of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; H.E. Michael Moussa-Adamo, Ambassador to the United States of the Gabonese Republic; H.E. Robinson Njeru Githae, Ambassador to the United States of the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Mathilde Mukantabana, Ambassador to the United States of the Republic of Rwanda; H.E. Ahmed Isse Awad, Ambassador to the United States of the Federal Republic of Somalia; H.E. Ammon Mutembwa, Ambassador to the United States of the Republic of Zimbabwe; Ambassador Alfred Nnam, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda; and Mr. Seydou Sinka, Charge d’Affaires, a.i. from the Embassy of Burkina Faso.