MADRID, Spain, May 22, 2026 — Somalia’s special envoy on the prevention and countering of violent extremism Aweys Mohamed Omar has taken part in an international conference in Madrid focused on strengthening cooperation against terrorism in Africa, officials said.
The conference, titled “Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism in Africa,” brought together international experts and policymakers to discuss ways of enhancing global collaboration in combating terrorism and preventing extremist ideologies across the African continent.
Discussions also focused on the growing use of digital platforms by extremist groups, and how modern technology is being exploited for propaganda and recruitment purposes.
The Somali envoy thanked the government of Spain and the organisers for hosting the meeting, saying it provided an important platform for dialogue and cooperation in addressing terrorism and violent extremism.
In his address, Aweys Mohamed Omar said Somalia views violent extremism not as a theoretical issue, but as a lived reality the country continues to confront on a daily basis.
He noted that extremist groups have long used sophisticated methods to spread propaganda, mislead young people, and exploit social media and other digital tools to advance their agendas.
The envoy also stressed the need for strengthened multilateral cooperation to counter security threats posed by terrorism and online radicalisation, calling for coordinated international action to address the challenge.
