ADDIS ABABA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) said it would inaugurate its Center of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism on Wednesday in Djibouti.
The Regional Strategy for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in the Horn and Eastern Africa Region will also be launched on the occasion, according to a statement from the East African bloc on Tuesday.
An official inauguration ceremony of the center would be presided over by Djibouti's Foreign Minister, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, IGAD Executive Secretary, Mahboub Maalim, and the Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, US Department of State, Donald Y. Yamamoto, said the statement.
The inauguration will include a donors' caucus to solicit additional financial support for the center, which is said to be a premier institution that is offering a dedicated platform to institutionalize the prevention and countering of violent extremism in the Horn and Eastern Africa Region.
It is intended to serve as a resource for governments, civil societies, youth, religious leaders, experts, practitioners, business people, and others interested in addressing violent extremism.
The center, specifically, will endeavor to empower youth, women, religious leaders and civil society; enhance their resilience and capacity in countering violent extremist ideology; message audiences both online and offline; generate positive alternatives for young people vulnerable to violent extremist recruitment.
It will also endeavor to improve law enforcement and security-force engagement with local communities; amplify influential religious voices and critical thinking skills; prevent radicalization to violence in prisons; and rehabilitate and re-integrate disengaged fighters, including foreign terrorist fighters.
Focusing also on convening and connectivity, it will be providing a dedicated platform to facilitate focused discussion and collaboration among national and local actors, civil society, researchers and community leaders.
