Authorities have stressed on the need for multilateral cooperation on countering acts of terrorism and violent extremism.

Minister for Homeland Security Jean Sendeza sounded the plea in Lilongwe during a high level week-long briefing meeting on countering terrorism and violent extremism organised by the Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

She said: “While some may be disillusioned and ready to renounce violence, others remain determined, passing on expertise from the battlefield, recruiting new followers and carrying out attacks.

Home-grown terrorists are also testing the capacities of domestic security and intelligence agencies. There has been a shift towards less sophisticated attacks against softer targets that are more difficult to detect and prevent.”

Sendeza said terrorism and violent extremism undermine both national and international peace and security hence need for concerted efforts.

“They divide communities, exacerbate conflicts, and destabilize entire country and region.

They hamper our efforts to promote and protect human rights and are an obstacle to sustainable development. This complex global challenge affects every country here today,” Sendeza said.

One of the participants, Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Khoswe Chimwaza said the Judiciary has a critical role to play in terms of upholding rule of law and administering justice.

“If anybody is arrested and a case is perhaps made up against them, they will definitely have come to court.

And the court are crucial in terms of administering justice, upholding the rule of law, upholding human rights issues of the perpetrators as wells as victims so they are an important part in this whole exercise,” Chimwaza said.

The objective of the week-long deliberation is principally to improve coordination, cooperation and information sharing, as well as build partnerships that can find practical solutions towards the development of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy for Malawi.