The increased offensive against IS in Syria and elsewhere is expected to create a mutation on the threat.

Transcription

1 INPUT BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN MINISTER OF STATE SECURITY HONOURABLE DAVID MAHLOBO ON COUNTER TERRORISM, CYBER SECURITY AND ENERGY SECURITY AT THE 7TH BRICS MEETING OF HIGH REPRESENTATIVES FOR SECURITY ISSUES, BEIJING CHINA : 28 JULY 2017 Your Excellency State Councillor of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China, Mr Yang Jiechi Your Excellency the Minister of the Institutional Security Cabinet of Brazil, General Sergio Etchegoyen Your Excellency the National Security Advisor of India, Mr Ajit Doval Your Excellency Secretary General of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Mr Nikolai Patruchev Ladies and Gentlemen 1. Terrorism continues to be a major global security challenge. The threat posed by Islamic State, Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF) and online radicalisation persist. In Africa, we have witnessed a shift in emphasis from country-specific targets to regional targets. In addition, terrorist groups are evolving. Their motivations, financing and support mechanisms, methods of attack and choice of targets are constantly mutating. They continue to adopt new and sophisticated recruitment tactics and funding methods, as well as attempts at gaining and controlling territory. 2. The rise of the Islamic State (IS) has impacted on African terror groups by inspiring young recruits to join their cause as foreign fighters and to emulate the IS model in their respective regions.

2 The increased offensive against IS in Syria and elsewhere is expected to create a mutation on the threat. 3. We therefore remain concerned about the growing incidents of terror on the African continent and the humanitarian and regional security impact it has on countries, including South Africa. 4. In this regard, South Africa remains supportive of the work of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group in unpacking the modalities of practical cooperation on this challenge. 5. In addition, South Africa condemns the terrorist attacks against innocent civilians in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Our thoughts are with the affected states, their people and the victims of these indefensible actions. 6. The digital and information age has brought exciting opportunities in amongst others, developing our economies, improving our health care, education, military, provision of services and the list is endless. In the same vein, electronic computing and communication pose some of the most complex challenges the world has ever faced. 7. The international community is concerned over threats posed by possible use of such technologies both in civil and military spheres at the expense of achieving international peace, security, stability and undermining sovereignty, security of states and

3 interference in their internal affairs and violation of citizen s private lives. Attacks on any ICT network have disastrous consequences for individuals and for society as witnessed in the recent ransom-ware attack to more than 100 countries affecting thousands of organisations worldwide. 8. In terms of cybersecurity, the WannaCry ransomware attacks this year highlighted the importance of basic cybersecurity and awareness. It further underscored the extent of damage that can be done to countries by malicious actors in a relatively short time. 9. It is clear that the following threats need to be urgently addressed: a) Acts of aggression aimed at discrediting the sovereignty and violation of security and territorial integrity of states and threatening international peace; security and stability b) Economic and other damages, including destructive impact on elements of information infrastructure; c) Use of ICT for terrorists purposes, as well as advocacy of terrorism and recruitment for terrorists activities; d) ICT use in committing crime, including those connected with unauthorised access to computer information; e) Interference into internal affairs of states, violation of public order, incitement of interracial and interethnic and sectarian strife, advocacy of racist and xenophobic ideas of theories that ignite

4 hatred and discrimination and incite and also to destabilise governance; and f) For dissemination of information harmful for socio-political and socio-economic system, spiritual, moral and cultural environment in other states. 10. Finding a balance between security and respecting human rights in the field of information security and communication technologies continue to be a contentious matter internationally. Progress made by our Working Group of Experts on Security in the Use of ICTs in adopting the Roadmap of Practical Cooperation on Ensuring Security in the Use of ICTs is commendable. 11. Sustainable Energy security is a catalyst for economic development. In the wake of Climate Change, conscious of the UN adopted Sustainable Development Goals, South Africa has adopted a balanced energy mix which is crucial for her economic development. Sustainable energy supply is a key driver to unleash Africa s development and economic potential. 12. South Africa is collaborating with amongst others, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the Inga hydro electricity generation project, which at its full implementation is projected to

5 avail clean energy sufficient for the African continent. 13. Sharing of technology and expertise amongst ourselves as partners must be geared to leverage our individual and collective capabilities towards sustainable economic development. A necessity thus exists for purposive collaboration and technology transfer amongst ourselves as partners on this field. 14. I thank you

6