A multi-disciplinary team of international counter-terrorism experts will visit South Africa later this year, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.
The United Nations Security Council’s counter-terrorism executive directorate (CTED) will assess South Africa’s counter-terrorism efforts during a visit this year, said Xolisa Mabhongo, Foreign Affairs chief director for UN political affairs.
”A multi-disciplinary team will come and assess South Africa compliance and capacity with UN Security Council counter-terrorism resolutions, and assess our systems broadly to determine if our systems are adequate for the fight against terrorism,” he said.
He said the country was working with the UN to determine the best time for the visit, saying it was important for South Africa to be prepared.
The CTED will compile a report that will be submitted to the Security Council for discussion.
In the wake of the September 11 2001 attacks in the United States, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that all governments criminalise assistance for terrorist activities, deny financial support and safe havens to terrorists and share information about groups planning terrorist attacks.
A 15-member counter-terrorism committee was established at the same time to monitor implementation of the resolution.
The ultimate aim of the committee is to increase the ability of governments to fight terrorism.
The committee has already visited several other countries including Nigeria, India and Indonesia. — Sapa