A Canadian diplomat who endured 130 days of captivity at the hands of al-Qaida in the Sahara Desert is urging the Canadian government to take stronger action against the rising threat of Islamic terrorism in Africa. Robert Fowler, who was held hostage in 2008 while working as a UN special envoy, believes that Canada’s recent commitment to boost defense spending should include a focus on combating terrorism in the Sahel region, which includes countries like Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
Fowler, who has served as Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations and advised three former prime ministers, highlighted the growing presence of terrorist groups in West Africa. He warned that these groups are not only targeting local populations but are also aiming to expand their reach toward the western coast of Africa, which could pose a threat to North America. “These groups are deeply committed to their cause and are willing to die for it,” Fowler said. “Eradicating them will require a serious and sustained effort.”
The situation in the Sahel has worsened in recent years, with around 5,000 civilians reported killed in the first five months of this year alone, marking a 25% increase from the previous period. The power vacuum left by the recent withdrawal of French and American military forces has exacerbated the problem. Fowler noted that the loss of these forces has made it harder to monitor and combat terrorist activities in the region.
General Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, echoed Fowler’s concerns, stating that the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Niger has limited its ability to track terrorist groups. He mentioned that if these groups gain access to the coast, they could finance their operations through smuggling and human trafficking, which would increase threats not just to African nations but also to the U.S. and Canada.
Fowler emphasized that Canada cannot ignore this growing threat. He pointed out that while the Canadian government has committed over $30 million to peace and security projects in Africa, most of this funding is aimed at humanitarian efforts rather than military action. He believes that Canada’s defense spending has been inadequate and called for a significant increase to address the threats posed by terrorism.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to raise Canada’s defense spending to meet NATO’s target of 2% of GDP by 2030, but Fowler argues that this is not enough. He criticized Canada for relying on the defense provided by the U.S. and emphasized the need for Canada to take a more active role in its own security.
Fowler’s message is clear: Canada must recognize the serious risks posed by terrorism in Africa and take action to bolster its defense capabilities. He believes that without a stronger commitment, the threat of violence linked to groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State will continue to loom over Canada and its allies.