A two-day stakeholders conference on Deradicalization, Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism discussed some of the most pressing challenges facing the people of frontier counties including: Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Moyale and Isiolo; as well as residents in Ethiopia and Somalia bordering them. The theme of the conference, ‘Stepping up community-led counter terrorism and deradicalization efforts to combat violent extremism,’ was the basis of the discussion. It was observed that terrorism and violent extremism had stunted growth and development, and prevented many children and young people from accessing quality education.
The GNRC Secretary General, Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali, was invited by the Governor of Mandera, H.E Captain Ali Roba, to advice the religious and political leaders in the Mandera Triangle and frontier counties on how best to address violent extremism and terrorism from a community perspective.
Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali addressed the religious leaders and elders in Mandera town on 22nd October 2018, promising to work with local leaders. The Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) has as one of its core commitments to work with partners and leverage the capacity to address violent extremism, gang violence and organized crime. GNRC has been working in the region building networks and initiating programs including the Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism (BRAVE) and Community Resilience Against Violent Extremism (CRAVE) to address the causes leading to children and young people to join violent extremist groups.
During the GNRC 5th Forum In May 2017, violent extremism, gang violence and organized crime were recognized as some of the most severe causes to violence against children, and that which required concerted efforts by faith communities and leaders to address at the grassroots levels.
