The Global Coalition to Fight ISIS, Renews its Efforts in Africa
May 15, 2022, 8:00 am

The Global Coalition to Fight ISIS, Renews its Efforts in Africa

The Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS met in Marrakesh, Morocco, in Africa on 11th_May 2022.The Ministers welcomed the first Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS in Africa and reaffirmed their shared determination to continue the fight against Daesh/ISIS through both military and civilian-led efforts.

Overshadowed for months by Russia's war in Ukraine, the ever-present threat from Islamic State is again being thrust onto the global stage, with the United States voicing hope that it is not too late to prevent the terror group from turning yet another continent into a dangerous playground.

The event is a turning point in the commitment and international coordination in the fight against "Daesh", with a particular focus on the African continent and the evolving terrorist threat in the Middle East and other regions.

ISIS map in Africa

ISIS is centralized in Africa, the Global coalition to combat ISIS was able to eliminate the "strongholds" of the ISIS in Mosul and Raqqa in November 2017, but it has not been able to stop the it's ideology. Africa has been the preferred destination for ISIS as well as for al-Qaeda and other extremist groups.

The African Sahel countries (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mauritania) and Nigeria - the stronghold of Bokoharam, are considered hot spots, witnessing continuous terrorist operations. The Gulf of Guinea, in the Horn of Africa, West Africa, Uganda, the Congo and Somalia borders, East Africa, Mozambique and Kenya, are also considered areas of concentration for ISIS, while sub-Saharan Africa is the stronghold of al-Qaeda. The presence of more than (27) extremist groups in Africa, according to the UN Security Council, poses a challenge to the countries of the region as well as to international security.

Why ISIS in Africa?

ISIS has attempted to expand its networks in Africa through large-scale operations, particularly in areas where Weak and corrupt governments. ISIS affiliates in Africa rely on local fundraising schemes such as theft, kidnapping for ransom, as well as financial support from the organization's center.

Africa represents an importance to ISIS; there are more than 41 percent of ISIS attacks in Africa. Groups linked to ISIS in Africa are preparing for a major expansion after a series of successful and significant operations, new alliances and shifts in strategy that have cemented their position in Africa. After recent ISIS operation in Nigeria, the Sahel, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ISIS propaganda is increasingly emphasizing its concentration in sub-Saharan Africa as a new front.

The Islamic State of West Africa (ISIS) has recently succeeded in defeating Bokoharam, which has become a major challenge to African states. The Central African State, which operates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mozambique, has committed a series of bloody massacres on the border in eastern Congo:

Security cooperation is needed

The presence of approximately (80) members of the international coalition, complicates a lot of the security cooperation mechanism among the members. It should be intelligent cooperation mechanism: such as meetings of technical teams of member states in order to bridge the gaps and enhance security cooperation, especially with regard to exchanging information about extremist organizations and its sources of funding, (database) in Africa and around the world.

By: Jassim Mohamad - Bonn

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.