Terror on Africa's doorstep?

2003-06-25 08:35

Willem Jordaan

Cape Town - On the eve of US president George W Bush's visit to South Africa on July 8 and 9 the government here has expressed concern about the possible impression being created that Africa has become a new home for al-Qaeda.

This follows the arrest in Malawi of five suspected members of the extremist organisation and a report pending from the Untied Nations security council, which says 800 al-Qaeda members fled Afghanistan before the American attack.

Deputy foreign affairs minister Aziz Pahad told a press conference on Tuesday the report was expected by next week. The government would study it and Pahad said a comprehensive security analysis would be done to establish how many of the members were in Africa.

"We don't want a situation where Africa comes to be seen as a home for terrorism," said Pahad.

"This is not the case, but we can't afford to rest on our laurels in the fight against terrorism."

- Die Burger