Experts say the expanded alliance of the BRICS+ nations has immense potential to combat international terrorism.
Ruslan Grebnev, Deputy Dean at Lomonosov Moscow State University’s Faculty of Global Processes, has told Egypt’s Daily News that the inclusion of Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Ethiopia is strengthening collective counter-terrorism security.
He says the real potential lies in the timely intelligence exchange on terrorist plots and emerging extremist trends.
Terrorism has become a global problem with over 140 people killed when gunmen stormed into the Crocus concert hall near Moscow, opening fire on civilians.
Northern Mozambique has also seen an increase in insurgents near Beira with troops from the Southern African Development Community being deployed.
This includes troops from BRICS+ country South Africa.
However, military strength is not the only way to counter terrorism.
Cutting off the money flow to finance attacks and extremism is another.
Grebnev emphasises the extensive experience of BRICS+ members, particularly Russia, China, and India, in financial monitoring.
He says their expertise in identifying terrorist funding channels is valuable and can be replicated in other BRICS+ states and across the globe.
Modern technological advancements are also seen as crucial tools for detecting terrorists, tracing extremist communication networks, monitoring group movements, and thwarting financial transfers.
The formation of the BRICS Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in 2016 has also helped to form a cohesive strategy to stop money flows and prosecute offenders.
Member states have also been looking at draft legislation to counter terrorism.
This includes South Africa where the country has been improving its anti-money laundering legislation.
The country found itself at the centre of international attention due to its grey listing by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2023.
This decision had significant repercussions for the nation’s financial system and its broader economy with banks and other institutions told to tighten their systems.
South Africa’s Finance Ministry says significant progress has been made to remove itself from the grey list.
This is a positive move for the country and ties in with what other BRICS+ countries are doing to make sure that the world becomes a safer place to live and do business.
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