Pretoria, South Africa – The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) has followed with concern a series of opinion pieces in the local media describing remarks in a media interview by the ISS’ Senior Training Coordinator and Analyst, Willem Els, as ‘Islamophobic’. The interview was conducted after the Border Management Conference and Expo 2024 in Pretoria. 

For context, the exploitation of children for recruitment and participation in terrorism and violent extremism is a global phenomenon and a feature of many terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, Islamic State, the Lords Resistant Army, Boko Haram, Allied Democratic Forces, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Ahlu-Sunnah wal Jama’a (ASWJ). Some of these groups are known to have a presence and cells in South Africa. 

Child soldiers are commonly used in asymmetrical warfare by rebel groups or non-state actors irrespective of any racial, ethnic or religious lines. It is a feature that makes terrorism, violent extremism and rebellions resilient, deadly and complex and must be prevented and combated in every context. This is the context in which Els’ remarks to the media were made. 

As a socially responsible Pan-African organisation, the ISS is committed to evidence-informed analysis that supports effective policymaking. The ISS has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of discrimination – whether on the basis of religious belief, ethnicity, gender, race or disability. 

In its commitment to public dialogue for peace and security, the ISS, through its Executive Director, welcomes engagement on the value, methods, and processes that undergird its research processes. 

For media inquiries, contact:
Dr Fonteh Akum, ISS Executive Director: [email protected]