Enhancing capacities of Member States in North Africa and the Sahel region to counter terrorism

In partnership with UNOCT’s Programme Office for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa in Rabat, and with the support of the Kingdom of Morocco, UNCCT has concluded a five-day regional workshop on Good Practices in Border Security Management to strengthen coordination and capacities to counter terrorism. The workshop gathered representatives from UN and international organizations, as well as officers from national authorities of Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali and Niger. Participants from the beneficiary countries and designated experts discussed recent trends and threats in the region, and  identified ongoing national and regional initiatives and strategies to prevent the cross-border movement of known or suspected terrorists. 

Through the five-day workshop, participants developed a better understanding on the importance of implementing integrated border management strategies and national action plans inclusive of counter-terrorism elements and in accordance with international human rights law, refugee law and the rule of law.

In addition, the regional workshop provided an opportunity for participants to improve their understanding of the nexus between terrorism and transnational organized crime linked to other criminal activities, while highlighting the importance of human rights standards at international borders in the context of counter-terrorism. 

As part of the training, the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Morocco organized a field visit for participants to the port of “Tanger-Med” to see first-hand operational aspects, screening proceedings and technological tools used in the port. 
The final session of the regional workshop allowed participants to compile several recommendations and follow-up actions to enhance national capacities related to border strategies, and to strengthen coordination and cooperation to counter terrorism and transnational organized crime in the region.