UN-EU Counter-Terrorism Partnership for Sudan

Graphic of the event

Useful resources

Event tweets:

  • 13-14 September 2021: [1] [2]
  • 9 August 2021: [1] [2]

On 18 October 2021, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) organized a introductory workshop on Interagency Coordination in Counter-Terrorism - Fusion Cells in cooperation with the Sudan National Commission for Counter-Terrorism (SNCCT). Experts from CTED, UNPOL, the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (CAERT) and the fusion centres from Europol (ECTC), Belgium (OCAM/CUTA) and Norway (JCTC) shared good practices and their experiences in inter-agency coordination mechanism.


Background

The UN-EU Counter-Terrorism Partnership for Sudan is an 18-month surge capacity project funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOCT to strengthen the capacity of Sudan’s authorities to prevent and counter terrorism, in compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law. UNOCT has deployed a small project team to Khartoum to liaise with the Sudanese authorities, UN entities (including UNDP, OHCHR, UNESCO and UNITAMS), regional organizations (notably the AU and IGAD) and other international partners to deliver tailored capacity building projects in the realm of counter-terrorism strategy, border security, countering the financing of terrorism, community policing and upholding human rights while countering terrorism.

Activities

Countering the Financing of Terrorism:  

On 8-9 February 2021, UNOCT, SNCCT and the EU Delegation in Sudan organized the launch event of the project with a first capacity-building workshop focused on countering the financing of terrorism. In cooperation with UNOCT’s Global Programme on Countering the Financing of Terrorism, the event focused on the international framework, regional risks and vulnerabilities and the importance of public-private partnerships. [Press Release] [Tweet]

Border Security and Management:

On 22-23 February 2021, UNOCT and SNCCT co-organized a workshop on Controlling and Securing Borders in alignment with UN Security Council resolutions on counter-terrorism. In cooperation with UNOCT’s Global Border Security and Management Programme and with the participation of INTERPOL, CTED, UNODC, IOM and IGAD, the workshop brought together 75 Sudanese officials to exchange on the evolving threat landscape and cross-border challenges, the use of new technologies to prevent and disrupt terrorist travel, practical challenges in the use of databases to identify foreign terrorist fighters and the importance of inter-agency and cross-border cooperation. [Tweet]

Community Policing:

On 30-31 May 2021, UNOCT, the SNCCT and the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT/CAERT) co-organized a two-day capacity-building event on community policing approaches to preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism, with the support of UNITAMS and IGAD. The event was attended by 70 law enforcement and civil society representatives who exchanged on the terrorism threat, good practices in community policing and the importance of building relations of trust between law enforcement and civil society as well as community-based endeavors to reintegrate former terrorist fighters.

Links between fighting Organized Criminal Networks and Counter-Terrorism:

On 5-6 July 2021, UNOCT, SNCCT and the Regional Operational Centre in Khartoum in support of the Khartoum Process and AU-Horn of Africa Initiative (ROCK) co-organized a two-day capacity building workshop focused on investigative techniques with the participation of INTERPOL, OHCHR, the Cyber Peace Institute and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The training was attended by 40 law enforcement experts and focused on criminal investigations in areas such as migrant smuggling, kidnapping for ransom, anti-money laundering, and respect for human rights.

Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Counter-Terrorism:

On 11 July 2021, UNOCT and SNCCT organized a workshop on the role of CSOs in countering terrorism in Sudan in cooperation with UNITAMS, UNDP, OHCHR and the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT/CAERT). 100 civil society representatives attended the training which focused on countering hate speech and promoting human rights. Participants emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation among religious and political groups to develop mutual understanding. [Tweet]

Strategic Communications and Media

On 9 August 2021, UNOCT organized a capacity-building workshop on the “Role of Communication and Media on Counter-Terrorism” in cooperation with SNCCT and UNITAMS. The event brought together 60 participants from civil society, media organizations, academia and public authorities to enhance their capacity to develop and disseminate national narrative to prevent & counter violent extremism and terrorism. [Tweet]

Protection of Vulnerable Targets and Critical Infrastructures

On 13-14 September, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism organized a workshop on the “Protection of Vulnerable Targets and Critical Infrastructures”. The event brought together 50 participants from Sudanese authorities, private sector owners and operators of such infrastructures to raise awareness and share good practices on the development of comprehensive and collaborative approaches. Experts from CTED, Interpol, UNICRI, UNAOC, OHCHR, UNOCT/UNCCT and CAERT highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships, threat and risk assessment as well as preparedness to protect religious sites, cultural heritage, urban and touristic centres as well as critical infrastructures. [Tweets