Strengthening national capacities for detecting and disrupting the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for terrorist purposes and facilitating capacity building in detecting and disrupting Al-Shabaab’s terrorist activities online and offline)
Other partners: Tech Against Terrorism.
Synopsis
Objectives
This project aims to strengthen awareness and use of tools and methods for countering the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for terrorist purposes by Al-Shabaab, ISIL-Somalia, and other designated terrorist groups in alignment with, inter alia, Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2354 (2017), 2396 (2017), 2617 (2021), and 2713 (2023), as well as to forge partnerships that not only disrupt Al-Shabaab's strategic use of digital platforms, but also strengthen the global digital ecosystem against a broader spectrum of terrorist threats.
Components
The project consists of the conduct of desk-based research and of consultations with relevant government stakeholders and experts to identify and evaluate the legislative, policy, regulatory, and operational frameworks for countering the use of ICT for terrorist purposes; the organization of an expert group meeting to bring together Government authorities from Somalia and neighboring States with key stakeholders and various experts to discuss tools and methods to counter Al-Shabaab’s use of ICT for terrorism, prevent its terrorist narratives online and offline, and use networks and technology to reduce its online reach; the development of an outcome document from the meeting for the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia; and the development of ICT-related road maps and targeted technical assistance and capacity building project(s) for future funding.
Main achievements
The project conducted consultations with the Governments of the Federal Republic of Somalia and Kenya, as well as with representatives of both countries in New York. Further consultations were held with experts from UN agencies, NGOs, and the private sector on the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and broader terrorism-related security challenges in Somalia. Additionally, CTED delivered a tailored threat assessment developed by Tech Against Terrorism. The concept note and agenda for the upcoming expert group meeting are currently under development.
Impact
The project helps establishing a full continuum of services to prevent and counter Al-Shabaab’s use of ICT for terrorism and to detect and disrupt its terrorist activities online and offline.