Counterterrorism

UNODC and the Government of Mozambique team up to prevent and counter terrorism, violent extremism and the financing of terrorism

The Province of Cabo Delgado in Northern Mozambique has been increasingly affected by violence since October 2017. To date, around 300 people have been killed, thousands have been injured and several communities and livelihoods devastated. The violence has had a negative ripple effect on peace, development and governance in the province of Cabo Delgado.

UNODC Executive Director Yuri Fedotov has identified Mozambique as a ‘priority country for the rapid implementation of the response to challenges that threaten peace, stability, and security in the region.’ Among these threats are actions by terrorist groups.

In light of the above, UNODC is working with the Government of Mozambique to support the country to strengthen rule of law-based efforts to prevent and counter terrorism and related acts of violence. In July this year, UNODC launched assistance to Mozambique, organizing a national training workshop for prosecutors, judges, law enforcement and defense officials. This workshop, which took place in Pemba, Cabo Delgado was aimed at enhancing criminal justice capacity to successfully prevent, investigate, prosecute and adjudicate terrorism offences, including terrorism financing, with respect for human rights and rule of law.

From 11 to 13 September 2019, UNODC continued its partnership with the Office of the Attorney General of Mozambique, holding a second national training workshop to support Mozambique with the effective investigation, prosecution and adjudication of terrorism-related offences, including the financing of terrorism.

This workshop brought together thirty-three criminal justice and law enforcement officials from Mozambique, including judges, prosecutors, investigators, financial investigators and authorities from the National Defence Force, to assist them in bolstering their capacity to detect, investigate, prosecute and adjudicate terrorism and terrorism financing offences.

The workshop was opened by Dr. Gloria Adamo, Deputy Attorney General; Mr. Masood Karimipour, Chief of the Terrorism Prevention Branch, UNODC; and Mr. Cesar Guedes, Representative a.i of UNODC in Mozambique. It provided a forum for analysis, reflection and discussion among participants and experts on the various challenges and opportunities regarding the identification and treatment of funds used in connection with the commission of acts of terrorism. It also allowed discussions on the linkages between terrorism and violent extremism and other crimes such as drug trafficking and money laundering; and highlighted the national and international legal frameworks to counter the financing of terrorism as well as the various operational tools available for responding to these cases, including detection, seizure and confiscation of illicit proceeds. The role of the private sector and Financial Intelligence Centers in countering terrorism financing was emphasized.

Deputy Attorney General of Mozambique expressed her appreciation to the organizers for bringing together all the national entities involved in the fight against terrorism for the first time in a training workshop, constituting a unique opportunity to strengthen their capacities in counter-terrorism matters. The Chief of the Terrorism Prevention Branch, UNODC took the opportunity to commemorate victims of terrorism around the world including those killed during the attacks against the World Trade Center in New York that left 3000 people dead on 11 September 2001.

Practitioners from South Africa, Spain and the private sector joined the workshop to share good practices and concrete experience regarding operational measures and criminal justice responses to address terrorism and its financing which was highly appreciated by all participants.

UNODC plans to continue its partnership with the Government of Mozambique, having already agreed to a third national workshop to complete the training series on investigation, prosecution and adjudication of terrorism-related offences.