Maldives: UNODC jointly delivers with France two table-top exercises on countering terrorism investigations  

Male, Maldives/18 October 2024: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the French Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the European Union, successfully conducted a set of comprehensive table-top exercises (TTXs) to strengthen counter-terrorism inter-agency coordination and information-sharing efforts in the Maldives as part of the project “Support to addressing the risk of terrorism and to increasing security in the Maldives”, carried out with funding by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI).

The same exercise was delivered to two different groups of participants, one in Malé on 13 and 14 October 2024 and another in Addu City on 16 and 17 October 2024, allowing five female and 14 male criminal justice practitioners across the country to simulate real-life counter-terrorism scenarios and enhance their collective response capabilities.

The development of the TTXs itself, part of a broader initiative to enhance national capacities in countering violent extremism and terrorism, was led by the French Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives with key substantive input from UNODC; a partnership that enabled the integration of best practices and expertise from international counter-terrorism efforts, contributing to the overall success of the exercise.

Through this collaboration, the TTXs focused on improving the capacity of Maldivian law enforcement, security forces and legal agencies to respond to terrorist acts. The event covered critical areas such as inter-agency cooperation, the investigation of terrorist incidents, and the handling of complex issues like returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters (RFTFs), false and misleading information on terrorist incidents, and terrorism financing.

Multiple government sectors jointly participated across the two events: the Attorney General’s Office, Aviation Security Command, Financial Intelligence Unit, Maldives Customs Service, Maldives Immigration, Maldives National Defence Force, Maldives Police Service, National Counter Terrorism Centre, and Prosecutor General’s Office. These agencies worked together to simulate responses to a fictional terrorist threat, testing their coordination mechanisms and procedures.

The exercises provided a platform for participants to practice real-time information-sharing and joint decision-making, replicating the conditions they would face during a live counter-terrorism operation. Participants engaged in dynamic discussions on improving investigative practices and the importance of inter-agency collaboration in the face of evolving security challenges.

In a statement, Mr. Enrico Boninsegna Head of the UNODC Programme Office in Maldives (POMDV) said, "These exercises represent a vital step forward in ensuring Maldives continues to improve essential capacities in handling the complex challenges posed by terrorism. By bringing together multiple agencies and international expertise, UNODC, the French Embassy in Sri Lanka and Maldives and, most importantly, the Government of Maldives, have enhanced the ability to respond quickly and effectively to potential threats."

The involvement of the European Union and the French Embassy further emphasized the importance of international cooperation in tackling global terrorism. Their contribution to the design of the scenarios and the strategic input offered valuable insights into the development of counter-terrorism policies and practices in the Maldives.

As a result of the exercises, participants reported increased awareness of respective mandates, enhancing their ability to coordinate effectively in the event of an actual terrorist incident. The TTXs also highlighted areas for further improvement, ensuring that national responses to terrorism are continually refined.

This project has reinforced the commitment of the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) to support capacity-building initiatives in the region, with a focus on improving cooperation among criminal justice and security agencies in counter-terrorism efforts.

This article was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.