Since 2022, Africa has become the epicentre of global terrorism, accounting for over 60% of all terrorism-related deaths. Weak governance, porous borders and social inequalities have allowed terrorist groups to thrive. These groups exploit the trafficking of arms, people, drugs, goods, and other illicit trafficking often in collaboration with organized crime networks. The Sahel region, particularly the tri-border area of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, has been severely affected, disrupting traditional cross-border trade and ultimately affecting the livelihoods of those in the region. In addition, effectively identifying and addressing the nexus between terrorism and organized crime can be challenging for countries.
In response to these challenges, UNODC facilitated an exchange visit for Egypt and Sahelian countries in Cairo to strengthen judicial cross-border cooperation and share experiences in countering terrorism and organized crime on 1-4 July 2024.
The visit was organized within the framework of UNODC's project on Countering Terrorism and Preventing Violent Extremism in the Sahel which provides specialized technical assistance to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The project focuses on enhancing the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication processes by bolstering crime prevention, criminal justice, and the rule of law. It also promotes regional cooperation and information-sharing and improves border security to address the nexus between terrorism and organized crime.
Eleven representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger contributed to the exchange visit, including officials specialized in countering terrorism and organized crime. They engaged with Egyptian counterparts and think tanks such as Al-Azhar Observatory for Countering Violent Extremism and the Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA).
Throughout the visit, participants contributed to in-depth discussions on policies and legislative frameworks in the respective regions on countering the linkages between terrorism and organized crime. These discussions included an analysis of effective strategies for criminalizing, investigating and prosecuting crimes that involve both terrorism and organized crime. By sharing good practices for inter-agency cooperation and cross-border collaboration, stronger ties and mutual support were fostered. Additionally, key areas and mechanisms for future action to prevent and counter terrorism and its links with organized crime were identified.
The meetings strengthened participants' understanding of policies and legislation, judicial cooperation, and fostered networking among Egyptian and Sahelian counterparts. Discussions also centred around improving judicial cross-border cooperation, as participants reviewed case studies on successful inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-sharing. By sharing experiences and good practices, the participating countries are better equipped to tackle these challenges together.
This initiative represented a significant step forward in the collective efforts to prevent and counter terrorism and organized crime within the region.
The exchange visit was made possible with the support of the Government of Japan.