stories

13 November 2024

Strengthening stability and border security through development: UNODC's visit alongside the Meharists Units to the nomadic communities of Néma region in Mauritania

In the vast and challenging terrain of Mauritania's eastern frontier, a long-standing effort exemplifies the intersection of national security and sustainable community development. The Meharist Unit of the Mauritanian National Guard, composed of cavalry officers, patrols the country's eastern border with Mali on camelback. Their mission is multifaceted: to preserve the stability that has characterized Mauritania since 2011 by providing basic state services to nomadic communities in remote and underserved areas......more

27 September 2024

UNODC supports a strengthened Cooperation between Senegal and Mauritania in the Fight against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Regional Office for West and Central Africa, responded positively to a request from Mauritanian authorities to facilitate a study visit to also share best practices with Senegal to combat human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.....more

26 July 2024

World Day against Trafficking in Persons « Leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking »

1 (One) in every 3 (three) victims of human trafficking is a child. In sub-Saharan Africa, children represent more than 60% of detected victims of trafficking, according to the UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (GLOTIP). The most widespread form of trafficking among children in sub-Saharan Africa is forced labor (forced begging, working in gold mining sites, domestic work and forced marriage, etc.).

Therefore, the theme chosen for the World Day against Trafficking in Persons of 2024 refers to "leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking"....more

18 July 2024

Strengthening resilience, security and cooperation on the Mauritania-Senegal border through cross-border workshops

As part of the project "Promoting Inclusive Cross-Border Governance and Strengthening Community Resilience to Mitigate Security Risks in the Border Areas of Mauritania and Senegal", UNODC, jointly with IOM, organized two cross-border workshops to sensitize key actors in the border regions from both countries, including local authorities, security and defense forces, members of local NGOs, and community members, on crucial issues related to integrated border management and transnational organized crime....more

18 July 2024

Nelson Mandela International Day: Celebrating Legacy and Rehabilitation through Sports in Ghana

This year, the UNODC Ghana Prison Rehabilitation and Reform Programme, in collaboration with the Ghana Prisons Service marked Nelson Mandela International Day with a week of activities including sporting games at the country’s biggest prison facility, Nsawam Medium Security Prison (Male) and a stakeholder’s launch of grant-based projects with Civil Society Organizations...more

24 June 2024

Oumou Niaré Samaké: Anti Trafficking in Persons Champion from Mali receives Prize from US Secretary Blinken

Oumou Elkhairou Niaré Samaké, the President of the National Committee for the Fight against Human Trafficking and Similar Practices (CNLTPPA) of Mali received the 2024 Human Trafficking Heroes award in the USA by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on 24 June 2024....more

16 May 2024

Bridging Dreams: From Fouta region to Village Pilote

In the heart of Siouré Thiambé, a small village nestled within the Fouta region near Saint-Louis, football reigns supreme. It's not just a game here; it's a way of life. But beneath the surface of this football-centric world lies a yearning for something more, a hunger for opportunities beyond the confines of a single sport...more

7 May 2024

Operation SAMA: Breakthrough in Wildlife Trafficking Prevention

In 2024, Operation SAMA (Saving African Wildlife through Multilateral Assistance) marked a significant milestone in the fight against wildlife trafficking in Africa. This landmark operation resulted in the confiscation of 104 endangered species products across 19 countries, leading to numerous arrests and prosecutions...more

4 April 2024

UNODC Handover equipment to support GIABA in boosting its AML/CFT Learning Platform

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provided the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) with IT equipment to boost the capacity of its anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) E-learning Platform...more

4 March 2024

Combating online child sexual abuse: The challenge for West African criminal justice system to fight a growing cybercrime unknown and unnoticed in West Africa

UNODC Global Programme on Cybercrime, following its strategic programme to support the efforts of national authorities in West African countries to fight cybercrime and online child sexual exploitation, organized a regional training workshop on this subject in Abidjan, from the 4th to the 8th of March. This activity was co-organized with UNODC partners such as the FBI, the US Department of Justice and the US embassies in Dakar and Abidjan...more

11 January 2024

Drugs and violent extremism: First national dialogue on violent in Mali

Bamako n’est pas loin, Bamako is not far. This phrase is just one of the many evocative market names for psychoactive substances (drugs, or medical products for non-medical use like tramadol etc) that are rampant in Mali. If you are taking a long 20 hours bus ride from Gao to Bamako, you might be offered some, with the promise that the journey will be...more