The Sahel Programme Progress Report of 2017 was launched on 15 June 2017 in the UNODC Headquarters, in Vienna. The Report showcases the outstanding results achieved by the governments of the Sahel region, with the support of UNODC, in their fight against trafficking, transnational organized crime, terrorism, and trafficking in persons and of migrants. Read more

Efforts towards a better coordination on maritime crime

In recent years, the Gulf of Guinea has become the epicenter of maritime crime in Africa. UNODC organized a training for thirty practitioners coming from African countries, namely Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire and Gabon, focusing on the State action at sea and the adequate penal responses and also aiming at improving strong coordination between the three countries affected by maritime crime. Read more

UNODC strengthens the fight against organized crime and terrorism

May 2017 was of utmost importance for the Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP) in West Africa. Indeed, the Niamey Joint Aairport Interdiction Task Force seized 3kg of methamphetamine on a passenger thanks to the training delivered by UNODC. In addition, a new Joint Interdiction Task Force (JAITF) was set up in Ouagadougou and thus, joined the growing network of JAITFS around the world. Read more

Niger makes cybercrime a security priority

Transnational organized crime networks (including drug traffickers) and terrorists are exploiting the Internet in recruiting, radicalizing, spreading hate messages and even organizing terrorist actions. UNODC organized a national training workshop on cybercrime, which was held from the 15 to the 19 of May 2017 in Niamey, and that was attended by 33 law enforcement and judicial officers. Read more

UNODC trains lawyers on the rights of the defense in Niger

From 9 to 11 May 2017, UNODC experts delivered a training to 25 Nigerien lawyers on the rights of the defense in order to prepare the trials of detainees suspected of terrorism. This training session was crucial and was also the opportunity to train the lawyers on different matters, including the treatment of children associated with terrorist and violent extremist groups. Read more

UNODC parterns up with the Netherlands and Cabo Verde to fight organized crime

Over the last decade, the importance of West Africa as a smuggling route for cocaine from South America to Europe has kept increasing sharply. In order to fight against drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime, Cabo Verde and the Netherlands signed a Partnership Declaration under UNODC's auspices, on 9 June 2017, in the capital city of Praia. Read more

Mali combats drug trafficking in prisons

Illicit drug use is a growing concern in Malian prisons, where insufficient security measures allow detainees to traffic and consume illegal substances. UNODC has organized a workshop on the identification of both illicit and legal drugs in prisons in Segou. This training took place on 8-12 May 2017 and was attended by 40 Malian prison officers, enabling them to use UNODC drug and precursors test kits. Read more

UNODC organizes a training for Malian law enforcement officers on financial crime

A workshop was organized by UNODC between the 24 and the 28 April in Bamako about economic and financial crime. This training workshop forms part of the support programme of UNODC for the operationnalization and implementation of the G5 Sahel Security Cooperation Platform, submitted in January 2017. The training session is intended to be replicated in the remaining four G5 member states over the next months. Read more

The Belgian Deputy Prime Minister visits the United Nations in Senegal

In the framework of the follow-up of the international conference "She Decides", the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister, M. Alexander De Croo, came on mission to Dakar between 26 and 27 April. His visit was the occasion for him and his delegation to meet with the implementing partners of UNODC, UNICEF and UNFPA that assist the most vulnerable women and the victims of trafficking in persons. Read more

UNODC trains Malian Law enforcement officers on jihadist ideology

A national training workshop was held in Bamako, Mali, on understanding and analyzing the jihadist doctrine. This training workshop forms part of UNODC's support programme for the operationnalization of the G5 Sahel's Security Cooperation Platform (PCMS), submitted in January 2017. The training session is designed to be replicated over the next few months, in the remaining four G5 Sahel member states. Read more

Investigative journalism as a lever for accountability in West Africa

UNODC, in collaboration with CENOZO, organized a training workshop on "International investigative journalism in the Sahel region", which took place in Ouagadougou from 18 to 20 April 2017.The workshop brought together 60 investigative journalists from the Sahel region and West Africa. The purpose of this training was to familiarize participants with CENOZO's strategic plan 2017-2019. Read more

Burkina Faso is fighting trafficking in person and smuggling of migrants

UNODC organized a training session from 10 to 14 April 2017 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, for Police and National Gendarmerie school instructors, to strengthen authorities' responses to the challenge of transnational crime networks, and in particular, those related to fighting trafficking in person and smuggling of migrants. Read more

Sahel governments set future priorities with UNODC and international partners

On 5 and 6 April 2017, the UNODC Sahel Programme held its second Steering Committee Meeting in Dakar, Senegal. Participating governments had the occasion to share key results and future assistance needs with UNODC experts. Recommendations were subsequently approved during a round table attended by representatives of the Sahel Programme's key donors. Read more

Chad makes progress in the fight against money-laundering and terrorism financing

A workshop was dispensed by UNODC experts in the Chadian capital city of N'djamena, and was designed to raise awareness among financial institutions and other designated non-financial businesses (DNFBPs) of the key elements of the fight against Money Laundering and Countering Terrorism Financing in Chad. Over 25 participants from various sectors benefited from the training workshop. Read more

Senegal is fighting trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants

Trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants are two growing issues threatening human security and economic development in the region. Both are affecting Senegal as it is a destination country for victims of trafficking in persons and a country of origin for migrants wishing to join Europe. In March 2017, UNODC implemented awareness raising activities in Kedougou and a training session in Dakar to fight these two plights. Read more

UNODC trains law enforcement officers of G5 Sahel States

Two regional training workshops have been organized in Burkina Faso, and a national one was held in Chad, covering respectively the fight against drug trafficking and intelligence gathering and analysis. These workshops form part of UNODC's support programme for the operationnalization of the G5 Sahel Security Cooperation Platform, submitted in January 2017. Read more