Sahel Programme

The Challenge

The Sahel is one of the poorest regions of the world. It faces simultaneously the challenges of extreme poverty, the effects of climate change, frequent food crises, rapid population growth, fragile governance, corruption, unresolved internal tensions, illicit trafficking and terrorist-linked security threats. The Sahel-Saharan region has always been a trade and migration route. However, factors such as the lack of state authority, weak justice systems, the collapse of the traditional pastoral economy, corruption and the presence of arms have created an ideal environment for illicit trafficking, organized crime, terrorism, corruption and money laundering. The destabilizing effect of such terrorist groups and their impact on development and security in the Sahel are extremely serious. Criminal activities have reached a level that poses a threat to governance and social stability in the entire region and beyond. Criminal networks have intensified their operations in the Sahel and expanded their illicit trade activities across the entire region. The profits generated from drug trafficking, arms trafficking, organized crime and kidnapping for ransom, which can easily be used for corruption, can only make an already precarious situation worse and less sustainable.

The UNODC Sahel Programme supports the development of accessible, efficient and accountable criminal justice systems to combat illicit trafficking, drug trafficking, organized crime, terrorism and corruption in the region by:

Promoting the adoption of national legislation and the implementation of international conventions as well as fostering regional and international cooperation to combat these issues efficiently;
Strengthening the capacity and information exchange between law enforcement entities and regional mechanisms to enhance detection and interdiction, especially at airports and land borders;

Improving criminal justice systems by promoting integrity safeguard mechanisms and Police - Justice cooperation through anti-corruption and anti-money laundering training;
Enhancing scientific evidence and investigation procedures by providing authorities with appropriate forensic laboratories and firearms control measures;
Supporting access and treatment of people in contact with the judicial system by strengthening the frameworks of human rights, legal aid, victim and witness protection, and prison reform;
Mainstreaming gender throughout the criminal justice chain.

The UNODC Sahel Programme has been developed within the framework of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS), which the UN Secretary-General launched in June 2013. The UNISS is a multidimensional response to the challenges faced in the Sahel and revolves around three key priorities: making governance more inclusive and effective, building capacities to counter cross-border threats, and strengthening the resilience of the Sahelian people. UNODC co-leads the UNISS Peace and Security Pillar with the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and implements its Sahel Programme in close collaboration with other UN Nations entities, regional entities as well as other technical and financial partners.