Sahel strategy against crime and terrorism shows latest results

Sahel Programme Progress Report by UNODC, January 2016. Photo: UNODC 3 February 2016 - UNODC's office in West and Central Africa recently released the latest results of its Sahel Programme, showing the multitude of activities it has carried out, and the large number of people it has benefitted. With 186 activities implemented so far, UNODC has reached more than 5,700 direct beneficiaries and generated concrete results across the region, as detailed in the Sahel Programme Progress Report.

The Sahel is one of the poorest regions of the world. It faces challenges such as extreme poverty, the effects of climate change, frequent food crises, rapid population growth, fragile governance, corruption, illicit trafficking and terrorist-linked security threats. To address this, UNODC started the implementation of its Contribution to the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel in early 2014, focussing on terrorism prevention, anti-corruption, border management, and the improvement of the region's judicial systems and law enforcement agencies.

The outcomes related to UNODC's Sahel Programme, as it is better known, include:

A new law against the smuggling of migrants passed by the Parliament of Niger in May 2015 and two anti-corruption laws adopted in Burkina Faso (March and November 2015). UNODC provided extensive legal drafting support to lawmakers and relevant actors in each country prior to the adoption of these laws;
More drugs seized by Malian authorities and more court cases initiated thanks to joint UNODC-UN Peacekeeping Department (DPKO) specialized training activities. 41 cases related to drug trafficking offenses were initiated from April 2015 to November 2015, when training beneficiaries were contacted to evaluate the long-term impacts of the activities;
The first-ever conviction for money laundering in Niger in May 2015, when the Niamey Court confiscated the equivalent of $670,000, setting a precedent for countries in the region;
The facilitation by UNODC of the exchange of information between authorities in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal through its judicial cooperation platforms. 14 extradition cases and 86 requests for assistance between Sahel countries were facilitated since 2014;
The marking of more than 1,100 firearms in Burkina Faso and Mali during 2015, following the provision by UNODC of equipment, training and related registration software to mark state-owned firearms;
Assisting Chad in setting up an anti-terrorist coordination cell bringing together law enforcement agencies and judicial magistrates; and
The adoption of a Security Cooperation Platform in November 2015 by the Heads of State of the G5 Sahel, supported by UNODC's substantive legal expertise. This Platform will allow greater regional cooperation between law enforcement agencies on terrorism and transnational organized crime.

Following on the above, the UNODC Sahel Programme identified new strategic priorities - included in the latest report - to be pursued alongside regional partners and the international community over the next years. These include enhancing operational capacity and information exchange between members of the G5 Sahel; strengthening capacity in the region to prevent violent extremism and address the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters (FTF); promoting and implementing de-radicalization policies in prisons; and protecting children affected by terrorism.

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 firearms have created an ideal environment for illicit trafficking, organized crime, corruption, money laundering, and terrorism. The UNODC Sahel Programme aims to provide responses to these challenges in an effort to reduce insecurity, injustice and impunity, and promote long-term sustainable development in the region.

Further information:

UNODC Sahel Programme Progress Report - January 2016

UNODC Sahel Programme

Sahel Programme results

UNODC Contribution to the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel

United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime

Sahel strategy against crime and terrorism shows latest results

Further information: