Malian authorities seize cocaine from Latin America

On 25 December 2016, the Joint Airport Interdiction Task Force (JAITF) in Bamako seized 900 grams of cocaine from Latin America. The load had therefore travelled along the 'cocaine route' (from South America to Europe via West Africa). The airport communication program (AIRCOP) is designed specifically to fight against the existence and proliferation of such networks. Read more

Workshop on information sharing in the fight against drug trafficking in Mali

On 12 and 13 December 2016, a workshop on information sharing and enhanced cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking took place in Bamako, Mali, regrouping over 160 participants from various national services.The main objective of the workshop was to ensure better cooperation and exchange of information but also to work towards prevention of drug use as well. Read more

AIRCOP strengthens interdiction capacity at international airports in the Sahel

In October and November 2016, the Joint Airport Interdiction Task Force (JAITF) in Niger was able to seize over 9 kilograms of gold, 500,000 undeclared Euros, and USD 37,000 from three different passengers. This brings the total of seizures conducted by the JAITF in Niger for 2016 to 114 fake Nigerien Passports, a total of over USD 139,000 and over 9 kilograms of gold. Read more

West Africa: Cocaine trafficking and migrant smuggling discussed at prosecutors meeting

The Sixth Plenary Meeting of the West African Network of Central Authorities and Prosecutors (WACAP) was held in Niamey, Niger, on 25 November 2016. Participants discussed and identified approaches to address transnational organized crime and cocaine trafficking along the cocaine route(s) from Latin America through West Africa and on to Europe. Read more

More effective regional cooperation to counteract drug trafficking in West Africa

UNODC, in collaboration with ECOWAS, organized a  "Conference in Support of the Implementation of the ECOWAS Action Plan Against Drug Abuse through more effective Regional Cooperation", on 22-24 November 2016 in Abuja.The conference brought together high-level law enforcement bodies (Police, Gendarmerie, Magistrate, etc.) from ECOWAS member States. International organisations were also represented. Read more

Awareness raising workshop on financial investigations and asset recovery in Mali

An awareness raising workshop on financial investigations and asset recovery was organized by UNODC in Bamako, Mali, from 22 to 24 November 2016. Twenty-three (23) participants representing the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Police, the Gendarmerie, Customs and other competent law enforcement authorities attended this three day workshop. Read more

Nigerien criminal justice officials trained on the treatment of victims and witnesses

UNODC trained thirty-two (32) Nigerien officials representing the Police, the Gendarmerie and judges on the treatment of victims and witnesses from 22 to 24 November 2016, in Niamey, Niger. The participants, who were trained on victimization, whistle-blowers, access to justice, and fair treatment of victims among others, came from various regions of the country. Read more

UNODC strengthens Mauritania's capacity against firearms trafficking

UNODC provided training to 29 national law enforcement and judicial officers on the investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking and related offences. This activity, held on 7-11 November 2016 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, forms part of UNODC's mandate to provide technical assistance to governments to implement their security strategies. Read more

The G5 Sahel strengthens security cooperation

The G5 Sahel Security Cooperation Platform (PCMS) is a regional security coordination and information exchange mechanism aimed at strengthening capacities to combat terrorism and transnational organized crime. On 8-9 November 2016, UNODC organized an expert meeting on its operationalization, in Nouakchott, Mauritania, to discuss and agree on its functioning. Read more 

UNODC delivers 10 vehicles to Malian law enforcement authorities

In the framework UNODC's long-lasting partnership with Malian authorities, its Regional Office for West and Central Africa delivered 10 off-road vehicles to the Ministry of Internal Security and Civil Protection on 25 October 2016, to the national Police, the national Gendarmerie and the "Office Central des Stupéfiants" (Mali's centralized drug control institution). Read more

An international drug trafficking network dismantled in Mali

In late October 2016, Malian authorities arrested the alleged kingpin behind an international drug trafficking network operating in Mali. The arrest was carried out through efficient cooperation and information exchange between law enforcement agencies in the region, which UNODC facilitated, signalling an increased capacity to counter drug trafficking. Read more

Strengthening the fight against money-laundering and terrorism financing in Niger

From 11 to 13 October 2016, UNODC organized a national workshop for reporting entities on combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. 29 representatives from financial and non-financial sectors took part to this three-day workshop which aimed at raising awareness on their role in combating money laundering and terrorism financing. Read more

UNODC Regional Representative attends AU Extraordinary Summit on Maritime Security 

Maritime security and safety in Africa is a real problem given the increase in maritime crimes in the waters of the continent. Thus, the African Union in partnership with UNODC, held its first Extraordinary Summit in Togo from 10 to 15 October 2016 on Maritime Security and Safety, and Development in Africa. The summit was dedicated to address several related-maritime insecurity issues.  Read more

UNODC launches two Joint Airport Interdiction Task Forces in Yaoundé and Douala

UNODC and the Government of Cameroon have officially inaugurated Joint Airport Interdiction Task Forces (JAITFs) in the Yaoundé and Douala international Airports on October 6, 2016. These units were created in 2015 by presidential decree as part of the AIRCOP project, implemented by UNODC in partnership with INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization. Read more

UNODC trains specialists to fight Methamphetamine trafficking in Cote d'Ivoire

The Regional Office for West and Central Africa of the United Nations Office against Drugs and Crime (UNODC) organized from 03-07 October 2016 in Abidjan a "Workshop on operational strategies against the diversion of Precursors and trafficking in Methamphetamine." The Training took place in the premises of the National Police Academy and gathered personels of Law enforcement bodies.   Read more

UNODC presents Nelson Mandela Rules to prison administrations in the Sahel

In partnership with Algerian penitentiary authorities, UNODC organized the second sub-regional meeting of the Sahel Prison Administrations on 27-29 September 2016, in Algiers, Algeria. The meeting brought together representatives from countries in the region to review recommendations identified during the first meeting held in Niamey, Niger in 2014. Read more

The ECOWAS Project supports the establishment of an information platform on drug use

To address the gap in epidemiological data on the demand and consumption of drugs, the UNODC organized a "Regional Workshop on The Collection and Analysis of Data on the Use of drugs and the Estimation size of Drug Users Among the General Population" in Dakar between 26-29 of September. Experts of the West African Network on Drug Use discussed on how to build reliable data collection and analysis systems. Read more

Whistle-blower and witness protection in the fight against corruption

From 19 to 21 September 2016, representatives from 12 countries in West Africa gathered in Monrovia, Liberia, to discuss whistle-blower and witness protection in the fight against corruption. The participants adopted the Monrovia Statement on Whistle-blower and Witness Protection, and formulated a list of priority actions and recommendations. Read more

UNODC/ECOWAS jointly launch efforts to support West Africa against drugs and crime

At a special event held on the margins of the 71st General Assembly on 19 september 2016, UNODC and ECOWAS jointly launched launched the new UNODC Regional Programme for West Africa, which capitalizes on the complementarities between the two organizations to step up the fight against international drug trafficking, terrorism, and corruption, among others. Read more

Strengthening the fight against methamphetamine trafficking in Burkina Faso

The UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa organized a training in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from 16 to 19 August 2016, in collaboration with ECOWAS, to strengthen the capacities of Burkinabè authorities with regards to the operational strategies used to fight against illegal methamphetamine trafficking, a growing phenomenon affecting the region. Read more

Regional workshop on counter terrorism financing in Togo

UNODC and the West African Economic and Monetary Union jointly organized a regional workshop in Togo from 16 to 19 August 2016, to strengthen participants' capacities on financial investigative techniques to counter terrorism financing with representatives of Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. Read more

Strengthening the criminal justice chain against terrorism in Senegal

As part of its contribution to the UN Regional Integrated Strategy for the Sahel and through its Sahel Programme, UNODC's office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN) held a training workshop, from 26 to 28 July 2016, for Senegalese judges, prosecutors and law enforcement agents in charge of terrorism cases, financed by the Government of the Netherlands. Read more

Anti-corruption teachings in universities on the right track in Burkina Faso

From 26 to 28 July 2016, UNODC and UNESCO organized a workshop on the integration of anti-corruption teachings at the university level in Burkina Faso. During the event, participants discussed the way in which the different modules of the Anti-corruption Academic Initiative's course could be introduced in already existing courses. Read more

UNODC supports Sahel States' efforts against foreign terrorist fighters

UNODC organized a regional workshop with representatives of the Sahel countries, the EU, Interpol, Japan and experts from Spain and Portugal from 26 to 28 July 2016 in Dakar, Senegal. This workshop aimed to reinforce border control efforts to counter foreign terrorist fighters, a growing security concern for countries in the region. Read more

International Nelson Mandela day: UNODC visits detention centers in Senegal

To commemorate this day, celebrated on the 18th of July, a delegation of the UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN) visited the women's detention establishment and the men's prison of Dakar and officially distributed the "United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners" also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules. Read more

A UNODC delegation visits Bangui, Central African Republic

A UNODC delegation led by the Regional Representative for West and Central Africa, Mr. Pierre Lapaque, met with Central African authorities in Bangui, Central African Republic, from 16 until 23 of July 2016 to analyze the security and justice sectors, and determine the UNODC contribution to the efforts undertaken by other actors to rebuild these sectors. Read more

Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) gathers in Benin

The GA of the NACIWA gathered in Cotonou, Benin from 13 to 15 July 2016 with UNODC support. Hosted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission of Benin and under the auspices of H.E. the President of Benin, Mr. Patrice Talon, the GA brought together representatives of anti-corruption authorities and delegates from ECOWAS, UNODC and civil society. Read more

UNODC and MINUSMA deliver training against international drug trafficking in Mali

From 20 June to 1 July 2016, the UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa organized a training workshop on investigative techniques against international drug trafficking in Bamako, Mali, in collaboration with MINUSMA, in the framework of the project "Support to ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on drug trafficking, organized crime and drug abuse in West Africa." Read more

UNODC launches its 2016 World Drug Report

To raise awareness about drug trafficking and consumption trends across the world, and particularly in the region, the UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa organized a press conference at the United Nations Information Centre in Dakar, Senegal, on 23 June 2016, bringing together several national and international media outlets. Read more

UNODC strenghtens Burkina Faso's criminal justice system on terrorism

The UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN) held a national training workshop, from 13 to 23 June 2016, in Burkina Faso for national criminal justice and law enforcement officials of in charge of terrorism cases. This workshop, the first of a series of three, was destined to the members that will likely make up the new counter-terrorism unit in the country. Read more

Strengthening the protection of children associated with violent extremist groups

From 1 to 3 June 2016, security, justice and child welfare professionals and experts from the Sahel region met in Dakar, Senegal, to analyze the growing phenomenon of children associated with violent extremist groups, and to identify the root causes and the consequences of children's exploitation to strengthen legal responses against this phenomenon. Read more

Malian authorities make record seizures following UNODC specialized training

Malian law enforcement authorities recently seized a record amount of illicit drugs, confiscating over 2.7 tons of cannabis herb in Bamako, Mali, in May 2016. This seizure represents one of the many results brought about by UNODC's efforts to strengthen the capacities of national authorities to counter drug trafficking and transnational organized crime in the region. Read more

UNODC trains 15 trainers to step up the fight against international drug trafficking in Niger

The UNODC Regional Office conducted a training for trainers from 30 May to 2 June 2016 in Niamey, Niger, to strengthen field units mandated to fight against international drug trafficking. The training, which is the first of its kind as part of the ECOWAS support project plan, was held in the premises of the Niamey Police Academy and was attended by fifteen professionals. Read more

UNODC is finalizing its Regional Programme for West Africa (2016-2020)

UNODC invited experts and representatives from ECOWAS, its member States, Mauritania and UNOWAS to a high level consultation meeting in Dakar on 30 and 31 May 2016. In the spirit of strengthening the existing strong partnership, the main purpose of the meeting was to identify the challenges and strategic goals of the coming Regional Program.  Read more 

UNODC enhances investigative capacity on terrorism in Niger

UNODC's office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN) in collaboration with the government of Niger provided a training workshop to 33 judges, prosecutors, police officers, gendarmes and national guards from 24 to 27 May 2016 in Niamey, Niger. This workshop aimed to reinforce their ability to conduct investigations of terrorism-related cases. Read more

UNODC launches train-the-trainer programme on international legal assistance

UNODC delivered two train-the-trainer regional workshops in Ghana (4-15 April 2016) and Nigeria (9-20 May 2016), bringing together 37 magistrates, judicial officers and representatives of law enforcement agencies from the Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, to strengthen their capacities regarding international criminal matters and cooperation. Read more

Coumba Gawlo raises voice against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants

The UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa introduced its new National Goodwill Ambassador against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants for the year 2016 - the notorious Senegalese singer and activist Coumba Gawlo Seck - during a ceremony held on 19 May 2016 at the United Nations information Centre in Dakar, Senegal. Read more

A step forward against money laundering and terrorist financing in Mali

In March 2016, Mali adopted a new anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism law detailing the obligations of national reporting entities. In this context, UNODC organized an awareness raising workshop in Bamako from 17 May to 19 May 2016. The event brought together 23 reporting entities to increase their knowledge and understanding of this new law. Read more

UNODC supports the XXIII anniversary of the Judicial Police of Cabo Verde

On 12 May 2016, UNODC participated in the conference ''Transnational organized crime, terrorism and drug trafficking: Actual situation and challenges of Cape Verde" organized in the framework of the 23rd anniversary of the Cape Verdean Judicial Police. UNODC delivered a presentation on drug trafficking and its impact on Cape Verde. Read more

UNODC promotes the protection of victims and witnesses in the Sahel

UNODC organized a validation meeting of the draft model law on the protection of victims and witnesses for Sahel countries in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 18 to 20 April 2016. The model law was subsequently validated by the representatives, and will act as a guiding tool for states in drafting and/or adopting the necessary legislation. Read more

Burkina Faso adopts law against foreign terrorist fighters

In December 2015, the Government of Burkina Faso adopted an updated counter-terrorism law that features provisions to address the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters. UNODC played a direct role in this adoption through various workshops, and by providing legal drafting expertise. Today, UNODC keeps on delivering such workshops in Burkina Faso. Read more

UNODC sets a way forward to fight organized crime and terrorism in the Sahel

Terrorism, drugs, illicit trafficking, organized crime and corruption are both recurrent and interrelated phenomena jeopardizing peace and security in the Sahel region. The UNODC Sahel Programme organized its first Steering Committee Meeting on 12 and 13 April 2016 in Dakar, Senegal, to set a precise direction for its future priorities alongside national and regional partners. Read more

Penitentiary authorities in Niger integrate the concept of "dynamic security"

The struggle  against violent extremist groups in Mali and Nigeria resulted in the arrest of several members accused or suspected of being affiliated with these groups, currently held in prisons in Niger. To face consequent challenges, UNODC has organized a workshop on dynamic security in prisons. The workshop was held from 5 to 7 April 2016 in Niamey, Niger.  Read more

West African judicial and maritime authorities exchange on pirates hand-over agreements

In the Gulf of Guinea, home to some of the biggest offshore oilfields in the world, maritime crime is on the rise. However, prosecution for piracy in the region is virtually absent. From 14 to 16 March 2016, UNODC brought together prosecutors, judges and policy legal experts from the region in Abuja, Nigeria, to elaborate a strategy against maritime crime. Read more

UNODC and Senegalese municipalities unite against child exploitation

UNODC organized, in partnership with civil society organizations, a march on 3 March 2016 to commemorate the death of 9 talibés in Medina on 3 March 2013. More than a 1,000 people walked in the streets to say "NO" to the exploitation of children through forced begging and encourage the public to advocate for the eradication of forced child begging in Senegal. Read more

The Dakar Joint Port Control Unit seizes over USD 380,000 in counterfeit medicine

In the framework of the joint WCO-UNODC Container Control Programme (CCP), the Joint Port Control Unit (JPCU) of the Dakar seaport seized over USD 380,000 in counterfeit medicine in early 2016. This operation represents a tangible improvement for both national authorities and the region at large, which has increasingly fallen victim to illicit trafficking of all sorts. Read more

The Republic of Guinea reiterates commitment to fight against drug trafficking

Guinea-Conakry is one of the countries located on the drug trafficking route between Latin America and Europe. To reiterate the support of UNODC in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, the Regional Representative, Mr. Pierre Lapaque, undertook a mission to Conakry to meet with Guinean high-level authorities from 7 to 11 February 2016. Read more

UNODC supports Nigeria on fighting piracy and maritime crime

On 19-22 January 2016, UNODC trained more than 30 Nigerian participants on international legal frameworks against piracy and maritime crime. The workshop built the capacity of relevant officers connected with investigating, prosecuting and adjudication of piracy and maritime-related offences, and at forging regional cooperation among nations in the Gulf of Guinea.  Read More

The UNODC Sahel Programme delivers across the region

Since it began its implementation in January 2014, the UNODC Sahel Programme has so far implemented 186 activities and has reached more than 5,700 direct beneficiaries. These efforts generated concrete results across the region on terrorism prevention, anti-corruption, border management and improving judicial systems and law enforcement agencies. Read more

UNODC strengthens firearms marking capacity in West Africa

Among the security challenges affecting the West Africa region, firearms trafficking is of crucial importance. A sub-regional workshop on marking, the maintenance of related marking equipment, and the registration of firearms took place from 4 to 8 January 2016 in Cotonou, Bénin, allowing some twenty experts from the region to reinforce their technical and operational abilities. Read more

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