G5 Sahel
As the first partner of the G5 Sahel, UNODC supports the Police Component of the G5 Sahel Joint Force, the Security Cooperation Platform, the Regional Police Academy and the G5 Sahel Women's Platform. UNODC also supports Cellrad in the prevention of violent extremism and facilitates the design of security-development projects in partnership with UN agencies.
Transnational Organized Crime
UNODC supports the implementation of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Convention) and its supplementary protocols. In particular, the program is involved in :
Trafficking in Persons and Illicit Trafficking in Migrants, Drugs and Firearms, Money Laundering and Cybercrime by equipping the country with a digital forensics laboratory. UNODC is also supporting the research and analysis capacities of the connections between organized crime and terrorism.
Terrorism
UNODC promotes the implementation of international conventions within governments, not only through the development of appropriate national legislation, but also by supporting the judicial treatment of terrorism cases. For example, UNODC has developed a program to support the Government of Mauritania in preventing violent extremism through the establishment of a network of Mourchidates - female religious and community leaders - who are responsible for raising awareness of religious arguments that deconstruct the radical discourse of violent extremist groups.
Anti-Corruption
UNODC supports national authorities to fight corruption more effectively through the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), including legislative, policy and institutional assistance, and sensitization of citizens and civil society on anti-corruption issues. UNODC also supports the Norbert Zongo Unit for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO) and has put in place initiatives to promote investigative journalism on issues such as corruption and organized crime.
Strengthening criminal justice systems
In the prison environment, the Sahel Program supports countries in the areas of.
Prevention of radicalization.
Reducing the number of prisoners awaiting trial.
Technical assistance for juvenile justice.
Processing of terrorism cases.
Capacity building for prison staff.