¹ú²úAV

Objectives

The project aims to support regional efforts of G5 Sahel countries to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism.

Components

• Establish a regional counter-radicalization cell (CELLRAD), fully operational
• Develop a handbook on good practices for community resilience in the G5 Sahel region
• Conduct training to improve the G5 Sahel¡¯s capacity to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism

Main achievements

The principal achievements of this project included:

• The support to the operationalization of the G5 Sahel regional cell on countering radicalization and prevention of violent extremism (CELLRAD), established within the Permanent Secretariat of the G5 Sahel in 2016, to implement the recommendations of the May 2015 Niamey Declaration of Ministers in charge of Religious Affairs, and its national antennae.

• The development of the ¡°Handbook of Good Practices in Community Resilience to Radicalization and Violent Extremism in the G5 Sahel countries¡±, which aimed at identifying, anticipating and addressing radicalization and violent extremism trends was developed. This handbook is the result of a lengthy and inclusive process conducted by UNOCT and UNOWAS in partnership with the G5 Sahel after the holding of technical and validation workshops in March and May 2019 in Nouakchott, bringing together some 50 and 35 participants respectively.

• The findings and recommendations of the handbook were presented during the Regional Conference on parliamentary engagement in addressing terrorism and conditions conducive to terrorism, in Niamey, Niger from 12 to 14 June 2019, co-organized by UNOCT, UNODC and the Inter-Parliamentary Union under their Joint Programme. The handbook was prepared in French and translated into the five other UN official languages.

• Three regional capacity-building workshops were held, with the participation of approximately 110 G5 Sahel officials:

  • On Border and Security Management, in September 2017, in Niamey, Niger. It focused on strengthening intra-agency and inter-agency cooperation, with a view to counter terrorism and stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters in the G5 Sahel region. 21 senior Border and Security Management practitioners from the G5 Sahel countries participated.
  • On intra-agency and inter-agency cooperation on best practices to address and prevent kidnapping for ransom, in September and November 2018 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, for law enforcement officials. A total of 40 participants took part in the exercise. All countries of the G5 Sahel were represented.
  • On the role of education in PVE, from 6 to 8 November 2018 in Nouakchott, Mauritania for the G5 Sahel Countries, in partnership with the G5 Sahel Permanent Secretariat, UNESCO and UNOWAS. The workshop gathered a total of 52 participants of which 18 women from the G5 Sahel countries and Kenya and Nigeria.

Impact

The project has increased cooperation and a greater understanding of the communities¡¯ concerns and expectations.

Pictures

The opening session of the capacity building workshop on Addressing Kidnapping for Ransom, 4 to 6 September 2018 in Nouakchott, Mauritania

Mr. Abdoulaye B? (Cordoba Foundation of Geneva) answering participants¡¯ questions about AQIM activities in the Sahel, capacity building workshop on Addressing Kidnapping for Ransom, 4 to 6 September 2018 in Nouakchott, Mauritania