The African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) represented by Mr. Elias BENYU-Training Specialist, participated in the inaugural programme support visit workshop under the auspices of Component four (4) of the Counter Terrorism (CT) INFLOW/CEPOL project. The workshop took place in Tunis, Tunisia from 06 to 07 September 2022.

Component 4 of the CT INFLOW/CEPOL project seeks to enhance the capacities of beneficiaries for exchanging information on terrorism matters and establish a model to deliver a joint regional threat assessment.

Mr. Benyu appraised the participants on the general terrorism and violent extremism threat situation across the African continent. This was followed by focused threat analysis of North Africa covering the situations in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. Finally, he explained to the participants the type of data collected by the ACSRT, the data sources and collection methodologies (zeroing on Triangulation), data analysis, information recipients, reporting modalities, and the Centre’s existing products.

The Workshop aimed at initiating the enhancement of the exchange of information on terrorism matters between the participants and the development of a join regional threat assessment. In this regard, it sought to facilitate collection of information on the present situation regarding existing information sharing trends and the process of fusion on the national, regional, and international levels in a bid to boost the participants’ understanding of existing practices, obstacles and challenges, and potential ways forward that require to be rooted in local visions and realities. Furthermore, it sought to address questions and facilitate discussions on the existing (best) practices, obstacles encountered in terms of collection of data, fusion and sharing and the usefulness of the output.

The Workshop which was organized by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), with the assistance of VNG International and RADAR, brought together participants from Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Experts from regional organizations including the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), and the Arab Interior Ministers’ Council (AIMC) supported the workshop as Subject Matter Experts (SME). Facilitators were drawn from CEPOL, RADAR, and VNG International. The MENA regional countries participants represented various sectors including Police, State Security Apparatuses, and Fusion Centres.

At the end of the workshop, participants developed modalities for developing a MENA Terrorism Trends and Situation Report (TE-SAT). The TE-SAT Report is to be produced within 12 months post the Workshop. The organizers also notified the participants of a follow up Workshop which will be held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on dates yet to be announced.