Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have become a weapon of choice for terrorist groups in West Africa. They are simple to design, and their components remain cheap and easily accessible. The consequence is a steadily increasing number of IED attacks, harming innocent civilians. For regional governments, effectively responding to IED attacks is challenging due to their complex networks and illicit supply chains. To encourage dialogue and best practice sharing, a regional, three-day, in-person meeting, ‘Preventing and Countering the Acquisition and Use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by Terrorist Groups in West Africa’ was held, led by the West Africa Working Group Co-Chairs, Algeria, and Germany.
Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism (REMVE) conducive to terrorism is rising. These threats are in the name of defending perceived threats to racial or ethnic identity, and target those that are viewed as “enemies” or are “to blame” for perceived grievances. To empower practitioners and policymakers currently implementing counter-REMVE strategies and policies, virtual tabletop exercises were held to support the use of the GCTF REMVE Toolkit. The exercises were part of the Awareness Raising and Operationalizing the GCTF REMVE Toolkit Initiative.
The Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Working Group hosted its sixth workshop under its Initiative on Funding and Enabling P/CVE initiatives at the Community Level, supported by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) as implementing partner. This session builds on the previous workshop, highlighting knowledge and best practice sharing in funding and enabling local P/CVE initiatives, while working towards the drafting of the framework document of recommendations.
On 4 May, the 21st GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting was held in Cairo, Egypt. It was the first Coordinating Committee Meeting co-chaired by Egypt and the European Union. The event was opened by H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, and H.E. Ambassador Charles Fries, Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service. Over 150 senior counterterrorism and criminal justice officials and practitioners from more than thirty countries discussed future action to counter global terrorism threats. At the meeting, Co-Chairs presented their vision for the GCTF during their tenure (2023-2025). On the margins of the meeting, two successful side events were held. On 2 May the GCTF FTF and CVE working group leads held ‘Addressing the Challenges Related to the Reintegration and Rehabilitation of FTFs and their Associated Family Members’, and on 3 May, the GCTF Co-Chairs, with the support of the CCCPA and IIJ, held an in-person session on the evolving terrorist landscape on the African continent.
The 21st GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting has come to a successful close, where the Co-Chair's highlighted the Strategic Priorities for a more inclusive, action-oriented GCTF. One that is responsive to changing needs on the ground: an enhanced geographical focus on Africa, whilst not losing sight of the challenges elsewhere; outreach to a broad range of actors, including other international organizations and civil society; promoting women’s participation across the criminal justice chain and gender-sensitive policies. The Meeting also brought a change of Co-Chair to the forum from Morocco to Egypt where gratitude was expressed to Morocco and Egypt warmly welcomed. The Co-Chairs are bringing a refreshed outlook on the Forum's activities, and are confident in the direction of the Forum’s future, strengthened by the support of the GCTF Members and partners.
According to the 2023 Global Terrorism Index, terrorist attacks became more deadly in 2022, killing on average 1.7 people per attack in 2022, compared to 1.3 deaths per attack in 2021. While there has been an overall reduction in the impact of terrorism globally, the African continent continues to be home to violence. Despite considerable efforts, the relative gains achieved through militarized approaches have not managed to stop the spiral of terrorism and violence in the region. The GCTF Co-Chairs, Egypt and the European Union, with the support of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) and the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), organized an in-person side event prior to the 21st GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting to help bring forth real cases and challenges to the Forum, and work towards a sustainable, comprehensive approach to counterterrorism and the prevention of violent extremism.
Rehabilitating and reintegrating FTFs and their family members is complex on social, security and human rights dimensions. To gain a better understanding, collective dialogue and information exchange on capacity building and on the strengthening of good practices tailored to local contexts and human security perspectives, is essential.
On 2 May, an interactive, in-person side event was made possible by the Foreign Terrorist Fighter Working Group (FTF WG), co-chaired by the United States and Jordan, and the Countering Violent Extremism Working Group (CVE WG), co-chaired by Australia and Indonesia, on the margins of the 21st GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting in Cairo, Egypt.
Judicial independence includes the duty and ability of a judge to decide each case on the basis of an objective evaluation of evidence that is presented, and an impartial application of the law, without the influence of outside factors – to ensure that the fundamental rights of all parties to a case have been fully respected. The Plenary Meeting of the GCTF Criminal Justice and Rule of Law (CJ-ROL) Working Group is the first under the Working Group Co-Chairs, Italy and Nigeria. The meeting provides an opportunity for the Co-Chairs to present the Working Group’s main priority areas, and for the participants to reflect on current practices and provide strategic guidance.