First-ever West Africa Joint Operations exercise a good step towards prosecuting terrorists
Written by defenceWeb -
A hotel that was attacked by terrorists in Burkina Faso.
The US Bureau of Diplomatic Security held the first-ever West Africa Joint Operations regional exercise on 29 March 2021.
The exercise was aimed at connecting counterterrorism investigations with their judicial counterparts in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Organised by the US Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance Program, also known as ATA, this exercise saw 80 law enforcement and judiciary officers take part.
This West Africa Joint Operations exercise focussed on gathering timely and accurate evidence while working with judicial authorities to ensure adherence to local laws. Julie Cabus, US Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Deputy Assistant Secretary, said goals of the exercise included, “enhancing the investigative capacity and capability of units focused on terrorism cases in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger; ensuring investigations adhere to the rule of law and the principles of human rights; and facilitating regional cross-border cooperation by sharing best practices.”