Launch of the Roadmap on Countering Terrorist Threats against Vulnerable Targets in Senegal

As part of the United Nations Global Programme on Countering Terrorist Threats against Vulnerable Targets, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) organized a three-day workshop in Dakar, Senegal, on 28-30 April 2025. The event was opened by General Daouda Diop, Coordinator of Senegal’s Interministerial Framework for Coordination of Counter-Terrorism Operations (CICO); Ms. Aminata Maiga, UN Resident Coordinator in Senegal; and Lt. Col. Claire Forgues, representing France as funding partner of the project.

Following in-depth consultations in December 2024, led by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and UNOCT, the workshop aimed to launch Senegal’s Roadmap (National Action Plan) for countering terrorist threats against vulnerable targets and provide introductory capacity-building on the protection of critical infrastructure and public spaces.

The workshop brought together 36 officials from key Senegalese ministries and law enforcement agencies. Experts from UNOCT, CTED, UNODC, the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre (AUCTC), INTERPOL, and the Belgian Police participated as speakers.

The sessions covered the Roadmap’s development process, objectives, and key priorities. Experts discussed national and regional terrorist trends and evolving tactics targeting critical infrastructure and public spaces. Sessions focused on the applicable legal and international legal frameworks, best practices on law enforcement strategies, the use of databases for protecting vulnerable targets, different models of critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity and new technologies, and the use of autonomous remotely operated systems, among others. Public-private partnerships, inter-agency coordination, and crisis management procedures were also discussed. Additionally, tailored sessions highlighted human rights and gender considerations in the protection of vulnerable targets, underlining the importance of inclusive and rights-based security strategies.