7 September 2022
African terrorist groups and violent extremists routinely exploit coastlines, seas, and waterways. A more thorough understanding of the maritime domain in the African context can contribute to enhanced maritime security in the region.
Following the launch of the Addendum to the GCTF New York Memorandum on Good Practices for Interdicting Terrorist Travel (September 2021) developed through the Maritime Security and Terrorist Travel Initiative, the Foreign Terrorist Fighter (FTF) Working Group Co-Chairs, the United States and Jordan, held an African-focused virtual workshop to address and promote the effective use of the Addendum’s Good Practices among African states. This workshop explored how African terrorist groups and violent extremist groups operate, and the ways in which African states can facilitate sustainable and long-term relationships with coastal communities and the private sector to bolster data collection and whole-of-society approaches for preventing and interdicting maritime terrorist travel. Insights into existing African agreements designed to enhance maritime security were provided and the workshop highlighted the crucial role of international cooperation in interdicting maritime terrorist. Government representatives as well as those from international organizations, the private sector, civil society, and academia were present.
The Addendum complements the New York Memorandum on Good Practices for Interdicting Terrorist Travel focusing on response actions in the maritime environment and provides additional recommended good practices for government and private sector partners to address and prevent potential terrorist misuse of the maritime sector. This event is the first of a series of activities that will take place following the launch of the Addendum, held under the auspices of the FTF Working Group.