22 October 2025
The GCTF has launched a new resource entitled the Lomé Recommendations on Preventing and Countering the Acquisition and Use of Improvised Explosive Devices by Terrorist Groups in West Africa.
Informed by a comprehensive and collaborative process, this practical and publicly available set of good practices provides national law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and criminal justice actors with actionable measures* related to strengthening the response to the threat posed by the acquisition and use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by terrorist groups in West Africa. The culmination of several consultations with key stakeholders including governmental bodies, security forces, regional organizations, and United Nations entities, the Framework Document highlights local standards and best practices to develop capacity-building needs to support national and regional Counter-IED capabilities in West Africa. Both actionable and tailored to local realities, the recommendations include the detection and disruption of IED networks and illicit supply chains along with the investigation and prosecution of related terrorist crimes.
The toolkit was developed with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
*GCTF Recommendations, Memoranda, Good Practices and other guiding documents are non-binding, and their implementation should always respect national sovereignty and consider countries' varied histories, cultures, legal systems, and norms.