The IIJ Academic Unit successfully concluded the eighth edition of its Investigators and Prosecutors Counter-Terrorism Academic Curriculum (IP CTAC), a programme dedicated to French-speaking practitioners from West Africa and the Sahel. Supported by the Government of Denmark, the in-person component took place in Malta from 29 September to 3 October 2025, building on the themes introduced during the online phase held from 9 June to 11 July 2025.
The course brought together senior investigators, prosecutors and law enforcement officials from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, and the Central African Republic. It featured contributions from distinguished experts including Dr Seidik Abba, analyst and researcher specialising in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel; Mr Jean Bernard Oyono Eva Oyono II, Government Commissioner at the Courts of Appeal of the North-West, South-West and West of Cameroon; and Mr Claudio Gramizzi, Regional Manager for West Africa at Conflict Armament Research (CAR).
Throughout the course, participants engaged in interactive discussions, practical exercises, and case studies focusing on a wide range of topics. Sessions explored the emergence of the terrorist threat in the Sahel, the Gulf of Guinea and Central Africa, its financing mechanisms, causes of expansion, and strategies to counter it. Other modules examined lessons learned from terrorism investigations across the regions, with a focus on crime scene management, the analysis and tracing of seized firearms, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as witness protection challenges in terrorism and organised crime cases. Participants also deepened their understanding of sub-regional and international cooperation, highlighting the importance of information sharing and judicial cooperation networks.
The training culminated in a mock hearing session simulating an extradition case involving a terrorist suspect, allowing participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the programme in a realistic courtroom scenario.
The IIJ was honoured by the presence of Mr Adam Ravinkilde, Counterterrorism Coordinator and Chief Adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, who attended the mock hearing exercise and addressed participants during the closing ceremony. In his remarks, Mr Ravinkilde highlighted Denmark’s continued support to the IIJ and underscored the importance of sustained regional cooperation in strengthening counter-terrorism capacities across West Africa and the Sahel which contributes to upholding the rule of Law and Human Rights.
Steven Hill, Executive Secretary of the IIJ, and Naoufel Gaied, Director of the IIJ Academic Unit, also delivered closing remarks, commending participants for their dedication and engagement throughout the programme, and expressing appreciation to the experts, practitioners, and partners for their valuable contributions and collaboration.
The IIJ extends its sincere appreciation to the Government of Denmark for its generous support, and to all experts and participants for their commitment to strengthening judicial cooperation and enhancing counter-terrorism capacities across West Africa and the Sahel.