From 01 - 05 of June 2026, the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), with the support of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (France) Crisis and Support Centre, organised a week Training of Trainers in Counter-Terrorism for practitioners from West and Central Africa.
With the participation of Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature, France and Académie Internationale de Lutte contre le Terrorisme (AILCT) based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the programme brought together high level judges and prosecutors from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and Togo.
Building on the online flipped learning phase conducted from 19–29 May, participants engaged in practical exercises focused on developing the skills required to train fellow justice practitioners and design high-quality training programmes. Through simulations, case study development, training needs assessment methodologies, and peer-learning activities, they strengthened their capacity to identify operational challenges and translate them into effective learning objectives and training solutions.
Participants also enhanced their ability to adapt training content to national legal contexts, evaluate learning outcomes, and measure the impact of training initiatives. A key outcome of the programme has been the reinforcement of practical training skills and the consolidation of a shared approach to capacity-building grounded in operational realities and the rule of law.
Importantly, participants leave Malta with five complete training packages ready for deployment in their respective countries and regions. Developed throughout the programme, these pedagogical modules provide practical and adaptable tools to support future training activities, notably on international cooperation in criminal matters, the protection of human rights in counter-terrorism proceedings, and the social reintegration and rehabilitation of terrorist offenders. These ready-to-use resources will facilitate the rapid dissemination of knowledge and good practices among justice practitioners across West and Central Africa.
During the closing ceremony, Mr. Dorian Farrugia from Malta’s Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs reaffirmed his country's continued support for the IIJ and its mission. H.E. Mrs. Sandrine Lelong-Motta, Ambassador of France to Malta, highlighted the importance of this initiative in strengthening regional capacities and fostering cooperation among justice practitioners. Executive Secretary Naoufel Gaied reminded participants that they now leave as ambassadors of the IIJ, with a responsibility to put into practice the knowledge, methodologies and training tools acquired throughout the programme.
Speaking on behalf of the cohort, the participants’ representative reaffirmed the commitment of this distinguished group of practitioners to actively deploy these training programmes and contribute to strengthening counter-terrorism capacities across their respective institutions and regions.
The IIJ congratulates all participants on their successful completion of the programme and looks forward to seeing the impact of their work multiplied throughout West and Central Africa.