UN "CONNECT" Operational Launch Hosted by Algeria

Algiers hosted the official launch of the operational phase of the United Nations "CONNECT" strategic framework for West Africa and the Sahel, an initiative under the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The event saw international praise for Algeria's extensive experience in combating terrorism and its pivotal role in fostering regional cooperation against terrorist threats and their links to transnational organized crime. Participants highlighted the importance of selecting Algeria to host this stage, recognizing its expertise in counter-terrorism.

Ms. Baya Ben Ismaïl, Director General for Multilateral Relations at Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscored the complex regional security landscape, where terrorist threats are intertwined with cross-border organized crime activities. She noted that terrorist groups in the Sahel and West Africa increasingly rely on illicit funding sources, including trafficking in drugs, arms, and humans, kidnapping for ransom, and illegal exploitation of natural resources. Ms. Ben Ismaïl stressed the need for enhanced cooperation, pointing out that current inter-agency collaboration often remains limited to basic information exchange, failing to translate regularly into joint investigations and operations.

The "CONNECT" framework, adopted by a group of African countries in Vienna last November and presented in New York last July, now enters its operational phase from Algeria, guided by the UN Charter and relevant international instruments, advocating for a multilateral collective action approach. Algeria's strategy, led by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, is founded on the principle of "African solutions for African problems," encompassing not only security measures and operational actions but also addressing the root causes of extremism, supporting sustainable development in vulnerable areas, and strengthening intelligence coordination. Ms. Myrna Bou Habib, Deputy Regional Representative for the UNODC Middle East and North Africa Office, and Ms. Maimounata Ouattara, Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso to international organizations in Vienna, both commended Algeria's counter-terrorism experience and its commitment to regional efforts, identifying Algerian expertise as crucial for successful joint action in the region.