United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism Concludes the 2024 Edition of the Specialized Counter-Terrorism Investigations Training Programme
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), through its Programme Office for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa, successfully concluded the 2024 edition of the Specialized Counter-Terrorism Investigations Training Programme (STOCTI) with a graduation ceremony held on 25 October at the ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat.
Launched in 2022, the STOCTI programme has become a cornerstone of UNOCT’s efforts to enhance the counter-terrorism capabilities of African law enforcement agencies. By providing specialized training grounded in international best practices, the programme continues to contribute to a more coordinated and effective response to terrorism across the continent.
This year, STOCTI programme, implemented in partnership with Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, provided cutting-edge, practice-oriented training to 22 law enforcement officers from seven African countries: Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, and Togo. During the ceremony, graduates were awarded executive master’s degree diploma from Al Akhawayn University in recognition of their successful completion of the programme.
The 2024 edition of STOCTI, accredited by the New England Commission for Higher Education as an Executive Master’s Degree, focused on enhancing participants’ technical skills in counter-terrorism investigations, while promoting the principles of the rule of law and human rights.
UNOCT’s Programme Office for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa, based in Rabat, serves as a regional counter-terrorism training hub. Together with the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Programme Office develops capacity-building assistance in the form of accredited training programmes and promotes regional counter-terrorism cooperation and information sharing, particularly in West Africa and the Sahel, where terrorist groups threaten the security, lives, and livelihoods of people across the region.
In his pre-recorded statement, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of UNOCT, welcomed the participants: “I congratulate you on this important milestone in your professional development. The skills and knowledge you have acquired over the last months will empower you to effectively address the complex challenges of counter-terrorism. The contacts and connections you have established here with your peers and instructors will also play a key role to promote international cooperation in our shared efforts to enhance security and resilience.” He also expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco for its vital role as a host country for the UNOCT Programme Office in Rabat, and commended the Governments of Australia, Canada, China, France, Italy, and Portugal for their generous financial contribution that supported the 2024 cohort.
The Director General of ICESCO, Dr. Salim AlMalik, said “I congratulate the 22 graduates, who completed one of the most prestigious training programmes in the field of counter-terrorism investigations. I commend your determination, discipline, and dedication to this cause throughout the training. Your efforts exemplify the spirit of global cooperation, working towards safeguarding the lives of countless innocent people”.
Speaking on behalf of the host country, Morocco, H.E. Mr. Mustapha El Alami El Fellousse, from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates noted: “The close and fruitful collaboration between the Kingdom of Morocco and the UNOCT serves as a model of international partnership, strengthening regional and national capacities across Africa to combat terrorism. This commitment reflects Morocco's dedication to advancing peace and security, in alignment with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI for a safe and stable future through collective action”.