Ifrane, Morocco ¨C The Â鶹APP Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), through its Rabat-based Programme Office for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa, has delivered the Intermediate Module of the 2024 Specialized Counter-Terrorism Investigations Training Programme (STOCTI). This training, a collaboration with Al-Akhwayan University in Ifrane, underscores the commitment to enhancing counter-terrorism capabilities across the continent.
The Intermediate Module of the STOCTI programme, which ran from 18 June to 19 July 2024, welcomed back 22 law enforcement officers from seven African countries: Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, the Republic of Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, and Togo. These officers are participating in the third iteration of the STOCTI course, a training consisting of 450 hours of in-person instruction divided into Foundational, Intermediate, and Advanced modules. Upon successful completion, participants will earn an Executive Master¡¯s degree.
Hands-On Learning and Practical Skills Development
The Intermediate Module of the STOCTI programme is designed to provide law enforcement officers with a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills critical for effective counter-terrorism investigations. The pedagogical content of this module emphasizes active learning through real-world scenarios, practical exercises, and interactive sessions.
Participants engaged in intensive Crime Scene Management training, where they learned to secure and process crime scenes, collect and preserve evidence, and use forensic tools and techniques. These sessions, led by experts from DGSN Morocco and the Portuguese Judicial Police, included practical exercises that simulate real-life situations, allowing officers to apply their skills in controlled environments.
The Intermediate Module also included a specialized training on Financial Intelligence Analysis. Participants were taught how to trace and analyze financial transactions linked to terrorist activities, employing methodologies taught by the Guardia di Finanza from Italy and the Federal Financial Monitoring Service from the Russian Federation.
Participants also received a training in Special Investigative Techniques including surveillance, counter-surveillance and gathering intelligence. This segment, conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, focuses on the application of these techniques in counter-terrorism contexts. Practical exercises, such as role-playing and simulated operations, helped participants refine their tactical skills.
This module also entailed a course on Investigative Interviewing, where participants learned techniques for interviewing suspects, witnesses, and victims. Within this course the Australian Federal Police provided practical exercises and mock interviews, providing officers with hands-on experience.
The UNOCT Programme Office for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa, in partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco, plays a pivotal role as a regional hub for counter-terrorism capacity-building and training. By providing accredited training programmes that leverage local, regional, and international expertise, the Office aims to bolster the counter-terrorism knowledge, skills, and tools of law enforcement and border security officers across Africa.
