UN counterterrorism chief commends Sudan for initiative in detection, interdiction of terrorists

The head of the UN’s Office of Counterterrorism (UNOCT), Dr Raffi Gregorian, has commended the Sudanese government’s “expressions of commitment” to counterterrorism.

In a statement today at the end of a three-day visit to Khartoum by a multi-agency UN delegation to assess Sudan’s current capability to use passenger data to detect and interdict foreign terrorist fighters in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2396 (2017), Gregorian said: “The Sudanese authorities are to be commended for inviting this mission and arranging for all relevant stakeholders to participate actively in the assessment. They gave consistent and strong expressions of commitment.”

Gregorian noted that “when implemented properly, the UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme* can help Sudan meet its obligations under UN Security Council resolution 2396 and demonstrate its willingness to be a credible and reliable partner in countering international terrorism,” He added that “having such a system in place can also help Sudan preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity while making it possible to facilitate legitimate travel and boost the economy.”

The official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) confirms that the UNOCT director Gregorian met with Sudan’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Omar Manis and his delegation in Khartoum today.

The Meeting discussed cooperation between Sudan and United Nations for counter terrorism and the effort of the UN in this field, SUNA reports.

*Launched on 7 May 2019, the UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme is implemented by UNOCT through an “All-of-UN” partnership with the Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT), and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). The Programme provides legislative and operational support, transport industries engagement, and technical assistance using the UN goTravel software system. The Mission was carried out in collaboration with the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator and UNDP.

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