Niger: training course on skills for combating terrorism

Upon the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies of Pisa, a training course was held in Niamey, Niger, on investigation techniques to be used in combating terrorism restricted to 20 local judges and magistrates. The aim of the course was to boost terrorism combating skills and provide instruments to judge terrorist organizations consistently with international standards. The course is a follow-up of the one held at the end of August entitled “Training Trainers”, which was aimed at enhancing the pedagogical, teaching and methodological skills of Nigerian trainers. The course closed with a ceremony hosted by Italian Ambassador Marco Prencipe, which was attended by the Minister of Justice of Niger, Amadou Marou. At the ceremony, he said: “Terrorism has an impact on our economy and social peace, as well as on the integrity of the State and law enforcement. This creates the need to continue to enhance expertise through qualified training activities targeted on magistrates.” Thus, Marou expressed the wish that Italy continue to support Niger in enhancing the skills of magistrates in combating organised crime, in the light of the competence acquired by Italy in fighting mafias. He went on: “Italy is capable of providing the quality training that Nigerien magistrates and law enforcers need, in consideration of our national security context and the need to adequately tackle transnational organised crime and illicit trafficking.” On his part, Ambassador Prencipe underscored that Italy’s initiatives “are the result of the joint decision of the Italian and Nigerien Governments and tangible proof of Italy’s desire to support Niger in the Country’s administration of justice, which has to tackle evident challenges, especially in combating organised crime and illicit trafficking.” Ambassador Prencipe concluded: “Justice cooperation falls within the broader context of Italian-Nigerien bilateral relations and constitutes our evident attention for the needs expressed by Niger.”