The Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) is a
multi-faceted, multi-year U.S. Government (USG) program
aimed at defeating terrorist organizations by:
• strengthening regional counterterrorism capabilities,
• enhancing and institutionalizing cooperation among the
region’s security forces,
• promoting democratic governance,
• discrediting terrorist ideology, and
• reinforcing bilateral military ties with the United States.
The overall goals are to enhance
the indigenous capacities of
governments in the Pan-Sahel
(Mauritania, Mali, Chad, and Niger,
as well as Nigeria and Senegal)
to confront the challenge posed
by terrorist organizations in the
region. Additionally, TSCTP will
facilitate cooperation between the Pan-Sahel countries
and Maghreb partners (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia) in
combating terrorism.
Building Partner Nation Capability
TSCTP is a five-year program of counterterrorism, democratic
governance, and military assistance and includes a public
diplomacy component. Its main elements include:
• Counterterrorism (CT) programs to create a new regional
focus for trans-Saharan cooperation, including use of
established regional organizations like the African Union
and its new Center for the Study and Research on Terrorism
in Algiers. These programs include training to improve
border and aviation security and overall CT readiness;
• Continued specialized Counterterrorism Assistance Training
and Terrorist Interdiction Program (TIP) activities in the
Trans-Sahara region and possible regional expansion of
those programs;
• Public diplomacy programs that expand outreach efforts
in the Sahel and Maghreb regions, Nigeria, and Senegal
and seek to develop regional programming embracing
this vast and diverse region. Emphasis is on preserving
the traditional tolerance and moderation displayed in
most African Muslim communities and countering the
development of extremism, particularly in youth and
rural populations;
• Democratic governance programs that strive, in particular,
to provide adequate levels of U.S. Government support for
democratic and economic development in the
Sahel, strengthening those states’ ability to withstand
internal threats
• Military programs intended to expand military-to-military
cooperation, to ensure adequate resources are available
to train, advise, and assist regional forces, and to establish
institutions promoting better regional cooperation, communication,
and intelligence sharing.
History of TSCTP
TSCTP is an extension of the successful Pan-Sahel Initiative
(PSI), completed in early 2004, which focused on Mali,
Mauritania, Niger and Chad. Its goals supported two U.S.
national security interests in Africa: waging the war on
terrorism and enhancing regional peace and security.
Under the PSI, OEFTS helped train and equip one rapid-reaction company, about 150 soldiers, in each of the four Saharan states to enhance border capabilities against arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and the movement of trans-national terrorists.
TSCTP officially kicked off in June 2005 with Exercise Flintlock
2005. US special operations forces train their counterparts in
seven Saharan countries, teaching military tactics critical in
enhancing regional security and stability.
Support from other United States Government Partners
Other U.S. government agencies also will become active
players in this partnership. The U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) is working on developing civil society
programs in TSCTP countries including distribution of radios
in Mail and Niger to help connect the government with
local communities and providing governance training and
assistance in Chad.
This program
works with partner nations to provide training and support
to partner nations with an emphasis on preventing terrorism
and helping to enhance the stability of OEF-TS countries.
Other USG partners that are working with the TSCTP
include the Department of Treasury and Federal Bureau
of Investigation. While providing an interagency approach
to the region, the United States will continue efforts to get
participating nations to think regionally about their mutual
security concerns.
Multinational Support
As a top priority, increasing multinational partner support
for TSCTP will build upon existing African regional coalitions
such as the African Union and the Economic Community
of Western African States. The State Department is actively
engaging other countries and organizations to join TSCTP
efforts in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TSCTP?
TSCTP is a State Department-led initiative specifically
developed to address potential expansion of operations by
terrorist and extremist organizations across West and North
Africa. Interagency coordination is critical to its success.
The partnership comprises the U.S. Maghreb nations:
Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Sahel nations Chad, Mali,
Mauritania, and Niger. The partnership also includes
Nigeria and Senegal.
What is OEF-TS?
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Operation Enduring Freedom Trans Sahara (OEF-TS) is the U.S. Government's Regional War on Terrorism Operation and provides military support to the Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP) program. OEF-TS engagement in TSCTP focuses on overall security and cooperation rather than solely on Counter Terrorism. OEF-TS partnership comprises the United States and eleven African countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal.
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