Many of the initiatives in the North Africa region have focused on military efforts. This may be because in many North African countries, the military is mainly, if not wholly, responsible for IEDs. This is the case in countries such as in Libya and Tunisia. However, the region would benefit from more focus on preventative measures, such as countering violent extremism, preventing terrorism financing and conducting investigations. Many countries within the North Africa region have requested support in these areas.
Like both the Middle East and, as we shall see in the Sahel, there are two areas most highlighted as a C-IED insecurity. These are borders and resources. Many states lack the equipment to carry out C-IED work to international standards. This is quite easily remedied through international donations of the equipment needed, as has been done in many of the Middle East states.
It is worth noting the inclusion of assistance for psychological support for victims, such as that provided by the DCA in Libya. Such violence has both a physical and psychological impact which in many regions has been largely ignored.
To see the areas of the published report, see here. To see a list of all the C-IED actors examined as part of the project, please go here. To read the full report, ‘Addressing the threat posed by IEDs: National, Regional and Global Initiatives’, see here. To see those engaged in the Middle East, the Sahel, North Africa or other highly impacted countries please see here, here, here, and here respectively. This research was made possible by funding from the NATO Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Centre of Excellence (C-IED COE) and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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