Project 055: Strengthening cross-border capacity for control and detection of CBRN substances

Context

While the movement of goods and people is constantly increasing, the risks posed by the CBRN threat are becoming more significant in the Sahelo-Saharan region. The FRONSEC project, launched in October 2016, aims to strengthen the controls and security of actors at the borders of partner countries in the area to mitigate these risks, by improving the cohesion of national services and the consistency of their actions.

At the crossroads of traditional trade routes of various kinds, the Sahel and Sahara regions are a major strategic issue. The porosity of certain borders and the use of goods or raw materials that may represent a CBRN risk can therefore create a risky situation.

Overall objective

The overall objective of the project will be to:

1. Standardize legislative texts relating to CBRN security according to international standards on a regional way;
2. Rely on the P63 program aimed at providing each country with the protection and detection equipment essential to partner countries to ensure the management of CBRN risks;
3. Create a regional dynamic to strengthen border security through the training of security forces (controls of goods and people at borders, internal security and civil security) of partner countries.

Specific objectives

1. To strengthen the national CBRN legal framework of the covered countries;
2. To provide specialised and technical training to enhance CBRN preparedness and response capabilities for border security and cross border cooperation.

Activities

1. Reviewing legislation, identification of gaps in this legislation with international laws and standards and its implementation;
2. Identifying training centers;
3. Developing an inventory of reference laboratories for the identification of detected CBRN substances;
4. Training workshops and practical capacity building;
5. Identifying local expertise for the identification of previously detected substances.

Achievements

• An inventory of internal legal bases dealing with CBRN has been completed and the recommendations disseminated;
• Partner Countries have followed the training of trainers (online) to raise awareness about CBRN substances among target audiences (Customs, Gendarmerie, Police);
• A two-day online theoretical training program on safety when controlling CBRN substances;
• Initial training on procedures for the control and detection of CBRN materials at legal borders.