Networking of Common Operational Partnerships

ended

The general objective of our project is to establish a network between the Common Operational Partnerships (COP) and Joint Investigation Teams (JIT) in West and Central Africa. These field teams are mentoring and working with local investigation units and their action includes the organizational, strategic and operational aspects of combating the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings. The NET COP will bring together 4 COPs already established – or in the process of being established – in the region : COP Senegal, COP Guinea, COP Ivory Coast, COP Mali and the 3 JIT set up in Niger, Gambia and Mauritania. Priority will be given to the exchange and analysis of operational information between the teams in the region, starting with the exchange of best practices followed by a structured exchange and analysis of information (Real time Intelligence Exchange). Our specific objective is to foster a communication and analysis platform to strengthen links between different EU projects targeting the activities of criminal smuggling and human trafficking organizations. Operational cooperation will also be reinforced through organization of regional workshops, conferences, trainings and exchanges/twinning between African investigation units. The stakeholders of our project will always operate with a global vision and the planned activities will benefit from this approach keeping at the core of our action, the connection and exchange between the investigation units. This approach will facilitate coordinated joint investigations by the law enforcement authorities in the countries concerned as well as in the region itself. By bringing in the existing expertise of participating EU Member States, illegal migration and human trafficking in Africa will be tackled in a sustained manner, life-threatening migration across the Mediterranean will be minimized and the internal security of the EU will be strengthened.