Cooperation between Italy and Niger: until Thursday, May 11, in Niamey the new higher education anti-terrorism course for magistrates in the African country, funded by the Farnesina and coordinated by the Sant'Anna School

The cooperation activity between Italy and Niger continues thanks to the new higher education course on investigation techniques in the field of countering international terrorism, for the benefit of local magistrates, scheduled in Niamey until Thursday, May 11. The advanced training course is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and is coordinated by the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, in collaboration with Niger's counterparts: the Ministry of Justice and the Magistrates' Training School.

Niger is a priority country for Italian cooperation, and this project aims to enhance participants' skills on investigation and evidence-gathering techniques to counter international terrorism, strengthening law enforcement capabilities and providing the tools to judge, in a manner consistent with international standards, terrorist organizations. Italian and African experts are participating in the course, and among them is Lt. Col. Onofrio Panebianco, Commander of the Carabinieri, an expert in counter-terrorism investigations and techniques.

The new higher education course for Niger continues to see the Sant'Anna School engaged, following similar initiatives that took place between 2018 and 2022, particularly with the project "Strengthening the Justice Systems of African Countries through Training (2022-23)". For the success of these activities, the support provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Embassy in Niamey, Niger, has always proved crucial.

"The course in favor of Niger magistrates", comments the Italian Ambassador in Niamey, Emilia Gatto, "further consolidates the training and assistance activities that the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has been supporting for many years in the country, activities carried out with the decisive contribution of the Sant'Anna School".

"The Sant'Anna School is proud to contribute to this important technical cooperation project, which aims to strengthen the skills of magistrates in Sahelian countries in the fight against international terrorism", says Andrea de Guttry, Full Professor of International Law and scientific coordinator of the project. "We are convinced that through training and strengthening judicial institutions it is possible to promote the rule of law in a key area for the stability of the African continent and Europe".