Program Overview

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.

The Department of Defense is supporting TSCTP by working with U.S. Africa Command on Operation Enduring Freedom Trans Sahara (OEF-TS).

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.

Related content: Operation Enduring Freedom Trans-Sahara Factsheet