Today, 4 February 2014, a three day workshop on Implementing the Algiers Mem-orandum on Good Practices on Preventing and Denying the Benefits of Kidnap-ping for Ransom by Terrorists kicked off at the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism in Algiers. This workshop will leverage training modules de-veloped with the participation of members of the Global Counterterrorism Forum and other partners. The workshop is aimed at enhancing the capacity of the AU Sa-helo-Saharan Member States to counter hostage taking and deny terrorists the benefits of kidnapping for ransom.

The workshop brought together delegates from 11 Sahelo-Saharan countries and experts from Europe, North and South America and Australia to discuss cases to share experience and to identify the most practical ways officials can implement good practices.

H.E. Ambassador Francisco Madeira, AU Commission Chairperson’s Special Repre-sentative for Counter-Terrorism Cooperation/ Director of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) made a welcome statement followed by the Statement of the US Ambassador to Algeria, Ambassador Henry Ensher and the Canadian Chargé d’affairs, Mr. Tim Gorham, made a statement in his capacity as a member of the GCTF Sahel Working Group.

The opening ceremony was concluded by a feature address delivered by the Algeri-an Government Representative Ambassador Mohamed Kamel Rezag-Bara, special advisor to H.E. the president of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

The primary goals of this workshop are to:

• Introduce relevant officials to existing, widely-accepted authorities, stand-ards, tools, and processes for preventing and denying terrorists the benefits of KFR.
• Increase the capabilities of states of the Sahelo-Saharian Region to imple-ment the good practices outlined in the Algiers Memorandum.
• Foster collaboration and cooperation within and among interested states to combat KFR.

By the end of the workshop, participants should be better placed to:

• Compare and contrast approaches to kidnapping response and crisis manage-ment, including methodologies for conducting investigations and prosecu-tions.
• Outline the steps necessary to implement or improve coordination and com-munication mechanisms (inter- and intra-agency, state, region, and interna-tionally) for KFR crisis response.
• Adapt and implement good practices for denying benefits of KFR within their individual national/regional legal and regulatory contexts.

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