6 April 2019
DINARD DECLARATIONON THE PARTNERSHIP FOR A COMPREHENSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY TO
COMBAT ILLICIT TRAFFICKING IN THE SAHEL REGION

Discussing the situation in the Sahel region, we have agreed on the urgent need to address theillicit trafficking in drugs, small arms and light weapons (SALW), trafficking in persons, andsmuggling of migrants, especially as these criminal activities fuel instability and corruption,jeopardize rule of law and peace efforts, create a breeding ground for terrorist organizations, andcontribute to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation. The influence of criminal groups
undermines national and international efforts to create better opportunities for the people in the licit
economy.
The fight against illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and SALW is a challenge linked to the fightagainst terrorism and its financing, as well as the implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation
Agreement in Mali. Additionally, migrants in the Sahel and North Africa can be vulnerable tovarious forms of human trafficking, including sex trafficking and forced labor.
Several cooperation programs are in place, but results are so far too limited, due to the scale of thechallenge, the lack of capabilities, the limited presence of state authorities in vulnerable areas, andthe need for reinforced coordination and sustained monitoring of international support.
The multidimensional aspect of the fight against trafficking calls for an integrated regional
development and security response taking into account the intraregional dynamics in West Africa.
We have therefore decided to launch an Initiative for a new political Partnership for acomprehensive and sustainable strategy to combat the illicit trafficking in drugs and SALW,
trafficking in persons, and smuggling of migrants in the Sahel region.
As participants of the joint Partnership we commit to:-Further engaging with G5 Sahel countries in order to foster our bilateral andmultilateral cooperation (both operational and capacity-building) in the fight against
transnational criminal networks involved in the illicit trade in narcotic drugs, SALW,
trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in the wider Sahel region, in accordancewith internationally recognized standards and principles.

-Reinforcing a comprehensive security and development partnership, whereby G5
countries take ownership of national and regional action plans focused on law enforcement
and ensuring an effective criminal justice response, including protection and assistance tovictims. Meanwhile, international and regional stakeholders and donors commit to continue
exploring ways to provide resources to support this effort, notably through bettercoordination.
-Assisting in the establishment of a roadmap for the G5 Sahel, containing a timetable,
objectives and performance indicators, with the association of willing ECOWAS
member states and all relevant international stakeholders, in particular UN, AU andEU, to continue to strengthen law enforcement and judiciary systems (“penal chain”),
supporting integrated border controls, intelligence-led policing (including criminal analysis
capacities), anti-money laundering and anti-corruption mechanisms and legal andoperational tools to detect and seize illicit funds in the course of investigations, while
integrating gender considerations throughout.

-Commending G5 Sahel peace and security initiatives – in particular the G5 Regional
Security Cooperation Platform in the Sahel (PCMS), the Sahel Security College, the G5Sahel Defense College - to enhance the G5’s role and capacities to pool and multiply
national efforts in the fight against common security threats, particularly illicit trafficking.

-Encouraging the implementation of the African Union Master Roadmap of Practical
Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by 2020 in the framework of the G7-AU Initiative on
SALW control in the wider Sahel region.

-Promoting enhanced coordination between the EU, including through its civilian
crisis management missions (EUCAP Sahel Mali and EUCAP Sahel Niger), INTERPOLand the UN (including UNODC) to help build up more efficient G5 Sahel police anddefense capabilities, especially in the context of the G5 Regional Security Cooperation
Platform in the Sahel, as well as within the framework of the operationalization of the G5
Sahel Joint Force and of its police component.

-Highlighting the overarching importance of justice as the cornerstone of security,governance and development efforts, with the objective of strengthening national
institutions as well as regional cooperation, in particular through revitalizing the West
African Network of Central Authorities and Prosecutors (WACAP).