Counter Terrorism and Violent Extremism

Efforts in the Maldives

BG Zakariyya Mansoor
Director General, NCTC

National Counter Terrorism Centre

Ministry of Defence and National Security
 Scope

• Threat of Terrorism in the Maldives

• Maldivian Response to Terrorism and Violent Extremism

• Awareness & Prevention
• National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism
• Preparedness & Response

• Way Ahead
 Threat of Terrorism in the Maldives

Regional Terrorism & Activities of Illicit

crime syndicates that facilitate Terrorism

Extremism and Radicalism due to One of the plotters of 3 Nov 1988 terrorist attack on Maldives
being escorted by Indian and Maldivian Military personnel
Religious Motives

Post explosion on Presidential Boat, 28 September 2015

 Preventing Terrorism – Institutional Framework

National Counter Terrorism Centre

(est. 25 February 2016)
National Lead Agency in coordinating response
to terrorism, violent extremism and radicalism

Liaising with international security partners

H.E. President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom

Formulate strategies to counter violent

extremism and radicalism
Coordinate development of national CT
response capabilities
 National Counter Terrorism Centre
Coordinates inter-agency effort to counter
terrorism, radicalism and violent extremism

Senior Level Executive Committees

Counter Radicalization Committee Counter Terrorism Steering Committee

Comprised of senior officials from security agencies / services and line ministries

Designed to function as a “Fusion Centre” to facilitate intelligence-sharing

 Preventing Terrorism: Legislative Measures

Addresses FTFs, recruitment for, and

financing of terrorism
Enables enactment of measures to counter
Promulgation of violent extremism
‘Prevention of Establishes modalities for leading CT effort
Terrorism Act’ and inter-agency cooperation
(32/2015)
Establishes de-radicalization programs for
terrorism suspects / at-risk persons
Enables monitoring and control of terrorism
suspects
 National Strategy to Counter Extremism

FOCUS AREAS

Propagation of Increased Law Enforcement Economic / Social

Moderate Islam Presence / Operations Empowerment of Women

MEANS USED

Law Enforcement Religious Scholars /

Media
Agencies / Line Ministries Mainstream Role Models
 National Strategy to Counter Extremism

PROPOGATION OF
ISLAMIC VALUES & NORMS

Emphasis on Moderate Islamic values,

Promoting Religious Debate /
societal harmony, civic responsibility
Dialogue on Contentious Issues
through scholars and role models

Lectures by prominent
Intervention Vetting credentials of
international Islamic
programs visiting scholars / clerics
scholars
 National Strategy to Counter Extremism
STRATEGIES

Projects to create greater

Intel-based mapping of
employment and educational
communities
opportunities for youth

Programs to foster national Counter radicalization

identity programs in prisons

Development of National
Education Curriculum
 Preventing Terrorism - Awareness
TERRORISM AWARENESS
FOCUS AREAS

Tourism Industry Industrial Facilities General Public

Increased security and surveillance at High-Value-Targets such as

airports, seaports, tourist installations, critical infrastructure

Increased Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)

 Preventing Terrorism – Security Cooperation

Security Cooperation

Intelligence sharing
mechanisms between agencies
of other countries

Regional and International

Signing ceremony of Counter Terrorism Awareness and Training Project Security Cooperation
 Countering Terrorism –Preparedness
NATIONAL LEVEL
CT EXERCISE

Exercise National
Practice Inter-agency Enable quick response
Terrorism Response
Cooperation during incidents
Plan

CT-focused training and exercises with regional and international partners

Symposium on Countering Violent Extremism

Thank You