President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has established the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in order to combat the growing threat of radicalization and extremism in the Maldives.
The Center will be administered under Ministry of Defense and National Security and was formed under the powers granted to the President under the Clause number 116 of the Constitution.
President had also decreed that the Center will act as the national focal point on all counter-terrorism and anti-terrorism efforts.
The Centre will formulate counter-terrorism and anti-terrorism guidelines and procedures based on the analysis of international benchmarks and best practices. NCTC is set to gather and analyze intelligence, from all state agencies, on terrorism activities and inform relevant state authorities, as well as the financial means to carry out such terrorist acts. It will also seek to identify radicalized elements within the communities and run targeted rehabilitation programs to those in need, especially at risk groups, convicts and youth.
The Center will also set guidelines and procedures on terror organizations, individuals and groups suspected of having ties, financing and assisting terror organizations in addition to analyzing how individuals fall prey to such organizations. The Centre will coordinate with the relevant state agencies and social NGO’s in eradicating the threat of terrorism and radicalism in the country.
Additionally, the Center will represent the Maldives in anti-terror forums and initiatives carried out on an international and regional scale, presenting papers on such operations, as well as carrying out anti-terror drills to check responsiveness and robustness of the anti-terror measures. The Center will be an advisory and an implementation body to the President and relevant state agencies as well as regional and international bodies to advice on anti- and counter- terror measures, strategies and responses. The Center will also support and coordinate efforts between related agencies in implementing anti-terror strategies.
Additionally, the Center will act to provide information, assistance in conducting anti-terror operations, review and measure anti-terror strategies. The Center will also engage in all stakeholders and at risk groups to understand and combat terrorism at a grassroots level. The Center will analyze all potential and existing terror threats and present the findings to the President and the National Security Council.
President Establishes National Counter Terrorism Centre
