Building capacity to deradicalize and rehabilitate former terrorists in East Africa
Led by Kenya and Kuwait and supported by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) East Africa Capacity-Building Working Group (EAWG) held a workshop to discuss DDRR efforts in the region, on 16 October 2026, in Kuwait City.
Terrorist groups are increasingly exploiting local grievances and regional vulnerabilities to extend their reach across borders and recruit individuals to further their cause. Following terrorist activity, these individuals are radicalized, ostracized, and left with little recourse.
As a result, East African authorities have adopted several policies to support the disengagement, deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration (DDRR) of individuals associated with these groups. To further these critical efforts in addressing the terrorist threat in the region, the GCTF organized a workshop to strengthen regional collaboration, facilitate the exchange and identification of good practices to inform future long-term, evidence-based programming and build resilience to prevent and counter radicalization to terrorism. – The EAWG is co-chaired by Kenya and Kuwait and supported by UNOCT as its primary implementing partner.
The workshop brought together members of the East African Community and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), representatives of the UN Global Counter- Terrorism Coordination Compact, civil society organizations, and other GCTF-Member States and Inspired Institutions.
Participants engaged in discussions on the current nature of radicalization and recruitment to terrorism in the region along with good practices for rehabilitation and reintegration of violent extremist offenders.
DDRR is one of the five priority lines of effort that align with key terrorism and violent extremism threats in East Africa as identified by the EA WG in their Work Plan issued earlier this year. Under the Kenya-Kuwait mandate and with the support of UNOCT the working group aims to further inform the design of new programs to build capacity against the terrorist threat in the region.
