Nairobi: Morocco joined the 3rd African Forum on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence, organized in collaboration with the Kenyan government, to address emerging cyber threats. The Forum, themed ‘Strengthening Africa’s Response to Emerging Cyber Threats,’ aims to combat new threats related to online crime and electronic evidence and to promote more effective international cooperation through the exchange of experiences and best practices.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the Moroccan delegation includes representatives from the Casablanca Criminal Court, the Ministry of Justice, the National Judicial Police Brigade (BNPJ), and the National Judicial Investigation Brigade of the Royal Gendarmerie. Morocco’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to combating cybercrime on various levels. As a pioneer in the field, Morocco was one of the first countries to accede to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, the first international legal framework dedicated specifically to protection against computer
-related crime.

Morocco has also signed the Second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, demonstrating its willingness to strengthen digital security globally. The Kingdom recently signed the UN Convention on Cybercrime in Hanoi, further committing to international cooperation against these threats.

The Forum’s agenda includes thematic workshops on key issues, such as a review of cybercrime legislation in Africa and international standards. Discussions will focus on aligning African legislation with international standards and the synergy between the new UN treaty on cybercrime and the Budapest Convention.

Participants will discuss cybercrime threats and trends, including tracking illicit financial flows and virtual assets, and the role of policymakers and legislators in combating this phenomenon. Other workshops will address the impact of artificial intelligence on cybercrime, electronic evidence, capacity building and sustainable training, cybersecurity and cybercrime policies and
strategies, ransomware attacks and investigative tools, and cybercrime and human rights, particularly freedom of expression and its legal treatment in the African context.