The Challenges of
Security Sector Governance in West Africa
Hotel Ngor Diarama, Dakar, 17 February 2010
Co-organised by
The Africa Security Sector Network (ASSN)
The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)
With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France
Agenda
16 February, 2010
19:00
Welcome Dinner co-hosted by ASSN-DCAF
17 February, 2010
08:45-09:15
Introductory Panel
Welcome remarks by organisers
UNOWA : Nicolas Guinard
ECOWAS: Commandant Abdourahmane Dieng
DCAF: Alan Bryden
ASSN: Boubacar N’Diaye
09:15-11:00
Session 1: Security Sector Governance in West Africa
The norms and principles of democratic governance have gained ground
across the West African region. However, in many cases, their practical
application remains far more limited. This panel will look at different national
case studies within West Africa in order to better understand challenges and
opportunities to promote a security sector governance (SSG) agenda in
different national contexts.
Chair: Eboe Hutchful
Speakers:
Jean-Pierre Bayala: Burkina Faso
Raphael Ouattara: Cote d’Ivoire
Dominique Bangoura: Guinea
Niagele Bagayoko-Penone: Senegal
11:00-11:15
Break
11:15-11:45
Session 2: Introduction to the Breakout Sessions
A number of different cross-cutting issues have been identified that are
particularly important for effective sustainable security sector reform (SSR) in
West Africa. This session provides an introduction to the group discussions
that will make up an important element of the afternoon’s agenda. In each
session, participants can chose to join one of two group discussions.
Session 3-a) Non-state Actors and SSR
Session 3-b) Gender and SSR
Session 4-a) Democratic Oversight and Accountability
Session 4-b) International Actors and Local Ownership
Introduction: Alan Bryden & Boubacar N’Diaye
11:45-12:45
Session 3: Breakout Sessions
3-a) Non-state Actors and SSR
While acknowledging the key role played by states in guiding SSR processes,
security and justice in West Africa are in many cases delivered by a range of
non-state actors. This panel will discuss ways to strengthen local ownership by
acknowledging the range of non-state actors that need to be taken into account
in SSR policy frameworks and situated within SSR programming.
Chair: Niagele Bagayoko-Penone
Discussant: Babacar Diouf
2
3-b) Gender and SSR
Mainstreaming gender considerations in SSR provides an important
contribution to reform processes that reflect the human security needs of all
elements of society. This panel will reflect on ways to build efficient and
effective SSR partnerships in order to improve the legitimacy and efficiency of
security sector governance frameworks.
Chair: General Lamine Cissé
Discussant: Kristin Valasek
12:45-14:00
Lunch
14:00-15:00
Session 4: Breakout Sessions
4-a) Democratic Oversight and Accountability
Building trust between state institutions, security services and citizens
represents an important point of departure for sustainable, legitimate
development. This panel considers the key role played by different oversight
actors (parliaments, civil society, the media) in supporting democratic security
sector governance.
Chair: Jean-Jacques Gacond
Discussant: Boubacar N’Diaye
4-b) International Actors and Local Ownership
SSR in Africa has frequently involved significant support from external actors. It
is clearly important to maximise the effectiveness of these efforts and ensure
that they support nationally driven SSR processes. This panel will consider
challenges and opportunities to build meaningful SSR partnerships between
actors at international, regional, national and local levels. These partnerships
must reflect West African realities and be anchored in respect for local
ownership.
Chair: Zeini Moulaye
Discussants: Camille Grousselas (France) & Jerome Mellon (UN)
15:00-1600
Reporting back from breakout groups
16:00-16:15
Break
3
16:15-17:45
Session 5: A West African Approach to SSR/SSG
West Africa’s security sector governance challenges can only be addressed
with coherent approaches that bring together the efforts of civil society, states,
regional actors and international organisations. Enhancing synergies, including
through the development of a community of practice, thus represents a key
priority in operationalising a West African approach to SSR/SSG. This
concluding panel builds on earlier discussions to consider the ‘state of the art’
on SSR/SSG in West Africa and the implications for the issues and challenges
under discussion over the next two days.
Chair: Eboe Hutchful
Speakers:
AU: Norman Mlambo
ECOWAS: Commandant Abdourahmane Dieng
UN: Kossi Agokla
ASSN: Thomas Jaye
17:45-18:00
Closing Remarks: Alan Bryden and Boubacar N’Diaye
18:15
Closing Reception co-hosted by ASSN-DCAF
4