The African Security Sector Network (ASSN) and the Geneva Democratic Centre for the Control on Armed Forces (DCAF) with funding support fromthe Open Society Foundation (OSF) organised a workshop in Dakar(Sénégal) from 26 – 27 April 2016.The workshop was themed, “Improving Security Sector Governance and Reform in Africa: a Learning Lab”
The Learning Lab was a two-day workshop-event drawing together predominantly African experts (researchers, academics, policy makers and practitioners) with practical experience of the security sector, Security Sector Reform (SSR) and Security Sector Governance (SSG) in Africa. The Lab began with an introductory session which was graced by the presence of His Excellency Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
His Excellency Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas (middle) with representatives of ASSN and DCAF
The bulk of the Lab took the form of six moderated sessions, underpinned by the six following think pieces:
- Accountable and legitimate security through civilian democratic oversight and control;
- The essential role of civil society and media in good security sector governance;
- Protecting a democratic public space: Maturing civil-military relations;
- Commercial security providers and the privatisation of security;
- Regional expertise in good security governance: from civil society networks to ECOWAS and the African Union;
- Security and safety from the bottom up: hybrid security governance.
In light of the opportunities and challenges to SSR processes identified, a concluding session summarized options and recommendations for potential entry points for African and international engagement in promoting an African governance-driven SSR approach based on accountability, rule of law and human rights.
Please find below workshop documents[wpfilebase tag=browser id=128 /]