Towards New Strategic Approaches for. the Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts in African Countries:

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1 Government of Burkina Faso Institute of Security Studies African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development Hanns Seidel Foundation Towards New Strategic Approaches for the Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts in African Countries: (How Can African Countries respond strategically to the Current Security Menaces which hinder the Continent s Development) A High-level Conference on Security Strategies and Policies in Africa Summary Report Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) March 2013

2 Final Report of the Conference on the New Strategic Approaches for the prevention and resolution of conflicts in African Countries On 25, 26 and 27 March 2013, Azalaï Hotel Indépendance in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) hosted the work of the conference on the new strategic approaches for the prevention and resolution of conflicts in African countries. Around forty security upper-tier officials and experts from Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Turkey and Zambia took part in this conference organized by the Government of Burkina Faso, the Hanns-Seidel Foundation, the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) and the African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development (CAFRAD). I. On the Opening Ceremony of the Conference Several addresses marked the opening ceremony, chaired by His Excellency Mr. Luc Adolphe TIAO, Prime Minister and Head of Government of Burkina Faso, in the presence of Mr. Jérôme BOUGOUMA, Minister of Territorial Administration and Security of Burkina Faso, sponsor of the Conference, several members of the Government and several judicial, military and paramilitary authorities. As an introduction to this conference, Mr. Simon Mamosi LELO, Director General of CAFRAD, justified the holding of this conference by the multitude of security problems currently facing African countries. These problems are terrorism, armed conflicts and rebellions that severely handicap the efforts of these countries most of which are engaged in strategic development plans to attain the emergence level within a few years. This conference provides a framework to reflect on the root causes of these problems in order to identify new strategies and approaches to resolve them and promote development. Before concluding his remarks, he presented his institution whose main objective is to assist African governments in their development efforts, in particular through comparative studies, the reform and modernization of the public service and State institutions, the exchange and dissemination of knowledge, consultancy and expertise. Succeeding to the first speaker, Mr. Deo BARAKAMFITIYE, Director of ISS, stressed the importance of human security which has, in recent years, taken precedence over States security. Human security places man at the centre of concerns; hence, it is more complete, more dynamic and more complex. It is a prerequisite for any development and is one of United Nations concerns. It is therefore necessary to analyze well security problems in order to find appropriate solutions. Certain issues relating to governance, population involvement, transparency in the management of the common good and fair justice are at the centre of this concern and must be taken into account to face threats such as organized crime, terrorism and religious extremism. To conclude his speech, he hoped that the quality of participants will allow for an in-depth reflection on the topic and on important concepts such as community policing. Speaking in turn, Mrs. Juliette BORSENBERGER, Head of the Morocco-Mauritania Hanns- Seidel Foundation Project, pointed out the importance of the events that have marked Africa over the past two years. This includes in particular the popular revolts in North Africa, the emergence of essentially terrorist groups in the Sahel-Saharan zone and the outbreak of violence or acts of piracy that threaten human security in other regions. These different 2

3 situations have as a common denominator the socio-economic insecurity of populations, the weakness of governance institutions and systems. The risks arising from this situation require the implementation of concerted strategies common to the various States concerned. The Hanns-Seidel Foundation has been providing support to the Maghreb for 25 years to back State reforms aimed at strengthening the democratic values of good Governance and Rule of Law. Before concluding her remarks, she emphasized the importance of the topic offered for reflection in the Conference and thanked the partners who contributed to its organization. Taking the floor in his turn, Mr. Ralf WITTEK, Officer of Hanns-Seidel Foundation for West Africa, first presented this organization. He indicated that this Foundation is financed by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany in the field of political education with a view to promoting the principles of good governance. Then, he questioned the relevance of this Conference. According to him, thinking about insecurity in Africa has been the subject of meetings for thirty years and the root causes are known. The main problem seems to be the lack of trust between the populations and the rulers. He suggested that this reflection be continued in the direction of implementing the strategies and recommendations of previous meetings, so that this type of conferences is not in vain. In his opening speech, Mr. Jérôme BOUGOUMA, Minister of Territorial Administration and Security, welcomed all participants to Burkina Faso. For him, criminal violence in all its forms is the main threat to African States. It can result in intercommunity clashes to control natural resources, terrorist acts committed by religious extremists or deadly traffic accidents. This violence endangers human lives and compromises development. It is therefore necessary to seek appropriate responses to this threat which goes well beyond the scope of national borders. He hoped that this framework for discussion will be an opportunity for experience sharing, in order to define a common vision and new governance strategies in the security sector in all African countries. II. On the Issues discussed during the Conference Several topics were discussed during the Conference. Most of them gave rise to presentations followed by discussions. Thematic groups were also formed to reflect further on the strategic approaches to be taken into account to deal with the existing threats. A. Conceptual Clarification on Security Security has been defined as a state or a feeling of being at peace or safe. It may also refer to the means implemented to keep a person or a country out of danger or crime. As to Homeland Security, it has been presented as the fact of keeping peace within the borders of a sovereign State or independent territory. During the Conference, it emerged that it is necessary to have a more global conception of security and to speak of human security. This conception incorporates the conditions of life and existence of the human being, in particular food, health, transportation, education, a healthy environment, the Rule of law and good Governance. Human security is defined as the situation in which certain fundamental values of freedom, equality and development are met in an atmosphere of security, stability, freedom from fear, war, invasions and other similar dangers. 3

4 B. The Causes of Insecurity Various speakers determined several causes that generate insecurity in Africa. These causes are mainly: Bad political, economic and social governance: Despite regular elections held on the continent, participants noted that most security problems stem from the lack of real democracy involving the separation of powers, free and transparent elections, the smooth running of Republican institutions, in particular an independent judiciary, guarantor of the Rule of law and respect for human rights. There is also corruption, weak development and the misdistribution of resources, resulting in the growing impoverishment of populations; Collapse of State authority: According to the speakers, States are struggling to affirm their full authority over the entire territory; absence of security services or lack of trust between these services and the population, lack of basic social services, weak administration; Porosity of borders: Weapons, drugs and people trafficking is organized between States which have difficulty in monitoring their borders; Emergence and proliferation of armed groups: Conflicts are nurtured by the constitution of multiple armed factions, as a consequence of the circulation of small arms and light weapons; Emergence of religious extremism, particularly in West Africa: The appearance of Jihadist groups advocating a radical Islamism and using terrorist methods is source of insecurity for the region; Ethnic or regional divides: The marginalization of certain ethnic groups or certain regions in the distribution of resources or in development promotes secessionist ambitions and creates conflict situations; Isolation of territories: The difficulties to access some areas promote the establishment of terrorist groups which find shelter in such areas. Absence of conflict prevention mechanism: African countries do not have a proactive approach in conflict resolution. They are in a curative rather than preventive logic with regards the conflicts they are facing. Economic challenges: The abundant natural resources which some African countries (especially in Central Africa) are packed with result in conflicts for the control and exploitation of these resources. The consequence is the development of parallel criminal economies that undermine these States. Weak cooperation between African States in relation to security policies: There is no common strategy to combat terrorism. Globalization and the development of NICTs: They influence behaviour at a global level and are sources of global insecurity. The behaviours of a region can be imitated thanks to the new technologies on the other side of the planet. In the face of these causes, what strategies can be adopted to effectively take up the challenges and threats? 4

5 C. Possible Strategic Approaches The reform of security systems (RSS): This involves breaking with the classical concept of security systems which proved inadequate to the Millennium security challenges, with a view to re-orientating and strengthening efforts to combat the fragility of States. It is not the responsibility of countries in post-conflict situations alone. This concept allows taking into account the dimension of human security by reducing the risks of conflict and creating environments conducive to development. To achieve a reform of the security system, it is indispensable that security forces be under the command of the Executive Power, that these forces cultivate internally professionalism and political neutrality and that there be a clear separation between the police and the army by encouraging community policing and involving all stakeholders of the security sector in the definition of security policies. Community policing: This is a policing approach which involves the community benefiting from Police services in resolving security issues. It allows a proactive approach in the search for solutions, unlike the traditional approach which is reactive. Community policing provides preventive solutions to situations that may pose a threat to security. It offers the possibility of fostering partnerships with associations, civil society or local organizations in the search for durable solutions to the problems of security (The cases of Turkey and Burkina Faso). In addition, it allows promoting human rights and strengthening confidence between police services and the population. The definition of regional frameworks for the implementation of concerted policies against insecurity and terrorism: The reflection on the establishment of regional mechanisms for the development of concerted policies or strategies to combat insecurity or terrorism will allow a better understanding of the phenomenon. The security situation in a State has a direct impact on the security situation in neighbouring countries. It is therefore essential to have more regional approaches to better respond to threats. (The case of ICGLR in the Great Lakes). Strengthening intelligence: In the face of terrorist threats and transnational crime, it is essential to strengthen intelligence and cooperation at local, regional and international level between services in charge of collecting and analyzing this information and judicial police services. It is also essential to strengthen their capacity in relation to the new information and communication technologies and to open up permanent channels of communication. Democracy and the promotion of good governance: Democracy and good political, economic and social governance are prerequisites for the establishment of a secure and stable environment. The fight against corruption, poverty and social inequalities, the smooth running of Republican institutions such as the Judiciary are prerequisites to security and peace. III. Discussions Participants participated actively in the discussions which followed the various presentations and helped to enrich and supplement them. 5

6 They particularly appreciated the framework offered by this conference for experience and knowledge exchange. However, the absence of representatives from police services of some countries that have a good experience in the fight against terrorism (including Algeria) was deplored. The multiplication of this type of meetings was advocated. The discussions also focused on the existing conflict prevention mechanisms. Participants noted that many of these mechanisms do not work and do not truly prevent threats. Participants called for their review or suppression when these mechanisms prove to be inoperative. Similarly, they wished for the right to interfere when a country is threatened by a risk of destabilization. Non-intervention by neighbouring countries to solve the problem may affect security and stability at the regional level. The Turkish experience of community policing was particularly appreciated. It appeared desirable that this policing approach be adopted in African countries. Some participants shared out the experience of their respective countries in the field with the audience. Some participants evoked the involvement of multinationals in the destabilization of States with a view to controlling their natural resources. This sparked many reactions. This resulted in the affirmation of the need for Africans to solve their own problems by themselves and implement mechanisms peculiar to financing these mechanisms. The need to pool resources both at the national level (where different forces or structures are involved in the field of security), and at regional and international level was also discussed. It appeared essential to establish coordination structures in order to make the fight against organized crime and terrorism more effective. Nevertheless, the work of the Conference took place in a climate of mutual respect, courtesy and seriousness. The will to identify concrete lines of thought for the implementation of effective strategies to combat insecurity and terrorism was evident throughout the Conference. Participants made recommendations and a motion (See group reports). Drawn up at Ouagadougou on 27 March ***** 6