Valentin Wagee, Project Officer
Jolie-Ruth Morand, SSR Adviser
Anne Bennett, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa Division
Context
In 2017 Burkina Faso launched a security sector reform (SSR) process led by the National Defence and Security Council (CSDN). The country adopted an ambitious reform agenda that includes the elaboration on a new national security policy and strategy, development an anti-corruption strategy, increased governance of the security sector and development a strategy to combat violent extremism, among other commitments. The adoption of a national security policy provides a framework to reconceive a national security architecture while including a broad range of actors such as civil society, ombuds institutions and academia.
The need for a collective response to strengthen cohesion and implement a reform of the security sector in order to clarify security forces’ mandates, prevent corruption and the misuse of resources, foster discussion with communities, and ensure more efficient and accountable security providers is critical. DCAF is proud to be one of the actors supporting national authorities in improving governance and in fulfilling their role as providers of peace and security in the country.
Objectives & DCAF approach
DCAF is implementing a multi-country Sahel programme (2019-2021) with cross-cutting activities with Mali and Niger, aimed to:
To achieve this, DCAF:
Insights
Listen to our SSR Adviser in Burkina Faso, Sadou Sidibé, shedding light on the major challenges facing security sector reform in the country, and outlining the steps taken by DCAF to enhance cooperation in the field of SSR/G:
Results
Our work has contributed to laying the foundation necessary in order to implement an inclusive SSR reform process which takes into account the needs of the population in terms of security:
The collaboration between DCAF and CODES took shape in a self-assessment and planning workshop in June 2021 in Bobo-Dioulasso. During this workshop, parliamentarians defined and specified the major legislative projects and priorities for the Assembly's contribution to security sector governance in the context of the current legislature.
DCAF works with several civil society organizations in Burkina Faso to strengthen the contribution of civil society to security sector governance. Through the development of practical tools, good practices have been disseminated to the CSOs' committees in the Centre-North region.
Donors
We are grateful for the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
Soutenir la gouvernance du secteur de la sécurité au Burkina Faso
Capacity building for the control of small arms and light weapons (SALW) held by security and defense forces (SDFs) of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger (EN) (FR)
PROFILES IN SSR - Interview with DCAF's SSR Adviser (August 2020) (EN) (FR)
African Security Governance Index
Policy Paper: Promoting Financial Oversight - An Essential Element for Democratic Governance of the Security Sector in the Sahel by Dr. Oswald Padonou (EN) (FR)