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341. Algeria: President Bouteflika\'s Second Presidential Term

Author:
Ulla Holm
Publication Date:
11-2004
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Danish Institute for International Studies
Abstract:
For the second time, the Algerian president, Bouteflika has been elected president. He has now another five years for restoring the economy and for demonstrating that the army and the security forces no longer will be the hidden puppeteers of politics. The Algerians are asking themselves whether Algeria is on the way to further democratization after the sacking of the influential army Chief, Lamari. This Brief discusses whether there is a possibility of withdrawal of the army to the barracs due both to Bouteflika\'s and the army\'s wish to getting closer to the EU and to the US.
Topic:
Security, Democratization, and Government
Political Geography:
Africa

342. Strengthening African Security Capacities

Author:
Lousie Mørup
Publication Date:
10-2004
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Danish Institute for International Studies
Abstract:
In preparation for the expected Danish membership of the UN Security Council in 2005 DIIS organised a conference to discuss how to strengthen African conflict prevention and management capacities and make the most of Denmark's Africa Programme for Peace. This brief sums up some of the main ideas which were presented at the conference. The discussion bore witness to the complexity of the issue and the tremendous tasks ahead facing the African regional organisations, and made it clear to this author that Denmark has to prioritise its efforts to a few areas where it can make a difference in the two years of its expected UN Security Council membership.
Topic:
Security, Peace Studies, and United Nations
Political Geography:
Africa

343. U.S. - Libyan Relations: Toward Cautious Reengagement

Author:
C. Richard Nelson and Chester A. Crocker
Publication Date:
04-2003
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
The current U.S. strategy towards Libya – an implicit strategy of isolation – was developed for a very different international context than the one that currently exists. Put in place during the 1980s, the strategy was appropriate for the Cold War context and for dealing with Libya's hostile behavior at the time. Since then, however, both the general context and specific Libyan behavior have changed, rendering the current set of accumulated laws and regulations that govern U.S. relations with Libya outdated and inappropriate. Furthermore, the current strategy provides no vision for U.S.–Libyan relations once the remaining issues surrounding the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 are resolved. Thus, U.S. strategy needs to be changed to reflect better the new environment and new opportunities.
Topic:
Security and Terrorism
Political Geography:
Africa and United States

344. Workshop on Security Sector Governance in Africa

Author:
Anicia Lala and Riefqi Muna
Publication Date:
11-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
Security Sector Governance (SSG) in Africa was the theme of a workshop that took place from the 24-26 November, 2003, at Elmina, Ghana, under the auspices of Africa Dialogue and Security Research (ASDR), with the support of the Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform (GFN-SSR) and jointly funded by the UK Government (Africa Conflict Prevention Pool) and the Special Initiative for Africa from the Ford Foundation. Participation and speakers included academics as well as practitioners from both NGOs and Government. Also in attendance were representatives of various security sector areas, namely defence, police and intelligence from a range of regions, including Southern, East and West Africa, Europe and North America. The agenda covered a multitude of subjects within the governance theme, rendering the programme valuable, instructive and enriching the debates. Among the subjects were International and Regional Perspectives on Security Sector Governance, Governance of Police and Policing, Governance of Intelligence and Governance of the Armed Forces.
Topic:
Security, Development, and Government
Political Geography:
Africa, America, Europe, and Ghana

345. Survey of SSR Regional and Sub-Regional Networks

Publication Date:
10-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The enclosed survey was conducted in order to map all regional and sub regional networks working in the field of Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. The objective of mapping SSR networks in these regions is multi-fold. Firstly it is imperative that at a time when security has taken a truly global dimension and span, academics and practitioners alike are aware of the state of SSR in different regions. Certain similarities and patterns emerge during the analysis that offer lessons and directions for actors wishing to become involved in SSR in a particular region, or searching for guidance in applying best practices and lessons learned to particular situations. Secondly, exchange of experience and ideas is especially important in supporting South-South dialogue, but the value of cooperation cannot be overemphasized given the often-unclear context in which SSR activities take place. The mapping exercise serves as an entry-point for practitioners to identify existing networks and their areas of expertise. Opportunities for collaboration are made possible by identifying other organisations that are pursuing similar goals. Additionally, the map of SSR networks serves to identify possible gaps in scope of activity and highlights entry points for other organisations and networks to further the objectives of security sector management and reform. Lastly, this exercise will serve as a vehicle for the GFN-SSR to develop ways to strengthen its activities. One way in which the GFN-SSR is already adding value is through the development of its website, which, inter alia, offers a newsletter in four languages, i.e., English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. An activity to reinforce the access to information for those in areas of poor connectivity is already being developed through the conception of a CD-ROM containing all the existing website information for distribution on a timely basis to interested organisations.
Topic:
Security, Development, and International Organization
Political Geography:
Africa, America, Europe, Asia, South America, Latin America, Central America, and Caribbean

346. Aims, Objectives and Activities of the Security Network Symposium

Author:
Rocklyn Williams
Publication Date:
07-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
This concept paper sets out the background, guiding framework and focus of the forthcoming 'Security Network Symposium' to be held in Maputo, Mozambique between 30 June and 1 July 2003. This document presents a general background to the challenges of peace, security and stability facing regional and sub-regional organisations in Africa and an overview of the existing African civil networks, as well as African networks in the security sector. The remaining sections, which form the main thrust of the paper, spell out the core objectives of the Maputo meeting, define the scope of security sector networks, prescribe the issues that require discussion, and propose a range of desirable outputs from the meeting.
Topic:
Security, International Organization, and Peace Studies
Political Geography:
Africa

347. Providing Security for the People: Security Sector Reform in Africa

Author:
Ann M. Fitz-Gerald and Anicia Lalá
Publication Date:
11-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The subject of Security Sector Reform (SSR) and all its permutations and combinations, has evolved considerably over the last thirty years culminating in a re-branded, more holistic 'package' of actors, policy and programmes. It is an area that now garners interest across the wider security sector, and includes uniformed institutions and organisations such as the police, gendarmerie and the military, as well as the non-uniformed actors that play an important oversight role with regard to political, legislative, and budgetary processes.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, and Development
Political Geography:
Africa

348. Report Of The South-South Dialogue On Defence Transformation

Author:
Anicia Lalá
Publication Date:
05-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The objective of the conference was to promote the debate about defence transformation in the context of Ghana, inject local content and transparency, and enhance Ghana's ability to gain ownership of the process. The departure point was the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) of the Ghanaian Ministry of Defence (GMoD), whose primary objective is to strengthen the capacity of civil staff of the MoD in managing the defence sector. In order to highlight the challenges of defence transformation under African conditions, the presentations included the experiences of South Africa, Uganda and Sierra Leone, delivered by respective nationals.This initiative was part of a collaborative effort between the GMoD, the British Defence Advisory Team (DAT) and the African Security and Dialogue Research (ASDR) and followed a two-week defence management course for civilian staff mounted by Cranfield University. Conference participants included civilians and military from the GMoD and the Ghanaian Armed Forces, parliamentarians, academics, representatives from the Ministry of Interior and the Intelligence services as well as members from civil society organizations (CSOs) equally attended the meeting.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, and Civil Society
Political Geography:
Africa

349. UNDP: Conference on Justice and Security Sector Reform: Coherence, Cooperation, and Comparative Strengths

Author:
Chris Ferguson
Publication Date:
05-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The UNDP's Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) has established a Justice and Security Sector Reform (JSSR) team to provide technical support and assistance to regional Bureaux and Country Offices. This Oslo conference, attended by international donors and Senior NGOs, was organised in association with the Oslo Governance Center, UNDP's Bureau for Development Policy, and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The conference allowed donors to share their own experiences in the pursuit of JSSR around the world via five structured sessions including a "breakout" session dividing the conference participants into four smaller groups for closer discussion on separate topics. It also enabled informal exchanges between the key global actors in the area of JSSR.
Topic:
Security, Development, Non-Governmental Organization, and United Nations
Political Geography:
Africa

350. First Meeting of the DCAF Africa Working Group

Author:
Aneta Ratynska
Publication Date:
04-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The 1st Meeting of the DCAF Africa Working Group was held in Geneva, Switzerland on April 24, 2003. The objective of the Meeting was to facilitate the exchange of views, expertise and experience among participants involved in SSR related work in Africa, and to advise DCAF on programming for the region. Participants at the conference represented government, civil society, academic institutions, and donor and recipient countries.
Topic:
Security, Development, and International Cooperation
Political Geography:
Geneva, Africa, and Switzerland