Africa needs better AU support on security sector reform

Date: 24 June 2021

Time: 15:00 to 16:30 (GMT+2)

Location: Online via Zoom, registration required

In 2021, several African countries including Mali, the Central African Republic and South Sudan, are reforming and rebuilding their police, militaries and judiciaries. These security sector reform processes often require external financial and technical support.

The African Union (AU) has had a Security Sector Reform Framework since 2013. But its perennial capacity challenges mean that international actors have played a more active role than the continental body. This seminar reflects on the AU’s ability to respond effectively to ongoing and emerging security sector reform trends and challenges.

Chair: Chido Mutangadura, Research Consultant, Peace Operations and Peacebuilding, ISS Pretoria

Speakers:

• Peter Otim, Expert, Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate, AU Commission (TBC)
• Dr Anicia Lala, Head of Advisory Field Support, Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance
• Snezana Vuksa-Coffman, Deputy Chief, Security Sector Reform Unit, Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, UN