From 25 to 26 November, the African Union, in collaboration with the United Nations Office to the African Union, the African Security Sector Network Just Future Alliance, and the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, convened the fourth AU Africa Forum on Security Sector Reform in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Held under the theme The role of security sector reform and governance in conflict prevention: a people centered approach, the Forum examined how communities can play a more effective role in security sector governance across Africa. Discussions focused on strengthening linkages between national frameworks and grassroots initiatives and identifying inclusive strategies to bridge the gap between policy and practice.
Opening remarks were delivered by Dr Niagale Bagayoko, Chair of the African Security Sector Network, who highlighted the importance of civil society engagement and presented the Hybrid Security Governance Observatories as a platform to advance evidence based security governance.
The Deputy Head of UNOAU and Director for Political Affairs, Gerald Mitchell, outlined four priority areas for effective reform: grounding interventions in local contexts, building trust between institutions and communities, fostering innovative partnerships, and closing the policy implementation gap through participatory approaches.
The Head of the AU Division for Defence, Disarmament and Security Sector Reform, Jocelyne Nahimana, speaking on behalf of the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, underscored that security sector reform remains a prerequisite for good governance, conflict prevention and sustainable peace, with particular emphasis on people centered and gender sensitive approaches.
