Publications

Nigeria is witnessing the escalation of violence and conflicts across the board. While the incidents have led to thousands of losses to lives and then the destruction of livelihood, it has seemingly overwhelmed Nigeria's security operatives. The Southeast region, which used to be one of Nigeria's relatively peaceful zones, has witnessed rising violence. The past couple of months have been dreadful, given the region's rise of violence and security uncertainties. About 254 people were killed in 63 incidents recorded in the first five months of 2021.

Nigeria, as a democratising state, is caught in the web of balancing civil control over its military, which has over the years dominated its political space. With the growing insecurity and conflicts in the country such as insurgency, cultism, kidnapping, vandalism, terrorism and armed banditry, the presence of the military in the civilian spaces and activities continue to grow. While the military is invited to help in providing security and safeguard the public spaces, their relationship with the citizens in many cases have turned sour, as in some cases, the fundamental rights or the constitutional rights of the citizens are either breached or violated.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant obstacle to women’s enjoyment of their rights and a violation of their fundamental freedoms. In several countries, particularly in West Africa, such violence is rooted in a social system founded on patriarchy.

Since 2018, the Laboratory of Analyse of Societies and Powers / Africa – Diasporas at Gaston Berger University in Saint- Louis, Senegal (UGB LASPAD) has undertaken a series of studies as part of an action research programme on citizen control of public security action in West Africa. In collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Peace and Security Centre of Competence Sub-Saharan Africa (FES PSCC) and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding - Senegal (WANEP), a team of researchers led by Dr Rachid Id Yassine conducted an exploratory study, under phase one, in three West African countries (Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau), to develop, test and consolidate a multipartite mechanism for citizen control of public security action. During this pilot phase, a citizen security barometer was developed (Citizen Barometer of Security : www.citizen-security.org ).

This publication is the result of intense field research carried out by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's Peace and Security Centre of Competence Sub-Saharan Africa (FES PSCC) to analyze the role of militias in Burkina Faso. Militias are in this study understood as non-jihadist, armed actors which are supporting the state of Burkina Faso in its challenge to guarantee inner security for its citizens. A new national law of Burkina Faso recognizes volunteers, as security actors since January 2020.

The PSCC Policy Paper is an analysis document written by leading experts on different themes, related to peace and security in Sub-Saharan Africa. The authors assess different political situations and share their respective evaluations and opinions. In addition, they formulate concrete, practical, and achievable recommendations on a comprehensive case. It is the aim of each PSCC Policy Paper to serve as a guidance tool for security sector actors, as well as to advise policy makers in respective regions and countries...

Kidnapping for ransom ranks very high among the numerous peace and security challenges confronting Nigeria. Kidnapping happens for political reasons (grievance); for ransom (greed); hybrid kidnapping (for generating money to support insurgency); and situational kidnapping (for settling custodial and family issures, indentured servitude and ethno-religious indoctrination).

Nigeria is experiencing a situational crisis in the governing and securing of its conflict-affected rural areas. Ungoverned space is a direct reflection of the inability of the state to effectively perform its minimal statutory functions: exercise of monopoly of use of force; full territorial control; and provision of basic social services.

Reconciliation is considered an important element in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, especially after prolonged periods of civil war. In Mozambique, all agreements signed between a Frelimo government and the leaders of the armed opposition group Renamo alluded to the need of reconciliation. However, reconciliation never was fully embraced by the authorities and put in action. The addressing of war crimes and transitional justice have never been part of the conflict settlement. Bernhard Weimer`s contribution to the FES Peace and Security Series seeks to analyze the latest peace agreement and its impacts for the consolidation of peace in Mozambique. The study concludes, that reconciliation has been only partially reflected in government policies, budgets, and efforts to consolidate peace. Reconciliation initiatives promoted by civil society in the broadest sense seem a viable strategy to breathe life…

Climate-related security risks are transforming the security landscape in the Horn of Africa. The Working Group was established to develop suggestions to better address climate-related security risks in the region. Peace processes need to beclimate sensitive, based on a sound foundation of locally owned knowledge. Local communities need to be involved in and benefit from national and regional peace processes. International actions to address climate-related security risks need to be coordinated with the relevant regional processes of the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and civil society.