Promotion of an inclusive approach to security in West Africa
Programs and partnerships
Lead institution(s)
Summary
Despite the transition to democracy and institutional reconstruction underway in most West African countries, many still experience high incidences of violence and crime. These often lead to recurring, violent clashes with local security forces, thus perpetuating new cycles of violence.Read more
Despite the transition to democracy and institutional reconstruction underway in most West African countries, many still experience high incidences of violence and crime. These often lead to recurring, violent clashes with local security forces, thus perpetuating new cycles of violence. Research has shown that an inclusive approach to community security may be effective in preventing this violence. In West Africa, however, there is little knowledge of the most appropriate strategies for ensuring an inclusive approach to community security. This project will help identify the factors required to develop and implement this approach to security. Under the direction of Partners Senegal, research will be conducted by multidisciplinary teams in the Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Senegal. Following a participatory approach that takes into account gender, researchers will propose strategies and governance structures for an inclusive community security sector. They will also develop tools and models that contribute to the effective prevention of insecurity and criminal behaviour at the local level. Their work will contribute to research on how to integrate and manage security problems in West Africa.