Cefrad joins African security network |07 July 2006

The African Security Sector Network (ASSN) exists as a multi-disciplinary grouping of networks; national, regional and continental organisations; individuals pertaining to academia and civil society, as well as state institutions, including Police and defence forces, dealing with peace and security matters.

The network is able to engage practitioners, policy makers, parliamentarians, academia and civil society actors in dialogue and exchange of information and practical experiences in respect of peace and security issues. Its mission is to seek and support the advancement of the principles of democratic governance of the security sector in Africa.

Its development has so far been funded by the Government of the United Kingdom, with additional support from certain international agencies and organisations.

Cefrad President, Mathew Servina, was invited to participate in the launching of the Eastern Africa Branch of the Network, which look place in Kampala, Uganda from 28 to 30 June 2006. A total of 17 countries were represented at the Kampala meeting, plus representatives from UN agencies, European Union, World Bank, East African Community, governments of United Kingdom and Mexico.

The main purpose of the Kampala meeting was to address the need for vibrancy in security areas in eastern and the Horn of Africa; to revitalise ASSN activities in this region; to chart out a clear security objective for the region.

Counter-terrorism strategies and growing threats to peace and security from corruption and drug trafficking in the region were among the main topics of discussion.

Another important subject was human and State security during election periods. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Seychelles are two countries holding election end of this month.