Provide key stakeholders with the same information on what the contribution of the Ivorian Police should be in attaining the objectives of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) process - this was the main objective of a seminar held in Grand Bassam from 17 to 20 September 2013. It was organised on the initiative of the United Nations in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior.



The opening ceremony of the seminar was attended by officials from United Nations agencies, the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the Ministry of the Interior.



" {The successive crises that Côte d'Ivoire has gone through for more than ten years have greatly altered the security system, caused the command structure to lose its balance and reduced the level of efficiency of the defence and security forces}," said the Chief of Staff of the Minister of the Interior and Security, Bamba Cheick Daniel,

adding that the reconstruction of the system had become necessary. " {The Government has therefore embarked on a strategic reform by creating a mixed working group on restructuring and rebuilding the defence and security forces}," he explained.



The reform of the police is at the heart of the reconstruction of Côte d'Ivoire. This is why the community of partners support this initiative, said the Country Director of the UN Programme for Development (UNDP) Luc Grégoire. The United Nations System is mobilised for this reform because it will help to strengthen state authority, he added. The current reform, Luc Grégoire further explained, should provide the opportunity to consolidate the appropriation and systemisation of an inclusive approach by all the actors in the security sector and society in general.



It should be recalled that in April 2012 the institutional framework of the Security Sector Reform was revised. Created on 8 August 2012, the National Security Council was set up to examine all issues linked to security and national politics.



Nine thematic groups were formed to examine the different aspects of the reform. At the end of the discussions, a detailed action plan was sublmitted to the Council.



The seminar in Grand-Bassam is expected to underline the important role of the police in SSR. It should also outline the need for this reform in Côte d'Ivoire and provide a preliminary draft of an action plan for SSR.