A dozen members of the Ivorian parliamentary Commission on Defence and Security on Wednesday 9 April 2014 began a seminar on parliamentary oversight and security sector reform-SSR- organized by the SSR division of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the National Secretariat for Defence and Security.



It is the second seminar of its kind since November 2013 aimed at enhancing the knowledge and aptitude of participants in the area of security sector reform and the various opportunities open to them to fully exercise their mandate. They are also expected to acquire knowledge required for analyzing questions related to security, good governance, public life and leadership especially at the level of negotiations and mediation as well as personal development.

The session was opened by the representative of the National Security Commission, Jean-Paul Malan who thanked UNOCI and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Stiftung for their technical and financial support and expressed the wish that the seminar would end with the setting up of national mechanisms for the democratic oversight of security sector reform. "The success of this reform depends on the reinforcement of the capacity of the actors (state, judiciary, civil society, parliament) to face the challenges related to security needs and the development of relations of confidence among actors in view of setting up a formal structure for discussion and consultation on SSR," Mr. Malan pointed out.

UNOCI Chief of SSR Division, Ely Dieng said the seminar was aimed at encouraging participants to improve their knowledge and define their priorities for an SSR action plan. "It is an occasion for UNOCI to renew its commitment to continue support to the National Defence and Security Commission within the global framework of the SSR process and to make parliamentarians more conscious of their duty," he said.



The Chief of Programme of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Adamo Kouame said his institution was involved because of its concern to place parliament at the centre of public action in an independent position from the Executive and to bring it to address major issues which impact the daily lives of ordinary citizens and to deepen the democratic debate.

The seminar which is expected to end with recommendations on 12 April is examining a variety of topics including the principles of good governance, separation of powers, prevention and resolution of conflict, negotiation: the art of compromise, the SSR process in Cote d'Ivoire, the role and responsibilities of the different actors in a democracy and the democratic oversight of the security sector.