National Security Strategy Development Process: Lessons Learned

Virtual Academic Program

March 9–24, 2021

English | Français | Português | عربي

Information Note
Schedule
Biographies
Africa Center Overview

Session 1  |  March 9, 2021

National Security Strategy Development: Phases, Initiation, and Pre-Drafting Actions for Inception

Presented by:

  1. Colonel Jean Sylvestre Biagui – The Case of Senegal
  1. Ambassador Momodou Badjie – The Case of Gambia
  1. Dr. Fairlie Chappuis – The NSSD Toolkit

Objectives:

  • Share some typical phases for the NSSD process in Africa.
  • Discuss the critical entry points and conditions that triggered the initiation of the NSS development/review process.
  • Examine some pre-drafting actions that are necessary for the inception of the NSSD process.
  • Share some of the critical lessons learned during the initiation and inception of the NSSD process.

Discussion Questions:

  • How was the NSSD process initiated in your country?
  • Could you provide some examples of the important role played by the leadership during the initial phase of the NSSD process and why?
  • What is the most important action to be taken during the initial phase of NSSD process and why?

Required Reading:

Session 2  |  March 16, 2021

National Security Strategy Development: Drafting, Feedback, and Consultation

Presented by:

  1. Dr. Peter Biar Ajak – The Case of South Sudan
  1. Colonel Major Ali Mahamadou – The Case of Niger
  1. Dr. Fairlie Chappuis – The NSSD Toolkit

Objectives:

  • Discuss practical process and steps of drafting NSS in terms of initial drafting, review, addressing different views, and reaching a compromise.
  • Examine the process of consultation, consensus building, and practical ways of ensuring an inclusive and participatory process, particularly for women, youth, and civil society.
  • Share some of the challenges faced during the consultation and how these challenges could be overcome.
  • Share some of the critical lessons learned during the drafting and consultation phase.

Discussion Questions:

  • What are the practical steps taken to initiate in the process of drafting, accommodating different views, and reaching compromise in your country?
  • What are some practical steps taken to ensure all stakeholders; particularly women, youth, civil society and opposition groups were consulted during the drafting of NSS in your country?
  • What is the experience of your country in reaching compromise when there are different and conflicting views and interests during the NSSD process?

Required Reading:

Session 3  |  March 23, 2021

National Security Strategy Development: Approval, Adoption, Dissemination, and Access

Presented by:

  1. Ambassador Layiwola Laseinde – The Case of Nigeria
  1. Colonel Major Theodore Pale – The Case of Burkina Faso
  1. Dr. Fairlie Chappuis – The NSSD Toolkit

Objectives:

  • Examine the process of approval and adoption of the NSS document and the engagement of the national parliament.
  • Discuss how the NSS document has been disseminated and communicated to different stakeholders, particularly women, youth, civil society, and their feedback.
  • Share the main features and key elements of the NSS document and whether the document is publicly accessible.

Discussion Questions:

  • What is the experience of your country in approving and adopting the NSS document and do you think the national parliament to be involved and why?
  • How can the NSS document be effectively disseminated and communicated to different stakeholders, particularly women, youth, and civil society and how can the media be involved in the process?
  • Should the NSS document be made public, why or why not?

Required Reading: