Reimagining the Security Sector in Sudan

Sudan Webinar Series

March 1 – April 26, 2021

English | عربي

Session 1 | Monday, March 1, 2021

Democratic Transition and the Critical Role of the Security Sector

Session Objectives

  • Examine the important role of the security sector in the time of transition from military to civilian-led rule. What is the security sector? Who defines security
  • Review lessons in reforming the security sector in other democratic transitions.
  • Discuss the reasons why democratic transitions sometimes fail when militaries or other security institutions refuse to give up power.

Recommended Readings

Speakers

  1. Dr. Adnen Manser
  1. Dr. Hassan El Haj Ali

Moderator

Dr. Luka Kuol

Session 2 | Monday, March 15, 2021

Taking Stock of Sudan’s Civil-Military Relations

Session Objectives

  • Share the Sudanese experience in civil-military relations from the previous transitions.
  • Discuss the challenges in fostering dialogue and building trust between security actors and civilians during democratic transitions in Sudan, including for civil society actors to sustain their demands for better governance, citizens to understand their roles and responsibilities in security matters under a democracy, and how expectations of civilians by security professionals may need to change as the transition proceeds.
  • Share opportunities and lessons learned to improving civil-military relations during the current transition.

Recommended Readings

Speakers

  1. General (Ret.) Imad Eldin Adawi
  1. Ms. Mervet Hamad Elneil
  1. Dr. Tamer Abd Elkreem

Moderator

Dr. Luka Kuol

Session 3 | Monday, March 29, 2021

Security Sector Reform and National Security Strategy: African Experience

Session Objectives

  • Discuss the rationale and reasons for national security strategies in Africa and why reforms of the security sector must be nested within a broader strategic framework and threat assessment.
  • Examine the importance and challenges of the security sector reform process during democratic transition, especially the factors involved with deconstructing an old power structure and building a new civilian one, and how this will involve redesigning institutions over time.
  • Examine the critical role of leadership and national ownership in the development of national security strategy and security sector reform during the democratic transition process.

Recommended Readings

Speakers

  1. Professor Medhane Tadesse
  1. Dr. Émile Ouédraogo
  1. Dr. Tamer Abd Elkreem

Moderator

Ms. Susan Stigant

Session 4 | Monday, April 12, 2021

National Security Strategy: A Practical Tool

Session Objectives

  • Discuss the rationale and relevance of developing a national security strategy as a practical tool for different contexts in Africa, including in Sudan, and its link to security sector reform in Africa.
  • Share the key phases of national security strategy development process, the key stakeholders who should be involved in the process to deliver citizen security, and the core components of the national security strategy document.
  • Examine some key challenges that are likely to be encountered in national security strategy development in Africa and how to overcome such challenges.

Recommended Readings

Speakers

  1. Dr. Fairlie Chappuis
  1. Dr. Émile Ouédraogo

Moderator

Dr. Luka Kuol

Session 5 | Monday, April 26, 2021

The Relevance of National Security Strategy Development for Sudan’s Transition

Session Objectives

  • Discuss the rationale and the relevance of national security strategy development and security sector reform processes to the current transition in Sudan.
  • Examine the challenges that are likely to be encountered in developing a national security strategy in Sudan.
  • Discuss how national security strategy development may provide opportunities for addressing the challenges that are likely to be encountered during the security sector reform process in Sudan.

Recommended Readings

Speakers

  1. Maj. Gen. (Retired) Mubarak Babiker
  1. Ms. Omayma Quatbi
  1. Dr. Tamer Abd Elkreem

Moderator

Dr. Luka Kuol