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SESSION 5 & 6: Strengthening the Role of parliaments in CrisisPrevention and Recovery: Experience from the West African region41. In sessions 5 and 6, representatives from 10 regional organizations (ECOWAS Parliament, UNREC,DCAF, FES, Parliamentary Centre, WANEP, WAANSA, IPU, AWEPA and UNDP) presented theiractivities, initiatives and efforts regarding regional crisis prevention work with parliaments in WestAfrica with a particular focus on success stories, impacts, bottlenecks and challenges.The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament42. Professor Kabeer Garba, Bureau Manager of theECOWAS Parliament - gave a brief historicalbackground of the ECOWAS Parliament:establishment, composition, structure, organs,and competence. He stressed the fact that eventhough the ECOWAS Parliament as a CommunityInstitution does not have a clear mandateregarding crisis prevention, the Parliament is stillinvolved in crisis prevention efforts thanks to anenabling environment: The Chairman of theECOWAS Authority and the President of theECOWAS Commission encourages and supportsthese efforts; ECOWAS parliamentarians are alsoconcerned and committed to regional peace and security. They debate over Country Reports at allOrdinary Sessions of Parliament, including reports from parliamentarians from the opposition whoreport on happenings in their countries. Professor Garba cited a few examples of success stories ofthe ECOWAS Parliament such as the ECOWAS Warning and Response Network (ECOWARN), theParliament’s contribution to the resolution of the Liberia crises and peace efforts in Côte d’Ivoireand the Mano River area; its response to the attempt by the Government of the ousted NigerienPresident Tandja Momodou to perpetuate itself in power after the military coup d’état in February2010; its intervention to restore constitutionality and democratic order in the Republic of Guinea.Regarding the challenges of ECOWAS parliament crisis prevention work, Professor Garbamentioned:-The lack of continuity of these efforts;-The duality of membership by parliamentarians;-The lack of knowledge by community citizens of the existence of the Parliament and its role;-The lack of legal instruments which restrains the Parliament from attaining the level of law makingand restricts it to its present advisory role.The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC)43. Mr. Kossi Agokla, security Sector Reform (SSR) Expert at the United Nations Regional Centre forPeace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) - provided a quick overview of UNREC’s activities withparliaments regarding crisis prevention and recovery issues in West Africa. UNREC supports:22
a) Effective parliamentary oversight of the security sector;b) A greater involvement of parliamentarians in small arms control;c) The ratification and integration in the national law of regional and international conventionsregarding small arms and light weapons.44. UNREC’s strategy and methods consist in organizing advocacy, experience sharing and informationworkshops for parliamentarians to enhance their capacity and strengthen their willingness toexercise oversight over the security sector (this includes initiatives to secure electoral processes,small arms and light weapons control, defense budget oversight). UNREC has carried out suchactivities in Benin, Togo and Mali. Another successful initiative pointed out by Mr. Agokla concernsthe collaboration between parliamentarians and superior officers in Sierra Leone: UNREC helpedbuild a quality and harmonious joint oversight effort of the security sector. UNREC’s approach alsoconsists in providing capacity building and trainings especially on law drafting for security sectorreforms, and guidance on how to transpose international security-related conventions into thenational law.45. According to Mr. Agokla, the main challenges of crisis prevention work with parliaments in WestAfrica revolve around the lack of expertise in terms of security sector reform and budgetprocedures and management. In order to improve support to parliaments dealing with crisisprevention and recovery issues in West Africa, Mr. Agokla identified 3 major priorities: First,ensuring the sustainability of capacity-building impacts on parliamentarians with regard to theirresponsibilities in security sector oversight. Second, the establishment of regional platforms forparliamentary defense and security committees in the region to come together, share experiencesand improve their expertise in dealing with defense and security oversight. Third, the establishmentof an open space w<strong>here</strong> discussions can take place between parliamentarians and defense andsecurity forces to better asses security needs.The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)46. Mr. Okey Uzoechina, Focal Point for West Africa at the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control ofArmed Forces (DCAF) - presented the programmatic agenda of DCAF for building the capacity ofWest African Parliaments in the oversight of the security sector and in post-conflict reconstructionand peace building. He first pointed out the intrinsic link between the security sector and humansecurity, crisis prevention and sustainable development. With regard to DCAF’s work objectiveswith West African Parliaments, Mr. Uzoechina underscored efforts made to reinforce the civilmilitarydialogue on defense and security issues between the parliament and a variety ofstakeholders including the armed forces, the police, security and intelligence services; and dialoguebetween the parliament and the executive, media and civil society organizations, and otheroversight bodies.47. At the regional level, DCAF has developed in close cooperation with the ECOWAS Parliament, aGuide for West African Parliamentarians on the oversight of the security sector and the role ofparliaments in fighting trans-border crime, small arms and light weapons. DCAF also developed incooperation with ECOWAS a Code of Conduct for Armed Forces and Security Services in Africa.DCAF also supports the ECOWAS Commission in the development of an ECOWAS security sectorgovernance concept and action plan within the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework.23
Page 1: Regional SeminarREPORTTowards Stren
Page 4 and 5: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYOn the basis of UN
Page 6 and 7: INTRODUCTION1. On the basis of UNDP
Page 8 and 9: OPENING CEREMONY9. The opening cere
Page 10 and 11: Building inclusive, responsive and
Page 12 and 13: Parliaments should adopt a region-w
Page 14 and 15: SESSION 2: Parliamentary Performanc
Page 17 and 18: SESSION 3: Parliaments as Peace-Bui
Page 19 and 20: 36. General reflections on the foll
Page 21: Sierra Leone for example, a reprodu
Page 25 and 26: 51. Mr. Asoba identified 4 major ch
Page 27 and 28: consultations and campaigns for pea
Page 29 and 30: From left to right: Dr. Rasheed Dra
Page 31 and 32: Strengthening the mechanisms of reg
Page 33 and 34: 3) Successful interventions in the
Page 35 and 36: 19) Encourage parliamentarians to e
Page 37 and 38: SESSION 9: Closing session: partner
Page 39 and 40: CONCLUSION85. Strengthening parliam
Page 41 and 42: 11:00 - 11:15 Coffee breakSession 3
Page 43 and 44: Annex 2: Participants ListMembers o
Page 45 and 46: International and Regional Organiza

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