Reform and Restructuring of Internal Security Forces in Ivory Coast

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Cote d'Ivoire

04/04/2004 - 01/03/2006

This mission was to assist the Government of  National Reconciliation in conjunction with the African Union, ECOWAS and other international organizations in restoring a civilian policing presence throughout Ivory Coast, to advise the Government of National Reconciliation on the reform and restructuring of the internal security services, and to assist the Ivorian parties with the implementation of temporary and interim security measures in the northern part of the country.

Assessment Programme Design Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation
Which part of the programme cycle will the mandate team be supporting? Note: Implementation includes coaching, advising, training and other capacity building activities in support of the implementation phase of a programme.
  • Concept of operation and a plan of action developed
  • 320 police advisors and 375 officers from 3 Formed Police Units deployed
  • 19 posts created and established, strategically positioned throughout Ivory Coast
  • Reform and Restructuring unit created, composed of experts
  • Support delivered to planning, recruiting and training 600 security auxiliaries in the FAFN controlled area in the North of Ivory Coast
  • Training, advice and monitoring provided within the Technical and Scientific Police, road traffic accident and investigations, airport security and community policing (joint patrols)
  • Planning for security measures supported in the Northern and Southern parts of Ivory Coast to take place during the future DDR
  • Monitoring of the Arms Embargo implemented
  • All UNPOLs activities within UN family were integrated
  • The Prime Minister of the Government of National Reconciliation was making decisions about policing, security and DDR after consultation with National and International assistance
  • No major progresses were made on Reform and Restructuring because of resistance from the Police and the Gendarmerie. The Prime Minister was supporting the action plan but could not influence the outcome
  • 600 security auxiliaries were the first elements to restore a civilian police presence in the North. They contributed to the implementation of temporary and interim security measures in the northern part of the country
  • UNPOL presence throughout the country directly contributed to immediately act on abuses, to mentor, to monitor and to train security forces
  • The lack of political will, the instability of the country, the separation of the country into three distinct parts and the politicization of the security forces had a negative impact on the outcome
04/04/2004
01/03/2006

Specific Lessons Identified