Former Foreign Affairs Minister of Burkina Faso Olivia Ragnaghn\u00e8wend\u00e9 Rouamba has said despite Africa\u2019s collective efforts, \u201cthe reality remains that state-led security approaches alone are often insufficient\u201d to address the continent\u2019s \u201ccomplex and evolving threats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keynoting at the international conference organised by the Centre for Intelligence and Security Analysis (CISA) at the Lancaster Hotel in Accra, Ghana, on Thursday, 7 November 2024, on the theme, \u2018New Paradigms for Ensuring Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Closer Cooperation with Non-Governmental Security and Intelligence Organisations,\u2019 she noted: \u201cIn our pursuit of stability, it has become increasingly clear that state-centric strategies, while foundational, require complementary support from non-governmental security and intelligence organisations (NGSIOs).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added that, \u201cpartnerships with private security firms, intelligence-sharing initiatives, good management of information between states and security-oriented NGOs, and grassroots organisations play an essential role in peacebuilding and community security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Limitations of Traditional State-Centric Security Approaches<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the Burkinabe diplomat, Africa\u2019s traditional approach to security relies heavily on government-controlled military and intelligence services \u2013 a model she acknowledged has historically served as the cornerstone of national defence but has proven inadequate in addressing the continent’s modern security challenges, which include terrorism, insurgency, and inter-ethnic violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Burkina Faso, for instance, she said the state forces have been stretched thin by the escalating violence in the Sahel, where extremist groups exploit weak borders and local grievances to destabilise the entire region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She cited, for example, that the G5 Sahel Joint Force \u2014 a regional coalition with support from the African Union (AU) \u2014 that was established to coordinate military efforts against armed insurgent groups continues to face significant obstacles, including limited resources, insufficient local intelligence, and challenges in building trust with affected communities though it has achieved some success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This experience, she stressed, has highlighted a critical point: military responses, while necessary, are not sufficient on their own. They must be accompanied by community engagement, targeted intelligence, and trust-building measures to create a comprehensive approach to security. Internationally, Amb. Rouamba said the situation is not different as similar limitations are seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Colombia, for example, she recalled how \u201cgovernment forces struggled to combat insurgent groups for decades until they began involving local organisations and private entities in peacebuilding efforts,\u201d underscoring: \u201cThese partnerships provided valuable local intelligence, facilitated disarmament efforts, and built pathways for reintegration into society, proving that sustainable security requires input from a wide range of actors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Role and Impact of Non-Governmental Security and Intelligence Organisations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To address the limitations of state-led security strategies, the former minister said \u201cAfrican nations have an opportunity to work more closely with non-governmental security and intelligence organisations,\u201d saying: \u201cThese entities bring unique capabilities, particularly in areas where state presence is limited or mistrusted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNon-governmental organisations (NGOs), for instance, are often deeply embedded within communities, allowing them to gather local insights, foster dialogue, and mediate conflicts that would be challenging for formal state forces to address alone,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said: \u201cOne successful example is Kenya, where the NGO – Search for Common Ground has worked with local communities to mitigate conflicts and reduce the influence of extremist groups such as al-Shabaab. By promoting community-led dialogues and providing training in conflict resolution, this organisation has helped foster trust between citizens and state security forces, reducing the community support that violent extremists rely on. Similar community-oriented approaches can provide crucial support for peace and stability, especially in regions where traditional state presence is minimal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another success story of such collaboration, she narrated that the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), an institution under the AU, \u201ccollaborates with various Non-Governmental Security and Intelligence Organisations (NGSIOs) to strengthen regional intelligence-sharing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This collaboration, she noted, \u201cenables the ACSRT to gather and analyse data from diverse sources, including local organisations and international NGOs, which bolsters its early warning systems and threat assessments,\u201d pointing out: \u201cSuch partnerships highlight the potential for hybrid intelligence models to enhance the accuracy and timeliness of security information, leading to more effective prevention and response strategies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Global Models of Public-Private Security Partnerships<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Borrowing a leaf from best practices in other parts of the world, Ms Rouamba said, \u201cPublic-private security partnerships have demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating diverse actors into security frameworks,\u201d noting how the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, for instance, \u201cexemplifies the importance of incorporating non-governmental entities into the counter-terrorism landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She indicated how private companies specialising in intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analysis have provided crucial support to the coalition\u2019s operations in Syria and Iraq, enhancing the coalition\u2019s capabilities beyond what state actors alone could achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Colombia, she told of how the government\u2019s fight against paramilitary groups and organised crime has been supported by private security firms and local organisations that assist with intelligence gathering, infrastructure security, and demobilisation efforts. This collaboration, she mentioned, \u201cenabled Colombia to secure remote areas and build trust with affected communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through partnerships with non-governmental actors, the Colombian government has seen notable improvements in both security and peacebuilding outcomes, offering a valuable model for African nations facing similar challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other examples closer to home, Ms Rouamba said in the Sahel, \u201cBurkina Faso and its neighbours have engaged with local self-defence groups in an attempt to strengthen community resilience against extremist incursions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said the fact that these partnerships have helped supplement national security forces \u201cunderscores the importance of having a structured framework to ensure accountability, training, and human rights compliance in non-governmental collaborations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strategic Approaches to Integrating Non-Governmental Actors into Africa\u2019s Security Architecture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To integrate NGSIOs into Africa\u2019s security architecture effectively, Amb. Rouamba suggested the continent pursues \u201cstrategies that build capacity, foster trust, and ensure compliance with legal standards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some promising approaches are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Capacity Building and Training: African nations can benefit from joint training initiatives that bring together state and non-state actors to build mutual understanding and professional standards. For example, the European Union\u2019s Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia) offers training to Somali police and coast guards, emphasizing the importance of law enforcement, anti-terrorism, and human rights compliance. Similar programs could be implemented across Africa to strengthen the professionalism and interoperability of all actors involved in security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Enhanced Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Establishing robust legal frameworks is essential for ensuring accountability and transparency in NGSIOs collaborations. In South Africa, for instance, private security firms are regulated by the government to ensure they operate within legal and ethical guidelines. Such frameworks provide a blueprint for other African nations looking to formalise and regulate the roles of private security and intelligence actors in their national security strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Community-Based Intelligence Gathering: Engaging local communities through partnerships with NGOs allows for more nuanced intelligence gathering and early threat detection. The African Union\u2019s Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) has successfully integrated contributions from civil society organizations, which enhances its ability to detect and respond to crises before they escalate. Expanding this model across the continent could provide critical support to governments, especially in remote or vulnerable regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Sustainable Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Amb. Rouamba\u2019s view, the integration of NGSIOs into Africa\u2019s security landscape, while promising, presents certain challenges that must be addressed to ensure success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Firstly, she said \u201caccountability and transparency are essential to prevent potential abuses by private security firms or community defence groups,\u201d explaining: \u201cLegal safeguards, regular audits, and clearly defined roles can provide a framework for ethical operations that respect human rights and community needs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Secondly, she highlighted that \u201cdata security is a significant concern, as intelligence-sharing with non-state actors involves handling sensitive information,\u201d therefore, \u201cAfrican governments must establish secure information-sharing protocols and invest in cybersecurity infrastructure to protect against potential breaches that could compromise both national security and public trust.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, she added: \u201cContinuous feedback from local communities is essential to ensure that security measures are both effective and responsive to the needs of the people. By maintaining open lines of communication and seeking regular input from communities, African governments can build trust and foster greater public support for security initiatives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In her opinion, Africa faces \u201can urgent need to adopt adaptive, inclusive approaches to peace and security that go beyond the traditional state-centric model,\u201d stressing: \u201cThe integration of non-governmental security and intelligence organisations into Africa\u2019s security architecture offers a pathway toward more resilient, context-sensitive solutions to the continent\u2019s complex challenges,\u201d and \u201cBy engaging private firms, NGOs, and community organisations, African nations can expand their capabilities, foster trust with local populations, and address both the symptoms and root causes of insecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said the experiences in Burkina Faso and across the Sahel \u201chave underscored the potential of these partnerships,\u201d and that \u201cBy implementing structured frameworks, legal safeguards, and capacity-building initiatives, we can build a comprehensive security network that aligns with the African Union\u2019s vision of a peaceful, prosperous Africa.\u201d This collaborative, hybrid approach, she rallied, \u201cholds the promise of not only enhancing immediate security but also contributing to the sustainable development and well-being of our continent,\u201d urging: \u201cLet us work together, state and non-state actors alike, to create a safer, more secured Africa for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Former Foreign Affairs Minister of Burkina Faso Olivia Ragnaghn\u00e8wend\u00e9 Rouamba has said despite Africa\u2019s collective efforts, \u201cthe reality remains that state-led security approaches alone are often insufficient\u201d to address the continent\u2019s \u201ccomplex and evolving threats.\u201d Keynoting at the international conference organised by the Centre for Intelligence and Security Analysis (CISA) at the Lancaster Hotel in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4215,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"subtitle":"","format":"standard","video":"","gallery":"","source_name":"CISA 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