FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT| APRIL 2017 Final technical report International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Strengthening West African Research Capacity on Security - Project 106743 (March 2012 – Feb. 2017) ISS-Pretoria (head Office) ISS-Dakar 361 Veale Street Regional Office for West Africa Block C, Brooklyn Court Immeuble Atryum Center, 4th floor New Muckleneuk Route de Ouakam, Pretoria, South Africa Dakar, Senegal Research team Programme managers Déo Barakamfitiye, Stéphanie Wolters, Lori-Anne Théroux-Bénoni Senior researchers Lori-Anne Théroux-Bénoni, William Assanvo, Barthelemy Blédé, David Zounmenou, Stéphanie Wolters Researchers Paulin Maurice Toupane and Ibrahim Maïga Junior researcher Ella Abatan Junior fellows 2012: Awa Faye Daou, Paulin Maurice Toupane, Lucie Boucher 2013: Lidawo Kilo, Baba Dakono, Bile Ehoussoua Marie Emmanuela Kabran, Sohe Loïc Elyse Gino Vlavonou, Mahamoudou Kane 2014: Esso- Wedeou Gnamké, Fatimata Ouédraogo, Tity Agbahey, Ibrahim Maïga, Ousmane Aly Diallo 2015: Jeannine Ella Abatan, Cheikh Dieng, Pascaline Compaoré, Jeanine Kobi Bié 2016: Aissatou Kanté, Kadiatou Yacouba Keita, Fatimata Ba, Wendyam Aristide Sawadogo, Patrick Olivier Gnonsekan Country/Region Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya), Pretoria (South Africa) Contact information Lori-Anne Théroux-Bénoni [email protected], [email protected] CONTENTS 1. Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... 4 2. The research problem .............................................................................................................. 4 3. Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 5 4. Project activities ........................................................................................................................ 5 5. Project outputs ........................................................................................................................ 18 6. Project outcomes and impact ............................................................................................ 19 7. Lessons learnt and best practices .................................................................................. 26 8. Way forward and spin-off projects .................................................................................. 27 9. Annexure A: Publication table .......................................................................................... 28 10. Annexure B: Outcome monitoring ................................................................................ 34 11. Annexure C: Media coverage .......................................................................................... 37 INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT – IDRC PROJECT NO 106743 2 INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT – IDRC PROJECT NO 106743 3 1. Abstract From July 2012 to February 2017 this project, funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) of Canada, built the next generation of West African policy researchers in the areas of governance, justice and security. Through training and mentorships at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), a leading African policy research and training organisation engaged in human security, 22 junior fellows learnt how to convert desktop and field research findings into tools for policy debate and policy proposals. They developed valuable professional skills, expanded their networks and are now better equipped to undertake peace and security policy research in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region and beyond, enabling them to work within governments, regional organisations and civil society, among others. This project also served as a launching pad for the Dakar office of the ISS by supporting initial research capacity recruitment to supervise the fellows. It was fundamental in raising the profile of the ISS Dakar office by enhancing its contribution to policy debates about human security issues affecting the West African region. This report describes the project’s activities and provides detailed information about the outputs it generated and evidence of its impact in building the capacity of the fellows and producing policy research that has changed the discourse on human security in West Africa. It also summarises lessons that could inform future capacity-building projects and describes the way forward and new programmes generated by this project. 2. The research problem West Africa remains one of the most volatile regions in Africa and has, perhaps more than any other sub-region, acquired unenviable notoriety as a theatre of violent conflict, political instability, human and drug trafficking as well as state implosion. While there have been encouraging moves away from active armed conflict in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire, the political climate in many countries still poses serious security challenges such as transnational crime, terrorist activities, increasing religious extremism, difficulties in political transition, regional insurgencies, fragile post-conflict situations, military coups and other unconstitutional changes of government, as well as the negative consequences of climate change and natural disasters. In responding to these challenges countries in the region have demonstrated limited or weak policies and technical and administrative capacity. Good policy-making comes from a sound understanding of the context within which the policies are to be implemented and the availability of a range of viable policy options for consideration. They are also dependent on accurate, credible and impartial information and analysis. Yet West Africa suffers from a dearth of policy analysts and researchers in areas of governance, security and justice, partly because universities and training centres in the region focus more on academic than on policy-oriented research. ISS’s vision is to work towards a stable and peaceful Africa characterised by sustainable development, human rights, the rule of law, democracy, collaborative security and gender mainstreaming. The ISS intends to realise this vision by undertaking applied research; working collaboratively with others; facilitating and supporting policy formulation; monitoring trends and policy implementation; collecting, interpreting and disseminating information and networking at national, regional and international levels. This vision is in line with the IDRC’s INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT – IDRC PROJECT NO 106743 4 priorities for this project, which relate to governance, justice and security. Well-trained personnel are central to realising such a vision. 3. Objectives The two specific objectives of the project were: (i) To strengthen the ability of the new ISS Dakar office to develop Francophone West African research capacity in the area of human security by recruiting a senior researcher (Phase 1 only) and researchers (Phase 2); (ii) To enhance the policy research and analytical capacity of young Francophone West African scholars in relation to security issues through training and mentorship at the ISS, as well as to translate their research findings into tools for policy debate and change (Phases 1 and 2). The intention was to provide 20 young, post-graduate Francophone West African researchers with the opportunity to gain experience working in a policy research organisation, engage with broad security policy matters and respond to the complex challenges facing West Africa in relation to issues of governance, security and justice. The ISS intended to support fellows who wished to pursue a career working on issues such as conflict analysis, risk analysis, peace-building, security, corruption, rule of law, governance or transnational threats. The intention was to empower and transfer knowledge to junior fellows, who, in turn, provide the ISS with short-term assistance and the development of outputs in line with the Institute’s overall objectives. Building on the accomplishments of and lessons learned from the 2012-2015 IDRC-funded junior fellowship project, the programme was extended for an additional two years (2015- 2017). As elaborated in the following sections, the implementation of both phases of the project exceeded the initial objectives. 4. Project activities Three main activities assigned to the project and supported by IDRC funding were: ● to recruit researchers (senior and junior) in Dakar to mentor the fellows effectively and provide the Dakar office with research capacity; ● to recruit five cohorts of fellows through a competitive and transparent selection process and to assist them in relocating to take up their positions; ● to mentor effectively five cohorts of fellows in Addis, Dakar, Nairobi and Pretoria during Phase 1 and in Dakar only in Phase 2 during their daily participation in the work of the ISS offices (including their stipends, accommodation, health insurance; conduct of field research activities as appropriate; publications and support of indirect costs in the offices in which the fellows were located). INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT – IDRC PROJECT NO 106743 5 This section details the implementation of each of these activities over the duration of the project. 4.1 Recruitment of researchers in Dakar The project has strengthened the research capacity of the ISS Dakar office with the initial