Developed for the Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law, this paper presents a series of thematic discussions derived from the literature on policing in a number of African countries. Taking a developmental and human security perspective, the paper focuses on the diffuse networks of nonstate and state providers that serve as the primary safety and security providers for a vast majority of communities. Although hybrid policing systems vary in capacity and end-user satisfaction, traditional statutory policing structures are generally characterized by severe dysfunction, politicization, and abuse with impunity. Considering the diverse challenges faced by many national police actors on the continent, the paper questions the efficacy of prevailing state-centric security assistance programs and their overwhelming focus on strengthening “enforcement” capacities. It cautions donors to take a more considered approach to ensure their police assistance activities are supporting the protection, not the predation, of local communities.
Policing and (In)security in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings: A Review of Perspectives on Policing in Sub-Saharan Africa
Money laundering and terrorism financing pose significant threats to security and development efforts worldwide and increasingly undermine the integrity and stability of the global financial system. In recent years, there has been increasing political will and tangible progress on anti–money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) issues in the region. In order to capitalize on this momentum, the Global Center, supported by the Government of Denmark, has produced a detailed research study of AML/CFT developments and remaining challenges in the region, building on a 2012 also supported by the Government of Denmark, titled “ISSP-CGCC Joint Baseline Study on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism in the IGAD Subregion.”
The report includes cutting-edge information and analysis from 10 countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Yemen. It provides a snapshot of the underlying economic and socio-political climate in each country, followed by an in-depth analysis of AML/CFT developments and achievements, as well as remaining capacity and implementation challenges. The report includes recommendations for initiatives that support jurisdictions in addressing capacity challenges and building more robust AML/CFT regimes and discusses regulatory challenges and financial inclusion opportunities posed by emerging technologies, such as mobile banking, within the region.
Remittance funds sent by the diaspora are often noted as a lifeline for Somalia, comprising a significant component of the economy and covering the costs of basic necessities such as food, education, and health care for millions of Somalis. Beyond providing vital support for short-term sustenance needs, many members of the Somali diaspora view sending remittances as a cultural tradition and a personal contribution to the rebuilding of their communities, including investment in the growth of business enterprises, financial stability, and economic development across Somalia.
This policy brief examines the Danish-Somali remittance corridor against the backdrop of recent MSB bank account closures, including those in the United Kingdom and the United States. It provides insight into MSB operations and remittance sending practices in Denmark, as well as background on the Somali diaspora there. The brief was informed by a combination of desk research and field consultations with Somali community members in the Danish cities of Aalborg, Aarhus, and Copenhagen. The brief offers recommendations to key actors including Danish AML/CFT regulatory authorities, Somali MSBs, and Danish financial institutions holding Somali MSB bank accounts, with the objective of preventing similar account closures in Denmark.
The development of a vibrant and active private banking system that complements existing public sector work is considered important to Ethiopia’s economic progress and key to the success of the government’s “Growth and Transformation Plan,” an ambitious five-year development plan to assist the country in reaching “middle income” status. This brief considers the manner in which Ethiopia’s public and private banking systems affect the development of the national economy, with particular reference to anti–money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism vulnerabilities. Ethiopia is not alone in facing this challenge, as banking industry liberalization is a key consideration in a range of countries, from large economies such as India to regional neighbors such as Uganda, particularly as the 2008 global financial crisis has raised some important questions about the merits of uncontrolled banking industry development.
Ethiopia has experienced notable economic growth over the last ten years, but its foreign exchange controls appear restrictive in comparison to peer group countries. This brief considers the manner in which foreign exchange control regimes and remittances affect Ethiopia’s economic development and the challenge of imposing appropriate anti–money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism policies without hindering or limiting the important developmental role played by remittance flows. Although this brief focuses on the extent to which these overlapping issues impact Ethiopia, it is important to note that other countries in and beyond the region are also facing these issues as they seek to use such controls to support and protect their economies and currencies.
Professional, accountable and responsive criminal justice systems are essential for addressing a range of complex security challenges while safeguarding human rights and upholding the rule of law. To be effective, the entire system, from lawmakers to law enforcement officials, prosecutors, judges, and prison administrators, and other actors involved in delivering and ensuring the accountability of justice and security services, require ongoing training and capacity development. Particularly in transitional, fragile and conflict-affected countries, developing the capacity of institutions that can uphold the rule of law and protect human rights are crucial for enhancing safety and security, strengthening accountability, promoting good governance.
This report, co-authored by the Global Center’s Alistair Millar and Matthew Schwartz, outlines a series of recommendations for the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) in developing a curricula and program agenda based on the diverse needs of a multi-national and cross-regional constituency of partner countries. Once established, the IIJ will serve as a training center dedicated to strengthening criminal justice institutions, promoting regional legal cooperation, and fostering criminal justice practitioner networks based on a respect for human rights and the rule of law. The core findings and recommendations of this report are derived from a larger European Union-supported study undertaken by an expert team led by Millar under the auspices of CIVI.POL Conseil. Based on extensive desk research, seven country visits, and consolations with more than 200 stakeholders, the study assessed criminal justice-related counterterrorism capacity building and training needs in 18 focus countries across East Africa and the Horn, the Middle East and North Africa, and West Africa the Sahel.
The Horn of Africa has long been a recipient of foreign security assistance, with significant funds increasingly devoted to supporting subregional civilian-oriented counterterrorism efforts over the past decade. Despite efforts to better coordinate delivery, counterterrorism programming in the subregion generally remains fragmented, short-term, and siloed in implementation. This article argues that it is time to rethink the international community’s approach to counterterrorism assistance to the Horn of Africa and calls for a cohesive regional approach that not only bridges the gap between security and development, but also the gap between counterterrorism and human security. It emphasizes that the international community must not only better coordinate existing streams of counterterrorism assistance to the region, but also rethink how this assistance is designed and the ways it can be delivered to complement broader subregional development and security agendas. After a brief introduction to international counterterrorism assistance to the Horn of Africa, the article examines linkages across three thematic streams of programming being delivered to the subregion: anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism; criminal justice capacity building assistance to counter terrorism; and, countering violent extremism. This discussion will highlight the need for a regional risk reduction strategy for the Horn of Africa that not only builds on the interplay of different streams of counterterrorism assistance, but on synergies across broader subregional development and security agendas as well.
Money laundering and terrorist financing pose an ongoing challenge for countries in the greater Horn of Africa and the international community as a whole. In addition to negatively affecting the integrity and stability of national financial systems, they also threaten national security and undermine economic development. The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Terrorist Financing Regime in Ethiopia: Second Assessment Report builds upon an assessment conducted in early 2012 for a baseline study on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) in East Africa. This second assessment report identifies key areas of progress, limitations and challenges to, and opportunities for the ongoing development of Ethiopia’s AML/CFT regime. It also outlines recommended entry points to further strengthen and expedite AML/CFT efforts in compliance with regional and international standards.
Combined with a history of violent conflict, the greater Horn of Africa subregion has offered an enabling environment for violent extremism for more than a half century. The Global Center and partners recently conducted a pilot demonstration project in coastal Kenya and Somaliland and produced this report, which offers insight into local perceptions of violent extremism and details an approach to countering the phenomenon based on key drivers identified by participating communities.
This report presents the findings of a pilot demonstration project conducted by the Global Center to assess community attitudes towards violent extremism and the impact of international prevention programming undertaken in Kenya and Somaliland. The report offers a series of recommendations on how relevant international actors can best contribute to context-sensitive CVE programming in partnership with local communities.
This short film was produced to capture local perspectives on the impact of violent extremism on their communities. Community activists, religious and civil society leaders, and local experts from Nairobi and Coast Province share their thoughts and suggest ways to overcome challenges in the Kenyan context. It can be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/56780867.
In March 2012, the Task Force on Legal Cooperation Against Terrorism in the IGAD Subregion explored innovative ways to rapidly scale up legal cooperation against terrorism and related transnational crime. This task force of eight senior officials from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) sought to identify challenges for IGAD member states in the effective implementation of the IGAD Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition Conventions and develop concrete recommendations on additional practical, concrete steps to strengthen legal cooperation against terrorism in the IGAD subregion.
This report presents the final observations and recommendations of that task force. It is based on consultations with delegations from IGAD and all IGAD member states and discussions with a number of external partners. To further understand the legislative dynamics of cross-border law enforcement cooperation, the task force met with senior Ethiopian, Kenyan, and Ugandan members of parliament. Institutional, legal, and operational issues were discussed with diplomatic, criminal justice, law enforcement, military, and intelligence officials. Over the course of its consultations, the task force generally focused on four main areas of discussion: mechanisms for internal cooperation, mechanisms for interstate cooperation; challenges to internal and external cooperation, and opportunities for subregional engagement.