Sudan Webinar Series
March 1 – April 26, 2021
Democratic Transition and the Critical Role of the Security Sector
Session Objectives
Examine the important role of the security sector in the time of transition from military to civilian-led rule. What is the security sector? Who defines security
Review lessons in reforming the security sector in other democratic transitions.
Discuss the reasons why democratic transitions sometimes fail when militaries or other security institutions refuse to give up power.Recommended Readings
Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS), “Special Section: Armies, Politics and Democratic Transition,” Siyasat Arabiya, Issue 24, January 2017.
Kuol, Luka Biong D., 2020. “Reforming the Security Sector in Sudan: The Need for a Framework.” Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Africa Center for Strategic Studies, “National Security Strategy Development in Africa: Toolkit for Drafting and Consultation.”
Africa Union, 2013. Policy Framework on Security Sector Reform. Addis Ababa: The African Union.
African Union, 2004. The Solemn Declaration on Common African Defense and Security Policy. Addis Ababa: The African Union.
Africa Center for Strategic Studies, “National Security Strategy Development in Africa: Rationale and Commitments” (Video).
Susan Stigant; Elizabeth Murray, 2015. “National Dialogues: A Tool for Conflict Transformation?”
Africa Center for Strategic Studies, “Africa’s Militaries: A Missing Link in Democratic Transitions.” January 31, 2012.
Zaidan, Yasir, 2021. “Sudan’s Trasitional National Security,” African Arguments.Speakers
Dr. Adnen Manser
Dr. Hassan El Haj AliModerator
Dr. Luka Kuol
Session 2 | Monday, March 15, 2021
Taking Stock of Sudan’s Civil-Military Relations
Session Objectives
Share the Sudanese experience in civil-military relations from the previous transitions.
Discuss the challenges in fostering dialogue and building trust between security actors and civilians during democratic transitions in Sudan, including for civil society actors to sustain their demands for better governance, citizens to understand their roles and responsibilities in security matters under a democracy, and how expectations of civilians by security professionals may need to change as the transition proceeds.
Share opportunities and lessons learned to improving civil-military relations during the current transition.Recommended Readings
Houngnikpo, Mathurin C., 2012. “Africa’s Militaries: A Missing Link in Democratic Transitions,” Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Zaidan, Yasir, 2021. “Sudan’s Transitional National Security,” African Arguments.
Allen, Nathaniel; Kuol, Luka, 2020. “Civil-Military Relations and Sudan’s Treacherous Path to Democracy,” Working Paper.
Abdel-Rahim, Muddathir, 1978. “Changing Patterns of Civilian-Military Relations in the Sudan,” Muddathir Abdel-Rahim and Nordiska afrikainstitutet.Speakers
General (Ret.) Imad Eldin Adawi
Ms. Mervet Hamad Elneil
Dr. Tamer Abd ElkreemModerator
Dr. Luka Kuol
Session 3 | Monday, March 29, 2021
Security Sector Reform and National Security Strategy: African Experience
Session Objectives
Discuss the rationale and reasons for national security strategies in Africa and why reforms of the security sector must be nested within a broader strategic framework and threat assessment.
Examine the importance and challenges of the security sector reform process during democratic transition, especially the factors involved with deconstructing an old power structure and building a new civilian one, and how this will involve redesigning institutions over time.
Examine the critical role of leadership and national ownership in the development of national security strategy and security sector reform during the democratic transition process.Recommended Readings
Kuol, Luka Biong D., 2020. “Reforming the Security Sector in Sudan: The Need for a Framework.” Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Ball, Nicole, 2014. “Lessons from Burundi’s Security Sector Reform Process,” Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Ouédraogo, Émile, 2014. “Advancing Military Professionalism in Africa,” Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Zena, Prosper Nzekani, 2013. “The Lessons and Limits of DDR in Africa,” Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Houngnikpo, Mathurin C., 2012. “Africa’s Militaries: A Missing Link in Democratic Transitions,” Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Sarah Detzner, 2017. “Modern Post-conflict SSR in Africa,” African Security Review.
Adedeji Ebo, 2005. “The challenges and opportunities of SSR in post-conflict in Liberia,” Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).
Hassan El Haj Ali, 2017. “Military Coup as Political Transition: Army and Political Authority in Sudan” Issue 24, Siyasat Arabiya.
Siegle, Joseph, 2021. “The Sudanese Military’s Interests in Civilian Rule,” Africa Center for Strategic Studies.Speakers
Professor Medhane Tadesse
Dr. Émile Ouédraogo
Dr. Tamer Abd ElkreemModerator
Ms. Susan Stigant
Session 4 | Monday, April 12, 2021
National Security Strategy: A Practical Tool
Session Objectives
Discuss the rationale and relevance of developing a national security strategy as a practical tool for different contexts in Africa, including in Sudan, and its link to security sector reform in Africa.
Share the key phases of national security strategy development process, the key stakeholders who should be involved in the process to deliver citizen security, and the core components of the national security strategy document.
Examine some key challenges that are likely to be encountered in national security strategy development in Africa and how to overcome such challenges.Recommended Readings
Africa Center for Strategic Studies, “National Security Strategy Development in Africa: Toolkit for Drafting and Consultation.”
Case Studies: South Sudan, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Liberia.Speakers
Dr. Fairlie Chappuis
Dr. Émile OuédraogoModerator
Dr. Luka Kuol
Session 5 | Monday, April 26, 2021
The Relevance of National Security Strategy Development for Sudan’s Transition
Session Objectives
Discuss the rationale and the relevance of national security strategy development and security sector reform processes to the current transition in Sudan.
Examine the challenges that are likely to be encountered in developing a national security strategy in Sudan.
Discuss how national security strategy development may provide opportunities for addressing the challenges that are likely to be encountered during the security sector reform process in Sudan.Recommended Readings
Kuol, Luka Biong D., 2020. “Reforming the Security Sector in Sudan: The Need for a Framework.” Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Siegle, Joseph, 2021. “The Sudanese Military’s Interests in Civilian Rule,”Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Zaidan, Yasir, 2021. “Sudan’s Transitional National Security,” African Arguments.
Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS), “Special Section: Armies, Politics and Democratic Transition,” Siyasat Arabiya, Issue 24, January 2017.
Africa Center for Strategic Studies, “National Security Strategy Development in Africa: Toolkit for Drafting and Consultation.”
Case Studies: South Sudan, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Liberia, Botswana, Cote d’ivoire, Madagascar, South Africa, and Senegal.Speakers
Maj. Gen. (Retired) Mubarak Babiker
Ms. Omayma Quatbi
Dr. Tamer Abd ElkreemModerator
Dr. Luka Kuol