Context
In many countries of sub-Saharan Africa, people’s lives are often marred by violence and legal uncertainty due to years of armed conflict and the weakness of state institutions.
It is the responsibility of the affected state structures to (re)establish security and the rule of law, and they are supported in doing so by the international donor community. The development or reform of the security sector is extremely important for the consolidation of peace and promotion of stability. It is also a key precondition for economic and social development. Unfortunately, the security sector in general and the police forces in particular often lack the capacities for fulfilling these tasks properly. Often, police forces are short-staffed, poorly equipped, have insufficient training and are prone to corruption. In addition, human rights and the rule of law are not adequately embedded in the institutions. Consequently people often perceive their police force as a threat rather than a protection.
Particularly in post-conflict countries, the police sometime perform their duties to only a very limited extent. As part of international peacekeeping missions, the United Nations and police officers of the European Union are making significant contributions to the development and reform of the security sector.
Objective
The security situation in post-conflict and fragile countries of Africa has improved. Police institutions are working with an increasing level of professionalism and value-orientation, and the police have a greater presence, especially in rural areas and border regions.
Approach
Since 2008, with its Police programme Africa, GIZ has been supporting the development of police structures around Africa on behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office (AA). This measure is designed as a framework programme which includes a range of different interventions in different countries. As of 2013, to strengthen the capacities of national police structures in seven countries of sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel region, the programme is providing advisory services and carrying out measures to improve training, infrastructure and equipment levels. In addition, the programme is contributing to the development of the police components of the African Union (AU), the African Standby Force (ASF), the regional police contingents and the AU peace operations.
Results achieved so far
Technical advice and appropriate training measures have been used to strengthen the management capacities of the institutions, thereby contributing significantly to the establishment of international standards in police work.
An adequate standard of policing equipment and numerous training courses have enhanced the effectiveness and operational capabilities of specific individual units and of the police as an institution, which, in turn, has increased the loyalty and motivation of the police officers.
Police presence has been increased, even in remoter regions, and the operational capacity of police forces improved, due to the construction and rehabilitation of police stations and the development of radio communication networks. Likewise, standards of professional training have improved following the building or renovation of police academies, and the supply of equipment for them, as well as the provision of advice on the development of training modules and courses for instructors. Measures to support the work of crime detection and forensics have improved the capacity of police forces to conduct investigations and secure legally permissible evidence.
The police components of the African Union and the regional contingents of the ASF are receiving advice on their organisational development as well as in terms of policing techniques.
The training measures in preparation for peacekeeping missions have increased the performance capacities of the police forces. Police deployed in peacekeeping missions fulfil their tasks in accordance with international standards. As such, they provide better protection to the civilian populations in the areas of their deployment.
THIS PROGRAMME COMPRISES THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS
Supporting the development of the police component of the African Standby Force (ASF)
Strengthening national police structures in the Niger
Strengthening national police structures in Mauritania
Strengthening national police structures in Chad
Strengthening the capacities of the police in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Strengthening the capacity of the police in South Sudan
Strengthening the capacity of the police in Burundi
Strengthening the capacities of the police in Côte d’Ivoire
Strengthening the police component of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASFCOM)
Strengthening the police component of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)