As part of its Programme for Dialogue on Security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SIPODI), the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) organized a mobile seminar on the theme: "Together for safe and democratic elections: Security dialogue ahead of the vote."
The seminar brought together security forces, local authorities, members of parliament, and civil society organizations. Its objective: to identify concrete, context-appropriate mechanisms to prevent election-related tensions and violence, especially during sensitive electoral periods.
📌 A space for dialogue in the service of electoral peace
Elections can be flashpoints for unrest and instability. This seminar created an inclusive platform for exchange, allowing participants to:
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Share on-the-ground experiences,
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Identify specific security-related challenges,
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Co-develop sustainable prevention strategies.
🛠️ Key recommendations emerging from the discussions
1. Strengthening legal and institutional frameworks
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Foster collaboration between security forces and political actors.
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Establish a parliamentary early-warning cell for electoral security.
2. Awareness-raising and training of local actors
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Launch non-violence campaigns, especially targeting youth.
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Train security forces in citizen rights and election conflict management.
3. Early warning mechanisms
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Strengthen community-based monitoring systems to detect early signs of unrest.
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Develop a citizen reporting platform for electoral incidents.
4. Promotion of dialogue and mediation
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Organize multi-stakeholder forums bringing together candidates, authorities, and civil society.
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Promote intercommunity meetings to reduce localized tensions.
5. Logistical and organizational support
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Ensure efficient deployment of security forces during elections.
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Mobilize technical and financial resources to implement prevention strategies.
This seminar is part of SIPODI’s long-term effort to strengthen democratic resilience and social cohesion during electoral processes, through a locally anchored, inclusive, and action-oriented dialogue.
