15 April 2008
CAR’s security sector reform seminar concluded its second session on Tuesday, completing presentations on the state of the country’s security and justice services and breaking into working groups focused on initial reform proposals. After summarizing the country’s internal and external security threats, as well as popular expectations, working groups presented early reform ideas and proposed implementation timelines. This work will continue into the seminar’s third day, which will also begin integrating cross-cutting themes, such as gender, into each sector’s reform agenda.

Presentations and speeches on reform proposals will be finalized during Wednesday’s session and will be available for download in the post on the seminar’s third day. Presentations on the current state of the justice and penitentiary systems, as well as external and internal threats to CAR security, are below.

Justice and Penitentiary Administration
Following yesterday’s remarks, this presentation reviews the need to make the justice system fully accessible to the population, as well as to build a penitentiary system that focuses on social rehabilitation. Specific needs of both sectors are outlined.
Download presentation (in French)

External and Internal Security Threats
External threats to CAR security are identified as originating chiefly in foreign rebel infiltration of CAR territory, as well as possible drug smuggling and arms proliferation. Internal threats are mainly cited as coming from banditry, internal rebellions and institutional dysfunction.
Download presentation (in French)