As Africa continues to move away from military and dictatorial rule, also known as “the strong man syndrome,” electoral competition in the various African countries will continue to present serious challenges, including violence. Security forces are sometimes seen as fanning the discontent, yet a well-commanded and informed army can make a great difference in keeping the peace in inflamed post-election environments as was the case in Togo or Niger.
Please join IFES and Partners for Democratic Change for a conversation with Senegalese General Lamine Cissé on the positive role security forces can play in elections and the steps that can be taken to ensure the military acts constructively.
Featured Speakers
General Lamine Cissé, Senegalese Army General
Lamine Cissé is a Senegalese general officer who was Inspector General of the Senegalese armed forces, High Commander of the Senegalese army, Minister of the Interior responsible for the 2000 presidential elections in Senegal and Special Representative to the United Nations in West Africa (UNOWA). General Cissé was also Special Representative to the Secretary General of the United Nations for West Africa in 2007. He directed the UN office for Peace Consolidation in the Central African Republic (BONUCA) and he is currently coordinating the Security Sector Reform in Guinea. General Cissé has devoted his entire career to the consolidation of peace, stability and democratic values in Africa and in his country. He is a renowned international expert reputed for his integrity in matters pertaining to elections, security and military reform.
Almami Cyllah, IFES Regional Director for Africa
Almami Cyllah has more than 20 years experience in conflict resolution, political affairs and democracy development. From 1994 to 1996, he assumed the position of Election Commissioner with the Interim National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sierra Leone. During his tenure, he ensured free and fair elections and promoted democratic tolerance without fear, coercion, favor, intimidation or reprisals. Voting resulted in the country’s most successful multi-party elections. As former IFES Chief of Party in Liberia, he provided technical assistance to the National Election Commission (NEC) at every stage of the electoral process. Cyllah has also previously worked as IFES’ Chief of Party in Haiti. He has field experience in a multitude of sub-Saharan countries and has worked in Washington, D.C., as Director of African Affairs for Amnesty International. Since 2009, Mr. Almami Cyllah serves as the Africa Regional Director at IFES Washington where he oversees IFES electoral assistance activities in 23 sub-Saharan countries.
Elizabeth Côté, IFES Country Director, Guinea
Elizabeth Côté has developed and led a successful civil society and elections strengthening program in Guinea. Her communication and analytical skills enabled her to initiate several national dialogues bringing together all sectors of Guinean society to work together toward developing engaged and responsible citizenship and reinforce national unity. In 2009, Côté also initiated a study on military reform which helped to trigger the imortant reform underway. Prior to working in Guinea, Côté managed an IFES program in Côte d’Ivoire and coordinated a women’s rights program in Mali for the Canadian NGO CECI. Côté has worked closely with civil society organizations and government representatives to lobby for legislative reforms and promote women's participation in the electoral process. In an effort to empower citizens at a grassroots level, she initiated several programs that included training media, parliamentarians, security forces, women and youth groups.
To learn more about this event, please click here or email Laura Osio, press officer, at losio@ifes.org.