14 April 2015 - A workshop organized by UNIOGBIS/ROLSI on a five-year Strategic Plan for the Police and Security Institutions in Guinea-Bissau ended yesterday, highlighting full national ownership for its implementation.

From 7 to 13 April, this workshop brought together representatives at senior level from the Police and internal Security Institutions of Guinea-Bissau as well as international partners such as the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) to brainstorm on the methodology and the chronogram for the development of a Strategic Plan for internal security in Guinea-Bissau, 2015-2020.

Speaking at the end of the meeting, the Head of UNIOGBIS Rule of Law and Security Institutions (ROLSI), Antero Lopes, stressed: "It is a review of previous plans. Between now and July, these representatives will produce a draft for the appreciation of their Ministers and Police and internal Security Chiefs, and further consultation with the different State institutions and representatives of the population of Guinea-Bissau in all the country."

Participants will look into lessons learnt and best practices from other policing systems in the region and beyond, particularly where the UN has been supporting similar processes, including in Timor-Leste, Haiti, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire and countries with which Guinea-Bissau has historical ties. "So they are now looking at what is a sustainable option for Guinea-Bissau bearing in mind the strategies that they already have approved, and that what is most important in this process is to ensure national ownership was well as international partners' support", Antero Lopes explained.

The group of twelve participants found the workshop very interesting. Adiles Pereira from the National Guard was enthusiastic: "The reflection we have engaged in for the past five days was very important as we have reached some conclusions and filled some gaps, this will help us to move forward on security issues. I have learnt a lot and exchanging experiences was very beneficial notably with this expert who came from Pakistan".

In its last 2203 Resolution (February 2015) on Guinea-Bissau, the Security Council requested UNIOGBIS to provide strategic and technical advice and support to national authorities and relevant stakeholders, including in coordination with ECOWAS/ECOMIB and other international partners, in implementing the national security sector reform and rule of law strategies, as well as developing civilian and military justice systems that are compliant with international standards.