From 30 July to 2 August, UNOAU supported and participated in a capacity-building workshop for Malian authorities in the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) of Security Sector Reform (SSR) processes, organized in Ségou, Mali.

The workshop was organized by the AU Commission, through MISAHEL, with the support of national experts as well as UNOAU and the UN Standing Capacity for SSR and Governance based in Brindisi, Italy. The workshop was attended by about 20 participants representing various government departments.

The ad interim Head of MISAHEL, Fulgence Zeneth, and the representative of the National SSR Commission, Mahamadou Abdoul Aziz, opened the workshop, highlighting the political will of the Malian authorities as well as the opportunity offered by the workshop to review the action plan of the 2022-2024 National SSR Strategy. During the workshop the SSR Advisor to the President of the Central African Republic (CAR), Bruno Ouayolo, shared CAR experience on the M&E SSR process.

The current 2022-2024 National SSR Strategy of Mali was adopted by the Council of Ministers in February 2022. After two years of implementation, Mali intends to evaluate its effectiveness and assess the gaps to be addressed. In this context, the National SSR Commission requested MISAHEL to provide technical and financial support to build the capacities of national SSR practitioners in M&E of SSR processes, in line with the AU Policy Framework on SSR, and the subsequent AU Operational Guidance Note on SSR and M&E.

In this context, the AU aided Mali in institutionalizing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanisms rooted in good governance, the rule of law, and aligned with the AU Policy Framework on SSR, as well as humanitarian and human rights laws. The workshop enabled participants to develop and implement a suitable framework, mechanisms, and indicators for M&E of SSR processes. It also supported them in regularly tracking, assessing, and evaluating SSR processes to measure progress, cost-effectiveness, compliance with terms of reference, and achievement of expected results. Additionally, the workshop emphasized the importance of taking corrective measures when necessary and assessing the overall impact of the strategy.