CISSA HISTORY

History

CISSA was established by Heads of the Intelligence & Security Services of Africa due to the growing awareness of the importance & practical value of cooperative and constructive multilateralism.

It was established on 26 August 2004 in Abuja, Nigeria by Heads of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa. CISSA’s raison d’etre is to assist the African Union and all its institutions to effectively address the seemingly intractable security challenges confronting Africa. It was also conceived as a mechanism of dialogue, study, analysis, consulting, concerting, and adopting common strategies towards common security challenges among Intelligence and Security Organisations of Africa.

Endorsement by AU

During January 2005 AU Mid-Term Assembly endorsed the establishment of CISSA through Decision 62 and directed that it should collaborate with the African Union and all its structures through an Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC).  The ISC, which is located in the Office of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, is the mode of collaboration with the African Union and all its structures.

Vision

To be the primary provider of intelligence to the policy-making organs of the African Union, thereby strengthening its capacity to deepen and preserve stability in Africa.

Mission

To coordinate intelligence as well as promote cooperation, confidence-building measures and capacity building among intelligence and security services of Africa.

Objectives

The objectives of the CISSA shall be to:

  • Provide leadership with regard to intelligence and security matters in furtherance of peace, security, and stability in Africa;
  • Facilitate cooperation and interaction amongst Intelligence Services and the exchange of intelligence and coordination of strategies on all common security threats;
  • Develop and consolidate confidence-building measures among intelligence and security services;
  • Provide strategic intelligence to the AUC Chairperson and support the PSC;
  • Serve as a platform for cooperation with similar organizations to CISSA outside Africa;
  • Serve as a back channel of communication among Members during crisis and other circumstances that may arise.
  • Serve as a platform for members to assist each other with capacity-building needs; and
  • Provide a forum to carry out collaborative research on African peace and security issues.

Functions

CISSA shall perform the following functions:

  • Strategic intelligence analysis on all threats to peace and security on the continent;
  • Collection/acquisition, processing, analysis and transmission of intelligence through the Secretariat;
  • Facilitate capacity-building interventions;
  • Harmonize approaches to common security threats;
  • Coordinate strategies to provide advice on the appropriate course of action on matters within its mandate;
  • Promote the development of an African endogenous intelligence and security doctrine;
  • Any other function as may be assigned by the CISSA Conference.

Important Dates