Research Article
Participatory Forest Management in Burkina Faso: Perceptions of Local Populations in the Cassou Managed Forest
Birba Sibiri*
,
Compaoré Eveline,
Sow Jacqueline,
Toé Patrice,
Ouedraogo Souleymane
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, August 2024
Pages:
66-79
Received:
24 May 2024
Accepted:
13 June 2024
Published:
23 July 2024
Abstract: In recent decades, the participation of local populations has become an imperative and a solution in forest management. Mystified and idealized, the participatory approach is seen as the key to sustainable management of this resource. This approach was adopted in Burkina Faso in the mid-1980s, leading to the establishment of the Forest Management Sites (FMS or CAF in french), administrative and technical structures for sustainable forest management involving local populations. However, the area of managed forests has continued to decline at an alarming rate. In such a context, we are tempted to ask whether there really is participation in systems described as participatory forest management, and if the populations have appropriated the approach. This study, carried out among the local populations of Cassou forest management site, attempts to answer these questions. Its aim was to gather local people's perceptions on their involvement in the forest management. To achieve the study's objective, eight (8) focus groups with men and women were organized during July and August 2022 in the villages of Cassou, Vrassan, Kou and Dao. The study analyzed local people's perceptions of the following scales of participation: “consultation, involvement, information sharing, collaboration, decision-making and sharing of economic benefits”. The data analysis using Nvivo 21 software showed that local people felt 100% involved only in sharing economic benefits, while the level of participation on the other scales was barely 20%. These results show the low level of participation of local people in the forests management. The decision-makers therefore need to work towards genuine involvement of local populations in the management of these areas, so that they see them as part of the community heritage to be defended. The socio-political situation in Burkina Faso today proves that this is all the more important given that, in addition to the environmental stakes, forests represent a national security issue.
Abstract: In recent decades, the participation of local populations has become an imperative and a solution in forest management. Mystified and idealized, the participatory approach is seen as the key to sustainable management of this resource. This approach was adopted in Burkina Faso in the mid-1980s, leading to the establishment of the Forest Management S...
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Research Article
Critical Analysis of Status of Counter-Terrorism Strategies in Manda, Lamu County, Kenya: A Multifaceted Examination of HUMINT and SIGINT
Kennedy Obumba Ogutu*,
Fredrick Okeyo Nyagwara
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, August 2024
Pages:
80-90
Received:
10 June 2024
Accepted:
3 July 2024
Published:
23 July 2024
Abstract: This paper presents a critical analysis of counter-terrorism strategies in Kenya, with a specific focus on the multifaceted examination of Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). The study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design integrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a thorough understanding of Kenya's efforts to combat terrorism. The target population of this study encompassed participants involved in counter-terrorism activities in Kenya. This included officers in security agencies such as the National Intelligence Service and the Kenya Defense Forces which formed our target population. A total of 93 officers participated. The respondents were drawn through purposive sampling. By addressing multiple levels of involvement, the paper provides a holistic view of counter-terrorism strategies and their impact. Quantitative data was collected through surveys administered to a representative sample of security personnel in the NIS and KDF. Qualitative data on the other hand was collected through interviews. Semi-structured interviews were done with key informants, such as heads of the National Intelligence Service and Kenya Defense Forces helped capture the nuanced perspectives on HUMINT and SIGINT. STATA and Statistical Package for Social Scences (SPSS) Software were used to analyze quantitative data from the survey. The statistical significance between the average expectations and average perceptions in both security agencies was analyzed using two-sample t-tests. Additionally, the significance of the gaps between the agencies was assessed with Hotelling’s T-squared test at a 5% significance level. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were also used to determine the strength and direction of the relationship between the independent variable (s) and the dependent variable. The study generally found that the indicators of the HUMINT strategy were effective in countering terrorism except for source penetration. Further, the study determined that all indicators of SIGINT strategy were ineffective in countering terrorism except for interception of communication and timely warnings.
Abstract: This paper presents a critical analysis of counter-terrorism strategies in Kenya, with a specific focus on the multifaceted examination of Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). The study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design integrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a thoro...
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