The security environment is the first dimension of the Citizen Barometer of Security. This dimension includes perceptions of incivility and threats, as well as feelings of insecurity. It examines the main challenges and threats within neighbourhoods.
In Senegal, the security environment is perceived as poor by the populations of the four localities studied in 2019 (Dakar, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor, and Tambacounda). Moreover, the populations identified incivility and delinquency as the major threats affecting the neighbourhoods.
The security environment also provides insights into the quality of life in the neighbourhoods. The sense of security, for example, is crucial in determining how residents relate to their immediate environment. This sense of security or insecurity is the result of several factors, including relationships with neighbours and access to basic social services (water, electricity, education, health, etc.).
In The Gambia, the Citizen Security Index (CSI) related to the security environment indicates a poor security situation (4.39). According to the populations of Banjul, Serrekunda, and Bwiam, organized crime is the majorthreat in the neighbourhoods, followed by political and electoral violence and other forms of political radicalization.
As mentioned in previous notes, the security environment is also influenced by various variables, such as organized crime, political and religious violence, and other risks that populations are exposed to. The exposure to these types of threats significantly impacts their sense of security or insecurity.
In Guinea-Bissau, we surveyed the populations of Bissau and Farim. The Citizen Security Index related to the security environment is concerning, with a score of 1.97. This situation is largely due to several factors that contribute to insecurity, which the populations have considered as the main dangers threatening them. Specifically, Bissau-Guineans perceive the following as the major threats: (1) health risks and pollution (28 %), (2) lack of drinking water(23 %), (3) organized crime (13 %) et (4) food shortage (12 %).
The security environment is negatively perceived in Bamako. The residents feel strongly insecure, as reflected by this indicator. One factor, in particular, explains this situation: the sense of security. This parameter is influenced by the echoes of the war in the north of the country, which exacerbates the perception of insecurity. Indeed, media coverage of the conflict and the public’s interest in it contribute to bringing it closer to, and even blurring, geographical borders.
For the major threats, the residents of Bamako have identified the following in order: Incivility and delinquency, organized crime, and food shortage.
The findings of our surveys conducted between 2019 and 2023 in five countries of Senegambia (Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau) and the Sahel (Niger and Mali) revealed several trends, including those concerning the security environment of the neighbourhoods. This dimension of human security focuses on five main aspects such as: the main difficulties, the majorthreats, the quality of life, the cohesion among residents, and the sense of security. The security environment highlights both the level of neighbourhoodinfrastructure and the nature of human relations between neighbours. It is a determining indicator to measure the security potential of a locality. The poorer the neighbourhood, the more likely it is to be vulnerable to insecurity. We can thus observe the relationship between the living conditions of the populations and their level of exposure to potential dangers stemming from this environment.
In the context of the Citizen Barometer of Security surveys, the five countries studied have on average a mediocre security environment index (2.39 on a scale of -10 to 10). However, countries like The Gambia and Niger have higher scores than the others, indicating a more pronounced sense of security.
The major threats reported by the populations of these two regions are relatedto incivility and delinquency. In Senegambia, these are followed by health risks, pollution, and organized crime. In the Sahel, they are followed by organized crime and lack of drinking water.
To calculate the Citizen Security Index (CSI), the Barometer relies on data collected at the neighbourhood level and aggregated by locality. We analysedresponses from 2,000 Senegambians and Sahelians across 12localities, regarding theft incidents they experienced in the past 12 months.
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