Sidney Leclercq

PEER REVIEW ARTICLES & WORK

OCDE (2023), « Making development co-operation reform happen : Lessons and tools », OECD Development Perspectives, n° 30, Éditions OCDE, Paris,

A rapidly changing world requires development co-operation providers to continuously adjust their institutional arrangements, policies, systems and processes. Yet, until today, existing tools for public policy reform had not been adapted for the sector. To fulfil this ambition, this paper draws from existing literature and interviews with stakeholders from countries that underwent a reform process during the last decade. It considers what a reform mindset entails for development co-operation providers, explores drivers for change and suggests questions decision makers might ask themselves as they work through the particular challenges at each stage of reform in their own context.

Leclercq S. & Matagne, G. (2020). With or without you. The Governance of (Local) Security and the Koglweogo phenomenon in Burkina Faso. Stability: International Journal of Security & Development. doi: 10.5334/sta.716.

In late 2014 and after more than two decades of a ‘semi-authoritarian’ regime, a popular insurrection in Burkina Faso led to the fall of Blaise Compaoré, president and leader of the ruling party. Due to — or parallel to — the political transition, factors of insecurity developed or were amplified, leading to a reconfiguration of the provision of security at two levels. At the central state level began a reflection around the governance model of security and the improvement of the practices of state security forces. At the local level, non-state security initiatives have multiplied. Drawing on insights from the study of local security provision and providers in the town of Tenkodogo, located in the Boulgou province (Centre-East region), and on its wider integration into the national framework and response to insecurity in Burkina Faso, this article raises and investigates three major questions. First, how is the governance of security (co)produced by (state and non-state) actors in a specific local configuration in Burkina Faso? Second, in what ways does this local experience compare with the state’s response to insecurity and with the nationwide expansion of the Koglweogo movement? Finally, what new perspectives can such reflection at the local and national levels offer to overcome the limits of current approaches regarding local security?

Leclercq, S. (2018). Between the Letter and the Spirit: International Statebuilding Subversion Tactics in Burundi. Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, volume 12, issue 2. doi:10.1080/17502977.2018.1461990, 159-184.

This article explores the appropriation dynamics of international statebuilding in Burundi, with a focus on the period from 2010 to 2015. If international statebuilding is most commonly presented (and debated) as practices leaning towards the achievement of a liberal democracy, this article argues that it can also be used towards undemocratic ends. The central claim is the following: the (most) recent authoritarian trend observed in Burundi’s main political force in government, the National Council for the Defence of Democracy – Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), did not only occur against international statebuilding but also through its appropriation and, more specifically, through self- reinforcing subversion tactics of appropriation. The article conceptualizes these tactics, examines the factors of emergence and conditions of existence, and presents the main expressions along three major editorial lines of international statebuilding: pluralist democracy, vibrant civil society and respect of the rule of law.

Leclercq, S. (2017). Injustice through Transitional Justice? Subversion Strategies in Burundi’s Peace Process and Postconflict Developments. International Journal of Transitional Justice, volume 11, issue 3. doi:10.1093/ijtj/ijx017, 525-544.

Embedded in Burundi’s peace process, the creation of judicial and nonjudicial transitional justice (TJ) mechanisms promised truth, reconciliation and justice to the victims of crimes committed during conflict. Yet, an analysis of the dynamics of the localization of TJ reveals multiple subversion techniques mobilized by national and international actors, leading to counterproductive outcomes. This article explores these dynamics and formulates two arguments. First, these subversion techniques are the consequence of a double phenomenon. On the one hand, the conjunction of the normalization of TJ in the postconflict toolbox and the nature of the internationalization of Burundi’s peace process has made the pursuit of TJ inevitable. On the other, the incompatibilities between TJ and divergent priorities, interests and agendas have made its realization equally impossible. Secondly, this subversion has led to a triple form of (transitional) injustice: a denial of justice through ‘temporary immunities’; an absence of justice through a negotiation process more oriented towards noninception than the creation of TJ mechanisms; and a risk of biased justice through the modalities and timing of the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Conclusions of this article call for a greater questioning of the TJ model promoted and deeper research into the localization dynamics, especially in post peace-settlement contexts.

BOOK CHAPTERS

Leclercq, S. & Matagne, G. (2019) “Belgian Development Cooperation and the Promotion of Good Governance. Testing the Power of Incentives in Central Africa”, in Vercauteren, P. & Aoun, E., The State between Interdependence and Power in the Contemporary World: A Reassessment, Peter Lang, Brussels, 185-212.

Leclercq, S. (2012). Terrorist labelling and European foreign policy making: a (new) weakening tool? In S. Reinke de Buitrago (Ed.), Portraying the Other in International Relations: Cases of Othering, Their Dynamics and the Potential for Transformation. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 107-123.

Leclercq, S. (2011). L'Image de l'Autre. L'Europe et le Hamas. In S. Boussois (Ed.), Le Moyen-Orient à l'aube du Printemps arabe : Sociétés sous tension. Paris: Editions du Cygne, 107-119. 

NON PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES & PAPERS

Leclercq, S. (2019). Élections en République Démocratique du Congo : victoire(s) politique(s), défaite démocratique, alternance symbolique ? Bulletin FrancoPaix, vol. 4 (5).

Leclercq, S., & Maira, M. (2012). Le bon, la brute et le taliban. Revue Nouvelle, February. 

Leclercq, S., Matagne, G., & Klimis, E. (2011). La Belgique face aux élections au Burundi, ou les risques 'une démocratie placébo. Revue Nouvelle, January.

Leclercq, S. (2009). La politique de l'Union européenne en matière de labellisation terroriste. Quel impact pour son actorness ? Le cas du Hamas. Les Cahiers Paix & Citoyenneté 1/2009. Pôle Bernheim d'Études sur la Paix et la Citoyenneté. 

POLICY TOOLS 

Vervisch, T., Leclercq, S., Matagne, G., Martini, J, & Klimis, E. (2018). Roadmap for a Comprehensive Approach for Belgian Development Policy. ACROPOLIS Governance For Development Green Paper, Brussels.

Leclercq, S., Matagne, G., Klimis, E., Vervisch, T. & Martini, J. (2017). Guidance on Fragility. ACROPOLIS Policy Tools, Brussels.

Leclercq, S. (2017). Concept Note on Incentives & Partner Commitments. ACROPOLIS Policy Tools, Brussels.

POLICY BRIEFS & NOTES (selection)

Leclercq, S., Matagne & G., Vervisch, T. (2018). The Refugee Crisis Response in Uganda: Policy Lessons. ACROPOLIS Case Study Report, Brussels.

Leclercq, S. & Bourlond, A. (2017). Opportunities and challenges of e-government tools in the digitalisation agenda. ACROPOLIS Policy Briefs, PB2016/002, Brussels.

Leclercq, S., Matagne, G. & Martini, J. (2016). Opportunities, Questions and Trade-offs of Local Civil Society Support by Belgium. ACROPOLIS Policy Briefs, PB2016/001, Brussels.

Leclercq, S. & Donse, L. (2015). Invoquer l’article 96 de l’accord de Cotonou face à la situation au Burundi : quelle opportunité ? ACROPOLIS Policy Briefs, PB2015/001, Brussels.

Leclercq, S. (2014). La justice transitionnelle et la reconstruction de l’Etat : défis et perspectives. GRAP Policy Briefs, No 17, Brussels.

Leclercq, S. & Martini, J. (2011). Un an après Busan, quelles implications pour la Belgique et les situations de fragilité ? GRAP Policy Briefs, No 10, Brussels.

CONTRIBUTIONS 

ULB-Cooperation (2019). Les interventions en contexte fragile. Dialogue entre théorie et pratique. Newsletter n°17. March-April-May. 

Conseil Consultatif sur la Cohérence des Politiques en faveur du Développement (2016). Paix et Sécurité. Avis consultatif. July.

Conseil Consultatif sur la Cohérence des Politiques en faveur du Développement (2016). La cohérence des politiques belges en faveur du développement en Afrique centrale. Avis consultatif. January.

Service public fédéral Affaires étrangères, Commerce extérieur et Coopération au Développement (2013). Note Stratégique pour les Situations de fragilité. April.