Challenges to Security Challenges to Security Sector ReformSector Reform

Roland FriedrichRoland Friedrich

DCAF ConsultantDCAF Consultant

30 July 2005

What means Security Governance?What means Security Governance?

Security governance: Organisation and Security governance: Organisation and management of the security sectormanagement of the security sector

Security sector: All bodies responsible Security sector: All bodies responsible for the protection of the state and its for the protection of the state and its constituent communitiesconstituent communities

Security Sector includes:Security Sector includes:

The armed forces, police and The armed forces, police and intelligence agenciesintelligence agencies

The institutions that formulate, The institutions that formulate, implement and oversee security policy: implement and oversee security policy: legislative, executive and judiciarylegislative, executive and judiciary

What means SSR?What means SSR?

Bringing security governance in line with Bringing security governance in line with democratic standardsdemocratic standards

There are five components:There are five components:

1. A 1. A cconstitutional and legal frameworkonstitutional and legal framework, which , which constitutes the separation of powers between constitutes the separation of powers between government, parliaments and justice courts and government, parliaments and justice courts and clearly defines the tasks of the security sectorclearly defines the tasks of the security sector

2. 2. Civilian control and managementCivilian control and management of the of the security sector by the government, with a security sector by the government, with a clear division of responsibility between clear division of responsibility between civilians and the militarycivilians and the military

3. 3. Parliamentary control and oversightParliamentary control and oversight of of the security sector (including powers such the security sector (including powers such as approval of security budgets, security-as approval of security budgets, security-related laws, security strategy and related laws, security strategy and planning, weapons procurement, and planning, weapons procurement, and inquiries and investigations)inquiries and investigations)

4. 4. Judicial controlJudicial control in the sense that the in the sense that the security sector is subject to the civilian security sector is subject to the civilian justice systemjustice system

5. 5. ‘Public control’‘Public control’ of the security sector of the security sector through a security community that through a security community that represents civil society, including political represents civil society, including political parties, NGOs, independent media and parties, NGOs, independent media and think tanksthink tanks

What are the challenges to SSR?What are the challenges to SSR?

Developing the adequate SSR strategyDeveloping the adequate SSR strategy::

No single model: SSR differs from country No single model: SSR differs from country

to countryto country Special conditions of each country heavily Special conditions of each country heavily

influence the progress of SSRinfluence the progress of SSR If the specific political, economic and If the specific political, economic and

social context is not taken into account, social context is not taken into account, reform is likely to failreform is likely to fail

Ownership and inclusivenessOwnership and inclusiveness::

SSR means changing very powerful SSR means changing very powerful institutions: Are key security actors willing institutions: Are key security actors willing to reform?to reform?

SSR should be built upon the broadest SSR should be built upon the broadest possible consensus among local actors: possible consensus among local actors: Are all relevant actors included in the Are all relevant actors included in the process?process?

ComprehensivenessComprehensiveness::

Reform efforts should be directed at all Reform efforts should be directed at all components of the security sector: components of the security sector:

Armed forces, police, intelligenceArmed forces, police, intelligence Executive Executive Legislature Legislature Judiciary and penal system Judiciary and penal system Civil societyCivil society

Sequencing of SSR:Sequencing of SSR:

SSR is much more process than end-pointSSR is much more process than end-point

Process with 4 operational dimensions: Process with 4 operational dimensions: Strengthening democratic controlStrengthening democratic control Professionalisation of security forces Professionalisation of security forces Demilitarisation and peace-building Demilitarisation and peace-building Strengthening rule of law Strengthening rule of law

How will these elements be sequenced, How will these elements be sequenced, linked and balanced? linked and balanced?

Sustainability: Sustainability:

SSR is more than the institutionalisation of SSR is more than the institutionalisation of laws and practices: It is a social process laws and practices: It is a social process that may take a long and complex paththat may take a long and complex path

Like democracy itself, SSR is an ongoing Like democracy itself, SSR is an ongoing process in which no society will ever process in which no society will ever achieve perfectionachieve perfection