Document Library

Donor Perspective on Security Sector Reform as a Governance Issue

Author: Evans R
Date: 2002
Size: 12 pages (55 KB)

Access full text: available online

Summary

Much has been written in recent years about the role of bilateral and multilateral development agencies in security sector reform. Yet, there are some agencies that still hesitate on the brink, unsure about the legality of assistance to reform in this sector.

This paper, prepared for the Fifth International Security Forum, provides a perspective from recent experience of how donors engage in security sector governance work. It contains an overview of the content and process of donor engagement in security sector reform and the linkage to broader governance issues. It addresses the need for a co-ordinated approach within government amongst stakeholders’ ministries and departments and the challenges involved in making this a reality. The paper discusses the equally important issue of effective co-ordination in the wider development community. It draws primarily on UK experience in Africa and Asia and UK government experience of developing joined up approaches and inter-ministry co-ordination mechanisms. It uses the examples of the UK Defence Advisory Team’s successful experiences in Sierra Leone, Uganda, Indonesia and Afghanistan to offer insights into the process.

The nature and scope of donor involvement in security sector reform is still evolving. However, the paper suggests that it is time for the donor community to move on from the debate on the ‘why’ and the ‘what’ to the practical application of the ‘how’ and the ‘who’. Other conclusions from the paper are that:

Addressing the absence of internal security is the priority for most people in developing countries, not training an army to defend its borders
Better analysis contributing to any overarching development model or strategy is more likely to identify the need to address governance issues within the security sector and beyond
Most western models and experiences concerning security sector reform are inappropriate in developing country conditions
Fostering a partnership approach with government and key change agents is the first priority.

Whilst recognising that there is more to security sector reform than addressing concerns about levels of defence and expenditure, donors are yet to share a common language for understanding the need, nature and scope of their engagement. To achieve this, development organisations should:

Support the reform of the security sector which would not only work with the military, but would also reduce the number of men under arms, restore the rule of law, provide police training, establish a functioning judiciary and address weaknesses in the wider governance environment
Promote better analysis concerning the problems faced in addressing countries’ security needs
Improve the in-country management of security sector reform programmes and strengthen some in-country teams by appointing governance advisers to lead, provide a mentor role and co-ordinate broader reform programmes
Promote widespread ownership and participation amongst key stakeholders with a view to the long-term sustainability of security sector reform programmes.

Access full text: available online

Source: Evans R. 2002, 'Donor Perspective on Security Sector Reform as a Governance Issue' paper prepared for The 5th International Security Forum in Zurich, October.
Author: Roderick Evans , Revans.hq@defenceacademy.mod.uk
Department for International Development (DFID), http://www.dfid.gov.uk
Organisation: Department for International Development (DFID), http://www.dfid.gov.uk