The need for Security Sector Reform

SSR is Critical
Over the past decade, the security sector has emerged as a vital concern for national and international policy in conflict-affected societies. The concept of Security Sector Reform/SSR/ is influenced by the broader human security agenda. Meanwhile, the increasing focus of development agencies on security governance issues created the space within which a strategic emphasis on SSR began to emerge.There is a pressing need for democratizing security institutions in Africa.

While there is a general recognition that peace cannot be sustained without a more effective and accountable state security system, a serious focus and a comprehensive strategy for SSR has thus far not been developed. Africa is grappling with several difficult security challenges. It has been plagued with prolonged armed conflicts that have caused much devastation and loss of life. The most obvious legacy of these conflicts is the militarization of governance. Not only are there direct effects, but equally critical are the ancillary impact which create other problems such as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, food insecurity, environmental degradation, the absence of rule of law and human rights violations. The complexity of this problem is compounded by the militarization of whole communities mainly along national borders. This is glaringly evident in most of the conflict systems across Africa such as the Mano River in West Africa, the Central African region and the IGAD sub-region. This has also resulted in the political cultures of militarism, evolving a culture, which gave precedence to martial values and gave short shift to compromises, mercantilism, and civic values.

A close examination of the causes of insecurity and perpetuation of conflicts in Africa indicates the complex and multi-layered nature of the crisis that have unfolded. A major contributory factor to the outbreak and continuance of conflicts include militarization in all its dimensions, particularly the use of power by African governments. The continent is rife with repressive and abusive security forces which are bent on aggravating tension to violent conflict. These are the preconditions that turn disputes into violent conflicts. There is lack of security institutions consistent with democratic norms and supportive of human development goals.Any progress towards conflict resolution will largely depend on the democratic governance of security institutions in Africa. This makes the need for Security Sector Reform in the continent ever more pivotal. However, the approach of the international community to date indicates just how little has been learned about the significance of these processes.