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the role of interim government and the construction of democratic institutions are
also regarded critical.
The most frequently employed approach of governance reform has been to
impose governmental structures after the end of conflict that would provide fair
representation to all ethnic groups. That is usually done through federal solutions
which includes power sharing mechanisms. Such mechanisms also provide defense
of the vital interests with high degree of communal autonomy, veto powers and
proportional represenatation.
2.4.2 Security Sector Reform
Functioning security sector provides the cornerstone for a stable and safe postconflict
situation. However, the “intra-state character of most conflicts in the last
decade has often led to the virtual collapse of indigenous security structures.” 48
While the government need to retake as much control over security as possible prior
to the implementation of peace-building agenda, in many cases unable to do so. In
post-conflict environment crime, violence and illegal actions like looting increase,
and “local security structures are often inadequate, inappropriate or simply nonexistent”
in the absence of rule of law to cope with the security challenges. 49
Therefore, international community has to deal with two challenging problems: the
short-term need to fill the security gap left by non-functioning local institutions, and
the long term goal of re-creating the local security sector. 50
Security sector involves military and police forces, judicial structures and
mechanisms for civilian control of the above institutions. In this respect, disarming,
demobilizing and reintegrating ex-combatants into civilian life are integral
components of peace-building. 51 Although demilitarization of heavily armed
societies is not very easy, it is essential since reconstruction can not be successfully
materialized with the fear of causalities. Thus, neutralization and disengagement of
48 Sheila Coutts, Kelvin Ong, ‘Managing Security Challenges in Post-Conflict Peace-building’,
International Peace Academy Workshop Report, 22-23 June 2001, http://www.ipacademy.org, p. 2.
49 Ibid., p. 2 .
50 Ibid., p. 2.
51
Karin Von Hippel, ‘Democracy by Force-A Renewed Commitment to Nation Building’,
Washington Quarterly, vol. 23, issue 1, Winter 2000, p. 103.
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