promoting security sector reform in fragile states - GFN-SSR

Preface
Bilateral and multilateral agencies
have provided economic and
technical assistance for improving
security, especially in postconflict
societies. This assistance usually
focuses on urgent problems, such as
the demobilization and reintegration
of ex-combatants and reform of the
police. However, there is a growing
awareness among security sector experts
that a limited focus on improving law
and order is not enough; fundamental
reforms may be required. Such
reforms include structural changes in
security policies, restructuring security
sector organizations to improve their
functioning, and ensuring that civilian
authorities have the capacity to manage
and oversee security organizations.
This paper provides a succinct analysis
of the elements of security sector reform
as well as lessons drawn from ongoing
work. The paper also examines major
factors affecting USAID’s emerging
approach to security sector reform. I am
confident it will stimulate further discussion
on this vital subject, both within
and outside USAID.
I am grateful to Nicole Ball for writing
this paper. I am also grateful
to the members of USAID’s working
group on security sector reforms
for their comments and suggestions
on an earlier draft. I thank Gary
Vaughan for his thoughtful suggestions,
Cindy Arciaga of Development
Information Services Project for
making contract arrangements, and
Hilary Russell of International Business
Initiatives for her able editing.
Krishna Kumar
Senior Social Scientist
PROMOTING SECURITY SECTOR REFORM IN FRAGILE STATES
v