West Africa presents a unique combination of some of the poorest states on the continent, with the widespread security challenges of recurring violent conflict and long-standing authoritarian regimes. Is it possible to assess the state of the security sector across the region? What are the obstacles to security sector reform (SSR)? This book, published by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), maps SSR across West Africa, examines the broad range and diversity of challenges in sixteen country case studies, and provides entry points for SSR processes.
An unreformed security sector represents a significant obstacle to sustainable development, democracy and peace. The sector is generally divided into five main groups of actors, comprising those legally mandated to use force, justice and law enforcement, civil management, non-statutory security organisations (for example guerrilla armies) and non-statutory civil organisations (such as the media, trade unions).
The wide variation in SSR processes range from early approaches, where reform was aimed at reducing defence expenditures in favour of social sectors, to a far-reaching transformative agenda. ‘Transformation’ sought to root out institutional abuse and insecurity, and systematically align security organisations within democratic governance. Protecting individuals, not the regime, is at the heart of such security considerations.
As yet there is no systematic and in-depth analysis of security governance in the region; the concept remains largely in the realm of principle – agreed in policy but difficult to implement in practice. Mapping the terrain highlights some practical challenges for reform, and provides both positive and negative examples at local, national, regional and international levels:
- Currently, the possibilities for reform exist only in a small number of West African states.
- Moving from rigid authoritarian systems to more transparent, participatory governance is not always smooth or peaceful, nor is transformation necessarily uniform across the region.
- Despite the extreme challenges, post-conflict environments have sometimes provided the best opportunities for comprehensive SSR in West Africa.
- African participation in the SSR dialogue is limited, and local ownership poor.
- The Anglo-Saxon backdrop to SSR results in significant challenges to its implementation in the francophone and lusophone parts of the region, despite significant contributions from these areas.
Ensuring reform processes are grounded within specific contexts requires a clear understanding of the actors and mechanisms involved in security sector governance, and clearly delineated roles and duties. SSR policy in West Africa should focus on:
- A holistic approach to security sector governance. A key focus of reform efforts involves managing reform processes within a framework of democratic control and oversight, involving a broad range of actors at national, regional and local levels.
- A transformative SSR agenda. Building trust between government, the security sector and society requires drastic behavioural change and a rights-based approach, favouring professionalisation and eschewing political, ethnic or other bias.
- A national vision of security. A security sector configured to protect a regime rather than human security will resist reform. Successful participative processes to develop a national security strategy require enhanced parliament to guard against the executive’s monopolisation of security.
- Recognising the regional dimensions of SSR. External actors and donors should use sub-regional entry points where political will is lacking at a national level.
- Calibrating external support and implementing the lessons already learnt within SSR, and fostering local ownership, beyond national ‘elites’ within government.
