Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Africa is generating appropriate global concern. How is it being implemented? Is it leading to development and good governance? Is it sustainable and does it safeguard democracy? This article, by African Law Publishing, Nigeria, analyses SSR in Africa. It offers a variety of definitions of SSR and the security sector. It notes successful cases of SSR in Africa and highlights countries where effective SSR is gravely needed. It advocates enshrining provisions on SSR in both constitutions and law.
SSR aims to develop a secure environment based on development, rule of law, good governance and local ownership of security actors. It is generally accepted that the security sector includes defence, law enforcement, corrections, intelligence services and institutions responsible for border management, customs and civil emergencies. Elements of the judicial sector are also included. Furthermore, the security sector includes actors that play a role in managing and overseeing the design and implementation of security, such as ministries, legislative bodies and civil society groups. Other non-State actors that could be considered part of the security sector include customary or informal authorities and private security services.
There are a number of positive examples of SSR in Africa.
- In South Africa, after apartheid, SSR has resulted in more egalitarian security forces.
- Botswana security sector after independence appear to be growing positively and gradually.
- Security forces in Kenya, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania have good records of non-interference in government but this needs consolidating through updated SSR.
- There are high expectations that Uganda will introduce sustainable SSR that will guarantee good governance.
There are a number of examples of African nations with dysfunctional or collapsed security institutions.
- Security forces in Cote d’Ivoire contributed to the nation’s current crisis. The UN is currently engaged in SSR, the success of which will be determined by how security forces handle the forthcoming election.
- The UN is leading international efforts in Somalia to ensure that a new national security institution emerges by August 2011, when the term of the Transitional Federal Government ends.
During the process of drafting new constitutions, citizens and international organisations should pressure authorities to ensure such documents contain standard provisions relating to the security sector.
- Such provisions should commit the security sector to be loyal to the lawful government of the day and prohibit certain activities that are not in the interests of the country, such as military coups.
- If introducing such constitutional enactments is not immediately feasible, lawmakers should introduce Acts of Parliament to the same effect.
- Involvement in certain international forums should be made conditional on governments introducing such measures.
- The breach of such provisions should lead to international sanctions, and current agreements between bodies such as the UN and EU and beneficiary countries should be standardised to such effect.
- African nations should develop a set of minimum international standards for security policies. This is preferable to standards being developed by NGOs or international organisations, as they are less likely to raise suspicion amongst other African leaders.
