How has security sector reform (SSR) progressed since the Rose Revolution? Georgia has been undergoing almost continual changes in its political system, which has effectively hindered the establishment of a consolidated security sector. The situation is characterised by fragmented and deeply under-funded power agencies, subjective forms of control over them, weak civilian oversight, intense corruption, no legitimacy in society at large, and the absence of a concept of overall reform. SSR in Georgia is in need of a reform.
After the downfall of Shevardnadze’s authoritarian regime, there have been definite changes in how security is perceived. Despite positive developments, Georgia still has to cope with its heritage. This includes insidious corruption which has hindered the development of democratic governance in every political endeavour, notably in the security sector. National security, including the reform of the security sector, must become a transparent issue, discussed and promoted publicly.
Georgia faces major challenges and obstacles:
- The most detrimental elements which prevent a continuous transition to democracy are clientelism and widespread corruption.
- The lack of a national security strategy and a precise concept for SSR in Georgia is probably the most fundamental obstacle to any effective reform.
- Civil society is still ill developed and only very marginally involved in democratisation and reform processes.
- Civil-society building, a task which has been taken up by several NGO’s, suffers from a lack of cooperation, coordination and continuity within NGO involvement
- It is not a lack of expertise or experience but the absence of political will which prevents the implementation of a national security strategy
- Misuse of international assistance and a lack of coordination in those programmes are an essential draw-back in view of a reform of the Georgian security sector.
The new government should:
- move away from reliance on external support to drive reform; and
- clarify for internal and external audiences its vision of Georgia’s future, its interpretation of the main security threats and how to respond to these, in a publicly debated Security Concept.
The international community should:
- check and balance the policy directions taken by the new government in order to retain a focus on reform and the main priority of strengthening the institutions of state;
- rethink the concept of security sector governance to include those elements that are beyond Tbilisi’s control – in Abkhazia, Adjaria and South Ossetia;
- direct assistance to reinforce its support of a reform of the police and internal security forces; and
- coordinate their actions amongst themselves in assisting the Georgian security sector in order to achieve a better synergy of effort.
The book was published in 2005 with materials mainly from 2004.
