Can the concept of Security Sector Reform (SSR) be applied to Colombia? How should such reforms be implemented? This chapter outlines the limited SSR process in Colombia, which has concentrated on increasing the effectiveness of the state in fighting internal conflict, not necessarily on improving democratic governance. The need to extend and complete SSR in Colombia is indicated by: the absence of parliamentary oversight; limited space for civil society involvement; government and security actors’ limited acceptance of the rule of law; and a lack of provision for the treatment of non-statutory security forces.
Given its ongoing internal conflict, Colombia’s security policy aims for state control over the entire territory and an end to drug production and trafficking. But the military and police define their missions differently from security organisations in post-conflict societies. Indeed, it is not clear whether the concept of SSR is applicable in Colombia or how such reforms should be implemented. SSR has rarely been mentioned in the debate about security issues in the country.
In many post-conflict countries SSR has been considered an important instrument to assist in the reconstruction of the state. In Colombia, elements of SSR have been needed to enable the state to put an end to conflict.
SSR in Colombia has focused on military reform by modernisation, strengthening and material capacity-building. While ownership of these elements of SSR could be claimed by Colombia, implementation has been greatly influenced by the US.
- Core components of SSR have only been applied to a limited extent. Accountability to citizens and parliamentary oversight have not been implemented.
- Disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) of organised paramilitary groups became a political necessity. This allowed efforts to be concentrated on weakening guerrilla groups and gaining legitimacy for the armed forces.
- Civil society has been active as a voice against the consequences of internal conflict, human right violations, lack of justice and forced displacement. However, given the government’s conviction that it must end conflict militarily, civil society has not been a partner in the SSR process.
Limited SSR has been successful from the Colombian government’s perspective in terms of DDR and weakening guerrilla groups. However, recent discussions are focusing on SSR’s long-term effects on civil-military relations and the reform process necessary to diminish the size of the military and police.
- Specific national, historical and political conditions reduce options for restructuring the security sector to further democratic governance. Reforms in Colombia have been dominated by the need to increase effectiveness of the state in fighting internal conflict.
- DDR processes, reduced guerrilla activity, and wide domestic and international support for the Democratic Security Policy generated SSR opportunities that were not all taken.
- Given the rapidly changing nature of internal conflict in Colombia, a more classic model of SSR may become necessary. This might look more like the SSR applied in other post-conflict societies, including separation of functions and political responsibilities for military and police institutions.
