What are the obstacles faced by new democracies in implementing security sector reform (SSR)? This Berghof Research Centre for Constructive Conflict Management report identifies a number of obstacles drawing on the process of transforming the armed forces in post-apartheid South Africa. Obstacles to SSR in emerging democracies are many and varied. Moreover, the higher the level of instability and violence in the national or regional arenas the less likely it is that reforms with an anti-militarist orientation will be introduced.
The challenge of SSR in new democracies is fundamental for two reasons: military, police and intelligence organisations may be required to play a key role in protecting the new political dispensation and the rights of citizens, but they can also subvert those rights and undermine or destroy the democratic project. Obstacles are focused upon because donors frequently underestimate the complexities and long-term nature of SSR in developing countries. They consequently tend to attribute a lack of reform to a failure of political will when other considerations may equally be at play.
The various problems faced by emerging democracies can be grouped in the following overlapping categories:
- The problem of complexity – SSR in new democracies can be immensely complex because of the number of policies that have to be transformed, the fact that these policies may have to be changed more or less simultaneously, and the radical nature of the transformation agenda in the light of security culture under authoritarian rule.
- The problem of expertise – The problem of complexity is likely to be compounded by a lack of organisational, managerial, planning, financial and policy expertise in the new government.
- The problem of capacity – Efficiency and effectiveness in fulfilling the functions of the state are qualities that are missing in many developing countries, which lack the skills, expertise, infrastructure and resources to meet the welfare and security needs of citizens.
- The problem of resistance to change – Members of the security services may oppose reforms for a host of ideological and political reasons.
- The problem of insecurity – To a great extent, militarisation in developing countries is a product of structural conditions that constitute a crisis for human security and/or the stability of the state. The prospect of disarmament in such circumstances is limited.
Because of the complexities outlined above, there are no ‘quick fix’ solutions to the problem of SSR in new democracies.
- The international community should avoid the assumption that Northern models can be replicated easily or, indeed, that these models are appropriate in every respect to societies elsewhere.
- The difficulties and obstacles related to formulating and implementing new policy on security and defence are substantial. Success is unlikely to be attained if the reforms are not shaped and embraced by the new government, civil society and the security institutions themselves.
- The agenda for democracy and disarmament, promoted by countries of the North, is undermined by the failure of these countries to adhere to their own values.
- The endless flow of arms from the North to the South is not the primary cause of civil wars but it enables the combatants to sustain hostilities and inflict massive damage on civilian populations. Reform of security policy is as much a challenge in the North as in the South.
