In April 2006, protests in Nepal led to the end of direct rule by the King and the ending of the so-called ‘People’s War’, fought by the Maoists against the state since 1996. This report, published by Saferworld, attempts to highlight the important issues surrounding policing in Nepal in this context. It identifies a sense of optimism following the end of the civil conflict, ...» more
Library
This e-library contains more than 4500 external publications on governance, social development, conflict and humanitarian issues. It includes academic and grey literature selected for its basis in good quality research and coverage of a range of perspectives. Policy-oriented summaries of each document are provided, plus links to the full text.
How to Reform a Traditional Buddhist Monarchy
How has the Kingdom of Bhutan managed to transform itself from a traditional Buddhist monarchy to a constitutional monarchy with a two party system? This Centre for Bhutan Studies paper examines reform in Bhutan during the reign of Jigme Singye Wangchuck (1974-2006), the Fourth King of Bhutan. It argues that the king was instrumental in driving the reform process to its current ...» more
Restoring Democracy in Bangladesh
What progress has the military installed caretaker government (CTG) in Bangladesh made towards holding credible elections? This report from the International Crisis Group examines developments in Bangladesh since the military coup in 2007. It argues that while the military’s desire to reform the political parties and tackle corruption is understandable, the CTG’s measures ...» more
Uganda and international small arms transfers: Implementing UN PoA commitments
How successful has Uganda been in implementing its commitments to the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN PoA)? This study from Saferworld suggests that the Government of Uganda (GoU) has improved its controls on the international transfer of small arms and light weapons (SALW). The GoU ...» more
Through the cross-hairs: A survey of changing attitudes towards small arms in Kosovo
How can the prevalence of weapons in Kosovo be reduced without further damaging fragile feelings of security among the population? This report by the Forum for Civic Initiatives and Saferworld looks at changing perceptions of civilian possession and prevalence of weapons. Because of sensitivities surrounding weapons possession, any initiatives to control or collect weapons ...» more
Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector in West Africa: Opportunities and Challenges
What challenges do West African parliaments face in carrying out effective oversight of the security sector? This publication from the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces examines challenges and opportunities for parliamentary oversight of the security sector in West Africa. It argues that, despite some progress, West African states have a long way to go to ...» more
Security Sector Reform in Africa: The Promise and the Practice of a New Donor Approach
The difference in donor approaches to security sector reform (SSR) and its actual practice in Africa is immense. This paper, published by the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, reviews SSR projects in Africa with significant input from external donors. The review reveals considerable variations of approach, while a comparative analysis of SSR in Sierra ...» more
Local Ownership and the Experience of SSR in Indonesia
Indonesia’s experience with security sector reform (SSR) has been driven largely by an insider-led process and marked by relatively limited direct external intervention. This paper, published by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, discusses major factors, achievements and challenges that have characterised Indonesia’s SSR. Given the local nature of SSR ...» more
Civil Military Relations in Indonesia and the Philippines: Will the Thai Coup Prove Contagious?
In the aftermath of the largely unexpected coup in Thailand in 2006, one question begs to be answered: will other Southeast Asian countries experience similar coups? This paper, published by Armed Forces and Society, investigates whether Indonesia and the Philippines may prove equally susceptible to military intervention in politics. Southeast Asian militaries are generally the ...» more
Managing Insecurity: Field Experiences of Security Sector Reform
What can be learned from field experiences of Security Sector Reform (SSR) to help improve future SSR implementation? This book is based on research by the International Peace Academy Security-Development Nexus Programme and explores nine case studies. The studies cover foreign countries conducting SSR in other states plus nationally-led programmes and the roles of ...» more
Common Norms and Good Practices of Civil-Military Relations in the EU
Is there a generally accepted way of managing the institutional relationship between a society and its military in the European Union (EU)? Is there something characteristically European about the relationship? This study from the Centre for European Security Studies looks at the common norms and good practices of civil-military relations in the countries of the EU. It argues ...» more
The National Security Strategy of the United Kingdom: Security in an interdependent world
What security challenges does the UK face? What steps is the government taking in response to these challenges? The national security strategy from the UK Cabinet Office sets out how the government will address and manage the security challenges that the UK faces. It emphasises the integrated nature of the responses required to address a range of diverse but interdependent ...» more
Weapon transfers to non-state armed groups
What factors facilitate and contribute to the transfer of different types of weapons, small arms and light weapons (SALW) in particular, to non-state armed groups (NSAGs)? How can the international community attempt to control these transfers? This article from Disarmament Forum examines the transfer of weapons to NSAGs. It describes how the post-Cold War security landscape and ...» more
Unclear Ends, Unclear Means: Reintegration in Postwar Societies – The Case of Liberia
What are the objectives of reintegration and how are they achieved? How does the conceptualisation of reintegration translate into practice in disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programmes? This article from Global Governance draws on the case of Liberia to examine the concept and practice of reintegration in post-war societies. It argues that the meaning and ...» more
The role of civil society in conflict prevention: West African experiences
What role have civil society organisations (CSOs) played in conflict prevention in West Africa? What challenges do they face in playing a more effective role? This article from Disarmament Forum examines the various contributions that CSOs have made to conflict prevention in West Africa. It argues that effective conflict prevention requires effective partnerships between CSOs ...» more
Security, Justice and the Rule of Law in Peace Operations
What is the ‘rule of law’ and how can it best be implemented in peace operations? This article from the journal International Peacekeeping reviews four publications on the rule of law in post-conflict situations. The books demonstrate that implementing the rule of law is more easily said than done. There is a need to systematise research and specify the conditions of success ...» more
Political and institutional dynamics of the control of small arms and light weapons in West Africa
What lessons can be learnt from West African initiatives to control small arms? How can these lessons be applied to the current international debate on an arms trade treaty? This United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) paper argues that the West African experience shows that an international arms trade treaty should address arms imports as well as exports and ...» more
Engaging non-state armed groups in disarmament
How should non-state armed groups (NSAGs) be engaged in disarmament as part of peace negotiations? How should disarmament be introduced, addressed and ultimately achieved? This article from the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) sets out how disarmament should be dealt with in the different phases of negotiation with NSAGs. Disarmament is a particularly ...» more
The Negotiation of Security Issues in the Burundi Peace Talks
How were security issues managed in the Burundi Peace Talks? What lessons are there for international mediators of other conflicts? Drawing on interviews with negotiators and advisors, this Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue report concludes that it is vital to balance political and technical expertise when addressing security issues and that the interconnectedness of security ...» more
The Negotiation of Security Issues in Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement
How did Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) deal with security issues? What lessons are there for international mediators assisting other peace processes? This Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue report finds that in Sudan the parties’ lack of trust led to a deliberate avoidance of commitments related to security and weapons control. In this context, there were few ...» more
