What does the UK Government mean by Security Sector Reform (SSR) and how does it manage its SSR assistance to developing countries? This statement sets out the UK Government’s policy on SSR. It is illustrated with examples of SSR assistance to date and outlines implications for the future. SSR requires a joined up and holistic approach. In order to be effective, assistance should be provided in coordination and in cooperation with other donors and the recipient state.
Security is central to effective and durable development. The UK recognises security as a necessary and important function of the state and works from the premise that security should be provided in an appropriate, accountable and affordable way. SSR requires close coordination and wide consultation with other potential donors and in concert with host governments to encourage the widest possible endorsement of objectives.
A well managed security sector is a precondition for stable development and encourages further development – contributing to a reduction of poverty and providing an environment for a potential increase in donors for regional and international peace support tasks.
- The main objective of SSR strategy is to help governments fulfil legitimate security functions and make the delivery of security more accountable.
- The UK seeks to provide individually tailored programmes that respond to the needs of the security sector in the country concerned.
- The UK is committed to helping justice systems work better in ways that are appropriate to the local culture and within available resources.
- Providing information through organisations such as The Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform (GFN-SSR), is important for policy development and capacity building.
- Communication plays an important role in strengthening civil society and enhancing coherence among all actors.
- Peace Support Operations are no longer treated as an unrelated development activity, but as a continuum of inter-related activity.
SSR programmes must be approached holistically. They should adopt a “joined-up” approach that coordinates the activities of all actors in order to achieve a fully accountable and transparent security sector.
- UK assistance must be closely coordinated with local officials, both governmental and non-governmental, and with donors.
- Engaging local interest at the earliest opportunity is essential in promoting ownership of the resultant process.
- SSR needs to take into account the role of private security providers – oversight and transparency are key issues for dealing with the private sector.
- Partner countries need to be very clear not only on what the UK will deliver but also on their own responsibilities – SSR will not work without commitment from both sides.
- Where reform assistance focuses on an area of concern to only one department, consultation with other departments is still important because of the need to consider the wider context.
- Combating small arms and light weapons proliferation requires the integration of defence, development, foreign policy, export controls, law enforcement and trade perspectives into the formulation of a comprehensive approach.
