How should United States Government (USG) departments and agencies implement security sector reform (SSR) programmes? What principles should guide the design and implementation of US SSR programmes? This paper from the USG provides Department of State, Department of Defense (DOD) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) practitioners with guidelines for coordinating, planning and implementing SSR programmes with partner nations. It provides guidance on how to design, develop and deliver foreign assistance in a way that promotes effective, legitimate, transparent and accountable security sector development.
SSR is a key programme area that supports the US foreign policy objectives related to peace, security, democracy and good governance. The Department of State, DOD and USAID should pursue integrated SSR strategies and programmes. Where appropriate, they should draw upon the full range of diplomatic, economic, development, security and defence approaches to support SSR efforts with partner nations.
Effective US SSR programmes require unity of effort and vision across all agencies, organisations, institutions and forces contributing to the reform process. Holistic programmes that consider the contributions of all actors can increase the chances of success and ensure the most effective use of resources. To design and coordinate effective, holistic SSR programmes, practitioners should:
- support host nation ownership – SSR programmes must be informed by the host nation’s history, culture, legal framework and institutions. Assistance should be designed to meet local needs and support local actors, processes and priorities;
- incorporate principles of good governance and respect for human rights – accountability, transparency, public participation and respect for human rights must be mainstreamed in security force development;
- balance operational support with institutional reform – incentives, processes, resources and structures must be put in place so that externally supported reforms, resources and capacities are sustained after assistance ends;
- link security and justice – a country’s security policies and practices must be founded upon the rule of law and linked to the broader justice sector;
- foster transparency – SSR programmes should be conducted transparently and openly whenever possible, including a robust communications component and broad consultation; and
- do no harm – SSR practitioners must pay close attention in order to minimise unintended adverse effects on the local population, security sector or political, social and economic climate.
- Interagency assessments should be the basis for USG-wide programming decisions. Assessments should consider US objectives, partner capabilities, requirements and resources, local needs and other donors’ contributions.
- Coordinated interagency planning is required to ensure balanced development of the entire security sector. Integrated planning will help to prioritise and sequence the activities of contributing agencies into a coherent SSR strategy.
- USG departments and agencies should incorporate SSR modules into training programmes for US staff. Pre-deployment training for embassy and stabilisation staff should highlight the range of assistance potentially available to support SSR.
- SSR strategies, plans and programmes should incorporate the guiding principles outlined above. Implementation requires careful alignment and synchronisation of programmes.
- SSR programmes should be monitored throughout to ensure they deliver sustainable results while minimising negative impacts. Evaluation at key decision points and at the close of projects will provide important measures of effectiveness.
