What is the way forward for peace and stability in Liberia? This paper, by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), looks at Liberian post-conflict reconstruction, particularly at security sector reform (SSR). It argues that SSR needs to focus not only the efficacy of security institutions, but also on ensuring that they are consistent with the democratic norms of transparency, accountability and responsiveness.
Liberia presents one of the most challenging contexts for post conflict reconstruction. Its long civil war led to the destruction of the state, society and the economy. A peace agreement, signed in 2003, provided for the formation of a transitional government, including a transitional parliament. However, the reconstruction process has been hampered by various factors, including governance problems and corruption in the transitional government; incomplete disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR); and a failure to address the root causes of conflict. During Liberia’s transition period (2003-2005) there was neither a national security policy nor a coherent framework for the reconstruction of the security sector.
SSR should enhance both operational efficiency and democratic governance. Operational efficiency, without effective democratic governance of the security sector, can lead to oppression of the population by the armed forces, particularly of the poor and vulnerable. This is particularly important in Liberia where the security sector has been repeatedly used by the presidency for its personal purposes.
The following factors impede the prospects for democratic governance of the security sector in Liberia:
- a lack of an adequate constitutional framework;
- a failure to address SSR within a broader governance framework;
- a lack of mechanisms for making the reform process accountable to the Liberians;
- inadequate parliamentary oversight;
- a lack of effective civilian management in the Ministry of Defense (MoD);
- inadequate civil society involvement in the reform process; and
- a gap between the Liberian population and the leadership of the United Nations Mission in Liberia.
A coherent and accountable framework for SSR in Liberia needs to be drawn up. It should be based on a comprehensive and inclusive national security policy. There needs to be:
- a broad-based national security policy review and a review of the Liberian constitution;
- the integration of regional peacebuilding capabilities into the new Liberian armed forces;
- an oversight mechanism for the activities of the private military company DynCorp – which has been subcontracted to train the Liberian armed forces – this should include the UN Peacebuilding Commission, ECOWAS, ICRC, the United States Government and Veritas, proprietor of DynCorp;
- a comprehensive programme for the enhancement of parliamentary oversight;
- a strategy to identify new funding sources, such as the Democracy Fund and the UN Peacebuilding Commission, to support mechanisms for strengthening democratic control of the armed and security forces;
- civilian disarmament through the UNDP Small Arms Control and Community Micro- Disarmament project; and
- an enhancement of local ownership of the reconstruction process, particularly in the security sector.
