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FEATURE

Blog | Sustainability and the 1st political dimension

SSR is a very political process. Both in the host country, as well as for international supporting donors. In this first of a two-part blog, Alwin van den Boogaard explores the political dimension of SSR in the host nation, and how it impacts the sustainability of reform.

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Resource Library

Policy and Research Papers

The challenges and lessons learned in supporting Security Sector Reform

The study from the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) focuses on the potential and possible entry points for greater civil society engagement in the processes of supporting SSR. It resolves around three main objectives: providing an overview of SSR process, identifying challenges faced by SSR practitioners, and outlining the importance to engage civil society in the process.

Multi-layered Security Governance as a Quick Fix? The challenges of donor-supported, bottom-up security provision in Ituri (DR Congo)

Building security infrastructures based on Western models has been increasingly criticised by scholars and practitioners. External actors have become more aware of the need to include non-state security actors and to adopt a multilayered approach when it comes to SSR. From this perspective, the LSE Justice and Security Research Programme paper investigates the multilayered security governance in the Ituri province from DR Congo.

Between ‘Justice’ and ‘Injustice’: Justice Populaire in the Eastern DR Congo

Another paper from the LSE Justice and Security Research Programme takes a close look at extra-legal popular violence in eastern DR Congo and at its possible explanation and prevention. This policy brief argues that justice populaire, as it is refered to in DR Congo, stems from a wider crisis of authority rather than solely from the malfunctioning justice and security system of the country.

Other documents

United Nations DPKO SSR Newsletter, no. 25, February-August 2016

The 25th edition of the UN DPKO SSR Newsletter gives an update on recent activities from the DPKO SSR Unit, as well as an overview of upcoming initiatives and relevant information for the SSR practitioners. Updates on the DPKO mission to Central African Republic, the Senior SSR Practioners’ workshop and the launch of new Integrated Guidance Note on SSR and transnational organised crime are presented in this issue.

Videos

David Kilcullen Discusses Counterinsurgency Lessons for Africa

In this video by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, David Kilcullen examines how insurgents are using the population in peri-urban areas to isolate the government form the rest of the country. Techniques and motivations of the insurgent groups are described, as well as the concept of conflict entrepreneurs. The author also outlines the importance for communities and provinces to develop civil-controlled security infrastructures in order to maintain security without a permanent military presence.

ISSAT Training Courses

Advanced Course on Security Sector Reform | The Hague

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union, in partnership with DCAF-ISSAT, will organise an advanced training course on security sector reform in the Hague from October 17-21. Please note that the applications close on Monday 12 September.

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Events

Les nouveaux visages des armées africaines Wednesday 05 October - Thursday 06 October 2016 | Paris

The IRSEM international conference will focus on sub-Saharan African armies. The conference will examine three principal themes: the origins and development of African armies, the external influence affecting African armies and the armies' adaptation to current challenges. This event will be held in French and English, with simultaneous translation in both languages.

Jobs

Head of Office - Goma | Search for Common Ground | Deadline: 28 August 2016

Chief of Service - Rule of Law | DPKO | Deadline: 29 August 2016

Principal Officer | DPKO | Deadline: 29 August 2016

Human Rights Officer | DPKO | Nairobi | Deadline: 29 August 2016

Tip of the Week

If you are interested in learning more about SSR, take one of our free interactive E-learning courses that range from a detailed introduction to SSR to topics such as police integrity, strategic advising, and justice support.