What is Security Sector Reform?

Security is a core aspect of the vulnerability of the poor. Security sector reform aims to develop a secure environment based on development, rule of law, good governance and local ownership of security actors. GFN-SSR promotes these objectives by working with local actors through networks, capacity building and information sharing.

The above statement is the basis on which GFN-SSR operates. However, for a beginner in the field of security sector reform (SSR) this can be confusing given that 'security sector' is such a broad term, often misunderstood as well as being relabelled under ‘security system’, 'security and justice sector’ and ‘rule of law’.

As stated in the OECD DAC Handbook on Security System Reform, understanding who provides security and justice is central to SSR. The reality in most countries is that these services are delivered by a large number of actors. Some are state agencies and services, but some are likely to be non-state organisations and systems. Although the state has an irreducible role in justice and security provision, effective reform across the system requires working with a broad spectrum of actors:

• Core security actors: armed forces; police service; gendarmeries; paramilitary forces; presidential guards; intelligence and security services (both military and civilian); coast guards; border guards; customs authorities; and reserve or local security units (civil defence forces, national guards, militias).
• Management and oversight bodies: the executive, national security advisory bodies, legislative and legislative select committees; ministries of defence, internal affairs, foreign affairs; customary and traditional authorities; financial management bodies (finance ministries, budget officers, financial audit and planning units); and civil society organisations (civilian review boards and public complaints commissions).
• Justice and the rule of law: judiciary and justice ministries; prisons; criminal investigation and prosecution services; human rights commissions and ombudsmen; and customary and traditional justice systems.
• Non-statutory security forces: liberation armies, guerrilla armies, private security companies, political party militias.

All of the above are interlinked and - as experience has shown - trying to develop one specific security area without considering the effect upon and affect from others is likely to result in a project with limited if not negative impact.

In order to better understand what security sector reform is, GFN-SSR has produced A Beginner's Guide to Security Sector Reform. To access this publication, please click here.

The Folke Bernadotte Academy have also produced a short video outlining the key points of SSR. This is available here.