Post-conflict environments can attract huge numbers of external actors that create management and coordination problems and often apply short-term approaches that can lead to resumption of conflict. This paper, published by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, provides an overview of security sector reform (SSR) in post-conflict environments. SSR success can be assessed by measuring the reduction of violence, economic growth, improved security professionalism and the degree of local ownership.
Post-conflict generally describes the period after intra- or interstate hostilities have ceased, although violence may continue. It usually follows a ceasefire or the signing of a formal peace agreement.
Post-conflict challenges include a continuing unstable security situation, a strong military component that may prioritise security capacity-building over security governance, weak state institutions and precarious socio-economic conditions. Post-conflict environments can attract huge numbers of external actors that create management and coordination problems and also may apply short-term approaches to challenges, which, in turn, can lead to resumption of conflict.
The following features constitute the organisation of post-conflict peacebuilding environments:
Measurement of SSR success is an inexact science; however the answers to the following questions may provide key success indicators:
Author: Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)
Source: 2009, 'Security Sector Reform in Post-conflict Peacebuilding', Backgrounder Series, Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)
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Mediating election-related conflicts
GFN-SSR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DCAF. This is supported by an annual workplan outlining particular activities for cooperation and areas for information exchange.
GFN-SSR works closely with our sister project, the GSDRC, which specialises in information and resources on specific governance and social development issues.