Developing a common security sector reform strategy

How can the European Union (EU) better support security sector reform (SSR)? This report from Saferworld summarises the findings of a seminar on SSR and the EU’s role in it. The seminar revealed that local ownership, holistic understanding and assessments, approaches tailored to local contexts and access to sufficient funding are all preconditions for effective SSR. The lack of coherence and a common understanding of SSR within the EU undermine the EU’s strengths in SSR. The EU requires a common concept on SSR to ensure greater coherence and coordination.

An EU concept on SSR must present a comprehensive overarching framework bringing together the contributions to SSR of both the European Commission and Council. New policies are only worthwhile, however, if they improve implementation. The EU must also develop implementation guidelines for SSR policies, training and awareness programmes within EU institutions, systematic lesson-learning and regular evaluation practices.

The EU’s multilateralism and capacity to bring together member states and different functions and instruments give it a comparative advantage in supporting SSR. However, this advantage is still largely potential rather than existing, since the EU has yet to put its theoretical strength into coherent and coordinated practice. The EU needs to:

• improve coordination – The EU must develop a common SSR concept. A coherent and strategic approach is vital to ensuring a comprehensive approach addressing different aspects of security while encouraging coordination between actors;
• improve coherence in implementation – Joint needs assessments and SSR contact points in each Commission and the Council’s General Secretariat could improve coherence in implementation; and
• finance SSR – SSR is expensive and donors are reluctant to fund it. SSR should be integrated into EU planning, analysis frameworks and financial instruments. Mainstreaming SSR activities would encourage other donors to engage in SSR.

Key principles for effective EU engagement in SSR include:

• Local ownership – partner countries should set SSR priorities wherever possible. EU SSR policies should be the result of permanent and constructive dialogue with partner countries, who must participate fully in their design and implementation.
• Efficiency and democratic oversight – SSR policies should promote effective security services in a manner consistent with democracy, human rights and principles of governance, transparency and the rule of law.
• Holistic, multi-functional and tailored approaches – EU SSR policies should take a broad approach to addressing development and security concerns, using a range of instruments. They must adapt to partner countries’ needs, capacities and context.
• Long-term timeframes and continuity in security and development policies – SSR is a long-term endeavour. It must make a clear link between short-term crisis management and stabilisation and long-term development and conflict prevention.
• International coordination and EU added value – the EU should coordinate with other donors to avoid duplication. EU SSR activities must add genuine value in comparison to other donors.
• Lesson-learning and evaluation – EU and international experiences should be shared systematically at the EU level. Strategy should be reviewed regularly to ensure effective lesson-learning.

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