Summary How can civil society organisations (CSOs) ensure accountability and transparency in the security sector? Whilst CSOs have facilitated security sector reform in transition and post-conflict states, much of their potential remains untapped. This UNDP handbook provides guidance on how CSOs can plan, structure and implement activities to support public oversight of the security sector….
The contributions of South Sudanese women associated with armed forces during the 22-year Sudanese civil war (1983-2005) remain unrecognised and undocumented. This brief, published by the Small Arms Survey, reviews women’s involvement in the conflict and the lack of official recognition of women in post-conflict programmes. The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) and United Nations’…
How can the United Nations play a more effective role in preventing violent conflict? This article from Global Governance analyses the UN’s track record and potential role in regard to operational, structural and systemic conflict prevention activities. The UN has had limited effectiveness in implementing conflict prevention programmes, but shows greater potential as a norm…
What is the most effective way of tackling violence and weapons issues in peace processes? This Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue report consists of four articles which put forward recommendations on how to deal with such issues when negotiating a peace agreement. The importance of understanding the local context, ensuring sustainable reintegration and dealing with arms…
How have the government and the international community conducted security sector reform (SSR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)? Why has so little progress been made in reforming the DRC’s security sector? This report from the Institute for Security Studies examines SSR in the DRC and its impact on security in the Kivu provinces….
International assistance operations still neglect the needs of women and girls in disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) processes. This handbook by Sarah Douglas, Vanessa Farr, Felicity Hill and Wenny Kasuma presents lessons learned and case studies to improve the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on women, peace and security, particularly its…
Summary As chief mediator in the violent aftermath of Kenya’s 2007 presidential election, Kofi Annan’s authority, background and personality contributed greatly to a successful mediation. This paper, published by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD), is a record of an interview conducted with Annan by the CHD on the Kenyan mediation process. In Annan’s words:…
The GFN-SSR Document Library is an up-to-date collection of the most credible publications available on security sector reform and related issues. To make it quicker and easier to access, it includes brief, policy-oriented summaries of each document highlighting the major findings and implications in an easy to read format, plus links to the full text…
Why is the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faltering? Why have the demobilisation programmes been unsuccessful? This paper, from the School of Oriental and African Studies, analyses these problems against the background of the DRC’s culture of violence, its informal politics and economy and the crises faced by ordinary people. Demobilisation…
Growing attention is being paid to private military companies (PMCs) that began operating in Iraq in the aftermath of the US-led invasion in 2003. This report by David Isenberg assesses PMCs in Iraq, analyses issues of concern and recommends improved regulatory oversight both in the US and internationally. The biggest obstacle to increased regulation of…
