Thematic Area : SSR

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SSR description

Security Sector Reform (SSR) is defined as the process by which countries formulate or re-orient the policies, structures, and capacities of institutions and groups engaged in the security sector, in order to make them more effective, efficient, and responsive to democratic control, and to the security and justice needs of the people. Security Sector Reform is also sometimes expressed as security sector governance, security sector transformation, security sector development, security sector review as well as security and justice reform.

The AU Policy Framework on SSR is a guide for the AU, Member States, RECs and partners for the implementation of SSR on the African continent, building on the international normative frameworks established by the United Nations. The decision and the leadership in the implementation of national SSR activities remains with Member States based on their own assessment of the country’s security and development needs. The AU and other partners can only assist in nationally owned and nationally led SSR processes.
AUC support to SSR has comprised eight clusters of activities:

Development of the AU Policy Framework on SSR and other supporting documents and their publication and dissemination.
Assisting Member States in their national SSR activities
Training of relevant AUC and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) staff in SSR issues
Capacity building of SSR staff at AU Headquarters (HQs), RECs and AU Missions
Setting up of a viable SSR structure at AU HQs
Visits to potential SSR countries for SSR needs assessment
Development of tools for the implementation of the AU SSR policy
Consultations and collaboration with all stakeholders (other AU departments, Member States, RECs, the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), civil society, other international partners and donors

Important knowledge has been gained and lessons learned about DDR on the continent by; member states, REC’s/RM’s, the AUC, civil society and others. Some of these experiences have been collated and summarised here against several core themes, which are described below.

SSR Themes (and chapeau)

DDR Institutions and Instruments

In many situations specific institutions have been established at the national level to support the development of DDR policy and the development and delivery of interventions. Lessons learned related to this are highlighted here along with a sample of potentially useful forms and checklists from several country programmes. The important principle of national ownership is highlighted and explored.

Core African Principles for SSR

The African Union has already developed broad principles relating to the security sector that are elaborated in several key instruments. In addition, a set of global SSR norms and principles have been developed by the United Nations. Further to this the AU has established a set of core principles that are particularly relevant for or unique to the African continent. These are highlighted here and include those related to governance, democratization and gender which have important implications for economic, political and social rights. These issues are explored here.

Codes of Conduct for Security Institutions

Significant efforts have been made at the international, regional and sub-regional levels to establish a normative framework for democratic, rights-based and rule of law abiding security sector institutions, including armed forces, law enforcement and private security companies. It has been recognized that codes of conduct are a useful tool for providing an institution-specific interpretation of the normative framework. Under this theme existing best practice and experiences related to the use and application of codes of conduct for and with security institutions are explored and examined.

Harmonisation of National Security Legislation

The security environment of each AU Member State, whilst unique, are shaped by regional dynamics, trans-boundary issues, and shared common security interests. It is important that national security processes are developed in accordance with, and supported by, institutional frameworks that rely on agreed standards for the rule of law and human rights, and the establishment of internal and external oversight mechanisms to enforce those standards. International and AU Guidance requires SSR processes to be informed by strategic level policy in the form of NS processes. These issues are explored here.

Gender and SSR

The AU Policy Framework on SSR specifies that SSR processes will include gender awareness and responsive programming with the aim of bringing about transformative possibilities for gender equity within the security sector. Wider frameworks on gender, women, peace and security, also emphasize the mutually reinforcing relationship between rule of law and human rights. Given this it is important that gender and SSR initiatives are based on, and supported by, institutional frameworks that rely on agreed standards for the rule of law and human rights. Current guidance and practice is identified here.

SSR Needs Assessments

A proper needs assessment and context analysis is a core element of any SSR process. Member States may sometimes ask the AU to conduct an SSR Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) to determine how the AU can support the Member State in the SSR process and a wide variety of other partners may also assist Member States in conducting SSR assessment processes more broadly. Issues related to SSR needs assessments and associated best practice are highlighted here.

SSR Training

Ensuring that policy makers and those responsible for SSR implementation are appropriately trained is a pre-requisite for effective DDR. Under this theme key issues related to SSR training and current practice are identified and explored.

SSR& M&E

Given that the security sector is the cornerstone of national security, and M&E is central to any reform or democratic governance of the security sector, it is important that effective M&E for SSR processes is in place. Building on the Template for M&E of SSR put forward by the AUC in its OGN, “A Security Sector Reform Monitoring and Evaluation Template”, issues related to SSR and M&E are explored further here.