Security System Reform in Sierra Leone and the Role of the Office of National Security
Security System Reform in Sierra Leone and the Role of the Office of National Security
By Brigadier General (ret.) Kellie Hassan Conteh. The Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform, 2008.
Sierra Leone’s security sector has been significantly transformed since the country emerged from civil war. Intelligence offices were reformed, a National Security Council created, inter-agency coordination improved, and the security sector is generally less politicized. This transformation process helped lay the groundwork for Sierra Leone’s post-conflict return to free, fair, and safe democratic elections. [PDF]Security Sector Reform under International Tutelage in Sierra Leone
By Osman Gbla. International Peacekeeping, 2009. Author examines the effectiveness and challenges facing security sector reform (SSR) efforts being implemented in Sierra Leone. Whilst the author praises the institutional capacity restructuring in retraining and re-integrating of ex-combatants into the security forces, he highlights the lack of oversight and non-involvement of the judiciary, parliament and civil society as a major concern. He concludes by questioning the implementation capacity as well as the over-reliance on foreign donors to sustain and fund the program. Download the Article: [HTML]Politically Enfranchising the Non-political: Safeguarding Peace through Civic Education and Inclusion?
By Nathalie Wlodarczyk. Civil Wars, 2009. Author looks at some of the challenges posed to the DDR process by the Civil Defense Forces (CDF) in Sierra Leone. She looks at the classification system used in accepting applicants into the reintegration program and the problems it is creating, which includes the danger of the CDF reverting to its wartime activities. She concludes with an analysis on the dangers of over-emphasizing economic integration of ex-combatants to the detriment of political re-integration. Download the Article: [HTML]Cosmopolitan peacekeeping and peace building in Sierra Leone: what can Africa contribute?
By David Curran and Tom Woodhouse. International Affairs, 2008. The authors discuss the challenges of peace building in post-conflict countries. They argue for the urban use of the military in peace enforcement if civilian killings occurs citing the UK role in Sierra Leone. The article discusses the effectiveness of regional organizations such as ECOWAS in such cases versus the UN due to the former’s quicker response and robust nature. The UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) roles are also discussed including their lack of mandate and the constraints this has on their effectiveness. Download the Article: [PDF]Security System Reform in Sierra Leone and the Role of the Office of National Security
By Conteh, Brigadier General Kellie Hassan. International Alert, 2008. Author gives a brief history of security system reforms implemented following the end of Sierra Leone's civil war. Particular focus is given to intelligence reform and the creation of a National Security Council and several other mechanisms meant to facilitate coordination and depoliticize the roles of security agencies. The author contends that these reforms were crucial to successful and non-violent national elections in 2007 in which the various security sector bodies maintained and ensured safety while remaining politically impartial. Download the Article: [PDF]
