Security Sector Reform is central to DFID's mission of poverty reduction. Badly managed and bloated security forces hamper development, discourage investment, and help to perpetuate poverty. On the other hand, well-managed and effective security forces operating within institutional frameworks defined by law, can be a force for good. Security Sector Reform can help create stability, promote human rights, and achieve transparent and accountable security expenditure.
DFID's newly published paper: "Understanding and Supporting Security Sector Reform" provides practical guidance for DFID governance advisers and country programme managers considering interventions in the security sector. The guidelines may also be helpful to DFID staff working on overlapping issues of governance, economic reform, social development, post-conflict reconstruction, and emergency response work. The FCO, Home Office and MOD, who are responsible for other parts of the security agenda, may also find the guidance useful, as may other donors and our partners in developing and transition countries.
The Guidelines focus on working within the defence sector. In this, DFID's primary role is to help with the governance agenda with a view to achieving appropriate, affordable and accountable security forces, and to ensure that civil society has a voice in defence issues. The FCO, Home Office, MOD and civilian security and intelligence agencies will support other aspects of reform. This publication explains how the government departments work together and offers guidance on entry points and possible risks concerning DFID involvement.
The Guidelines should be read in conjunction with a publication entitled "Safety, Security and Access to Justice for All", which will issue shortly from Governance Department. This publication is cross-referenced in the Guidelines and will focus on police and justice reform.
"Understanding and Supporting Security Sector Reform" will also be posted shortly on DFID's external website. For further information regarding UK policy and programmes in this area, and for additional hard copies, please contact Dick Baly (Senior Security Sector Adviser) on extension 0186.