News
South Africa ready to address challenges in DRC: Zuma
South African President Jacob Zuma reiterated South Africa’s readiness to assist the DRC with security sector reform at the recent Joint SADC-International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), taking place in Pretoria. The conference is meant as a mechanism for regional and multilateral cooperation in restoring peace and stability in Southern Africa and the Great Lakes Region – Xinhua
Deputy UN chief urges greater national ownership, funding for security sector reform
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson spoke at the recent High-Level Meeting of the Friends of Security Sector Reform. Here he stressed the importance of SSR in linking security, development and human rights and urged greater national ownership and funding to support UN efforts in this field – UN News Centre
UK Ministry of Justice to assist Georgia’s judicial system
In a recent meeting between Georgia’s Minister of Justice Tea Tsulukiani and British Secretary of State for Justice Chris Grayling, the UK promised assistance in the creating of indicators to assess judges under the reform of the judicial system, in the training of judges for minors, as well as the exchange of experience in the field of re-socialisation - rehabilitation of prisoners - Trend, N.Kirtzkhalia
Laws to Bring Order in Security Sector
In Kenya, the National Coordination Act and the National Security Policy are to be ratified soon, aimed at enhancing provision of security services to the public and improving cohesion amongst security agencies. The laws are an answer to friction that exists between Provincial Administrations and the police – Cyrus Ombati, the Standard Digital
Somalia’s future relies on an army that does not yet exist
This article provides an overview of the progress made in building Somalia’s military and the various efforts at work, including the EUTM-Somalia and AMISOM contributions. UN Special Representative to the Secretary-General Nicholas Kay expresses cautious optimism and highlights the steps that remain to be taken to achieve further progress – Mary Fitzgerard, Irish Times
Mali’s coup leader summoned by judiciary in wake of killings
The man responsible for last year’s coup in Mali, Captain Amadou Sanogo, has been summoned to the judiciary to answer for allegations that he and 16 other soldiers under his command tortured and killed other soldiers who did not support the coup. The move is one of the first steps in ensuring accountability in the country’s military - Rukmini Callimachi, the Windsor Star
Publications
The first Primer Paper of the Centre for Security Governance eSeminar series lays out the current security situation in Libya and outlines efforts to formalize the security sector and demobilize the country’s militias and combatants – Anni -Claudine Buelles, Centre for Security Governance
This briefing calls for an end to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that has shielded human rights abusers and created a culture of impunity in India’s military – especially in the northeast. It highlights recent developments that have led to renewed calls to end these laws and further documents continuing human rights abuses – Amnesty International
Security Governance Group
Libya: Capture of Anas al Liby Exposes Weak Security Sector
Security Governance Group Research and Communications Intern Shannon Nash looks at the recent U.S. raid that led to the capture of wanted terrorist, Anas al Liby to analyze how the event reflects on Libya’s troubled security sector – Shannon Nash, Security Governance Group
Miscellaneous
Vigilantism and the Governance of Insecurity in Nigeria
SSR Resource Centre Blog Contributor Chris Kwaja looks at the proliferation of vigilante groups in Nigeria and their role in supplementing the state’s efforts to deliver security to the population – Chris Kwaja, Security Sector Reform Resource Centre
Big Victory as M23 Surrenders, But Not an End to Congo’s Travails
With the surrender of M23, the Congo has a new opportunity to make peace and achieve stability. This analysis outlines events that have led to M23 surrender and the remaining challenges that need to be tackled, including outstanding issues related to ongoing SSR and DDR activities – Christoph Vogel, Global Observatory
Guinea-Bissau trudging along in crisis
With the polls having been delayed in Guinea-Bissau, the transition period after the country’s last military coup has been prolonged. This article overviews the state of political affairs in the country and outlines the important role that stalled security sector reforms can play in ensuring a successful democratic transition, primarily by limiting the effect that drug trafficking has on the corrupt relationship between politicians and the military – IRIN News
Protecting Libya’s Lifeblood – Analysis
This article discusses the importance of security sector reforms for protecting the Libyan oil industry. The hydrocarbon sector can be a prosperous source of revenue that will help Libya in its transition period by stimulating economic growth. However, a weak and fragmented security sector has prevented extensive international investment in the country – Matthew Hedges, Eurasia Review
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