Security sector reform in Africa: donor approaches versus local needs

Ansorg, Nadine (2017) Security sector reform in Africa: donor approaches versus local needs. Contemporary Security Policy, 38 (1). pp. 129-144. ISSN 1352-3260. E-ISSN 1743-8764. (doi:10.1080/13523260.2016.1278343)

Abstract

Many African states have security sector reform (SSR) programs. These are often internationally funded. But how do such programs account for previously existing security institutions and the security needs of local communities? This article examines SSR all over Africa to assess local ownership and path dependency from a New Institutionalist perspective. It finds that SSR, particularly in post-conflict countries, tends to be driven by ideas and perceptions of international donors promoting generalized blueprints. Often, such programs only account in a very limited way for path-dependent aspects of security institutions or the local context. Hence the reforms often lack local participation and are thus not accepted by the local community eventually.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1080/13523260.2016.1278343
Uncontrolled keywords:	Security Sector Reform, African security, international engagement, local ownership, New Institutionalism
Subjects:	J Political Science J Political Science > JF Political institutions (General) J Political Science > JZ International relations
Divisions:	Faculties > Social Sciences > School of Politics and International Relations Faculties > Social Sciences > School of Politics and International Relations > Conflict Analysis Research Centre
Depositing User:	Nadine Ansorg
Date Deposited:	01 Jan 2017 14:01 UTC
Last Modified:	29 May 2019 18:30 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/59761 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)
Ansorg, Nadine:	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8527-3483