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News Articles
Apparent unwillingness to reform the institutions that allowed a violent crackdown on protestors two years ago has raised concerns that Bahrain has no intention of fixing the human rights concerns that persist in the island nation. Sarah Lee Whitson highlights the failures, criticisms, and in some cases, outright lies of the Bahraini regime and how it may simply be trying to dupe western supporters into believing progress in SSR is being made.
Sudan Approves National DDR Strategy
The National Council for the Coordination of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration in Sudan has approved a national strategy for disarmament and demobilization that takes into account a number of state concerns including defense and security, as well as sustainable development.
SSR Struggles to Gain Ground in Tunisia
Tunisia continues to struggle with the governance of its Interior Ministry as institutional, political, and practical problems persist in preventing progress in implementing security sector reforms. Shadows of the former dictator, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, continue to exist within the current ministry, resisting change and stymieing progress in SSR which has failed to capture the general public’s interest despite the country’s desperate need for change.
OSCE and SSR in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) has completed its introductory course on SSR in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The course brought together representatives from the government, the military, media, and civil society and looked at the current security situation in the country as well as the requirements needed for ongoing reforms. Proper representation, emerging actors, and local ownership were key factors of consideration.
Turkey Calls on Kurds to Disarm
Continuing his bid to end a nearly 30 year long conflict, President Abdullah Gül has called upon the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to disarm themselves following the release of eight public officials that were taken hostage a few months ago. Turkey has pursued a strategy of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) with regard to the PKK rebels. Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed leader of the PKK has been holding peace talks with the Turkish Government since last October, and is expected to call for a ceasefire in the coming weeks.
With the Egyptian police forces openly revolting against Mohamed Morsi’s regime and demanding the resignation of Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim, the prospects for much needed security sector reforms are slipping away. Ongoing hostility towards the perceived “brotherhoodization” of the security forces is combining with political reluctance to engage in reforms for fear of losing control over the police and security forces. Dr. Hicham Mourad details the missed chances for reform following the revolution, and illustrates how the police themselves may be the key to overhauling the system.
Police Reform Questioned in Kazakhstan
Understanding the need to reform its police and interior ministry in order to achieve its goals, the Government of Kazahkstan has brought former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his consulting firm in too provide consultation and advice on reform programs. Kazakhstan is seeking WTO membership and closer links with western markets for its natural resources, but is hampered by a brutally violent police force. In December 2011, under the guise of restoring order during a protest, Kazakh police officers killed 15 oil workers and injured dozens more in Zhanaozen.
Publications
UN Technical Guidance Notes on SSR
The United Nations Inter-Agency Security Sector Reform Task Force (IASSRTF) has released the Technical Guidance Notes on SSR. Seeking to establish a common approach to SSR, the IASSRTF completed the project in December and was reported on here in January, but the manual had not yet been finalized for release. It is now available online from the link above.
Security Governance Group
Hybrid Models of Governance in Afghanistan
SGG Senior Associate Humayun Hamidzada and Ali Wardak have co-authored The Search for Legitimate Rule, Justice, and a Durable Peace: Hybrid Models of Governance in Afghanistan. This brief looks at the divide between traditional systems of justice in Afghanistan and the state centric ones that have been developed during the post-Taliban era.
SSR and Civil Society: Opportunities Across Cases
By comparing studies of Morocco, Palestine, and Albania, Isaac Caverhill-Godkewitsch looks at the importance of incorporating civil society into the SSR process. Each study provides an opportunity to highlight the roles of civil society actors, their capabilities, and the opportunities they can provide to state and non-state actors trying to implement change.
Miscellaneous
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