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Centre for Security Governance
Publication Announcement | CSG Paper #2 | Civil Military Cooperation and Security Sector Reform in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
The Centre for Security Governance has just published its latest CSG Paper, “Civil Military Cooperation and Security Sector Reform in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies” written by David Last. This CSG Paper analyzes the nature of civil military relations and describes how they affect civil military cooperation, security sector reform and civil affairs in complex humanitarian emergencies.
About the CSG Papers
This peer-reviewed paper series provides a venue for comprehensive research articles and reports on a variety of security sector reform and related topics. It endeavors to present innovative research that is both academically rigorous and policy relevant.
Authored by prominent academics, analysts and practitioners, the CSG Papers cover a range of topics, from geographic case studies to conceptual and thematic analysis, and are based on extensive research and field experience.
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Publication Announcement | CSG Insight #8 | Programming Tools: Another Way of Keeping External Control of the SSR Process?
The Centre for Security Governance has just published its latest CSG Insight, “Programming Tools: Another Way of Keeping External Control of the SSR Process?” written by Dr. Anthony Welch. This article analyzes new tools available for more effective security sector reform programming. The author argues that such SSR programming tools might however be another way of keeping the decision making in external hands and away from the local leaders and communities whose safety and support is the raison d’être for the whole process.
News
Clashes force 5,000 to flee after beheading in CAR
Around 5,000 people have fled from their homes in Bambari following clashes between rival militias, ahead of next month’s presidential election. – Azad Essa, Al Jazeera.
Egypt police protest for better pay, work conditions
Scores of policemen have staged demonstrations in Egypt’s Nile Delta to demand better pay in a rare show of protest since President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi came to power last year. – Middle East Monitor.
Militia releases 163 child soldiers from ranks in CAR
An anti-Balaka militia has released 163 children from its ranks in the Central African Republic. – Azad Essa, Al Jazeera.
Bangladesh to Purchase 7 Combat-Transport Helicopters from Russia
Russia and Bangladesh have signed a contract for the purchase of six Russian-made Mil Mi-171Sh combat-transport helicopters as well as one Mi-171E medium-lift transport aircraft. Moscow will provide a $1 billion loan to Dhaka for the purchase of Russian military hardware. - Franz-Stefan Gady, The Diplomat.
Taliban Captures District Center In Afghan Opium Heartland
Afghan Taliban fighters have seized the administrative headquarters of the Musa Qala district in Helmand Province, the latest in a series of setbacks for Afghan government security forces in the area. - RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan.
Philippines, Malaysia Hold Joint Naval Exercises Amid Security Concerns
The Philippines and Malaysia have held naval drills to deepen their cooperation in maritime security and transnational crime. Malaysia said the fear of a failure in peace talks between the Philippines and MILF fighters was one reason for the drills. - Prashanth Parameswaran, The Diplomat.
Myanmar’s military chief says armed forces will respect vote
Myanmar’s powerful commander-in-chief has reiterated that the military will respect the outcome of the country’s Nov. 8 election. – Aung Hla Tun, Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Extremists kill 28 in villages in northeastern Nigeria
Boko Haram extremists killed 28 people during attacks on remote villages in northeast Nigeria, members of a civilian defense group said on Friday. – Haruna Umar, AP.
Distraught Colombians flee Venezuela as border dispute intensifies
Hundreds of Colombians waded across a border river out of fear of persecution as a border dispute between Colombia and Venezuela intensifies. – Girish Gupta, Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Libyan rebels take control of Surman
Rebel forces loyal to Libyan General Khalifa Haftar have taken control of the town of Sorman, 80 kilometers from the capital Tripoli. – Middle East Monitor.
South Sudan president signs peace deal with rebels
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has signed a peace deal with rebels, at a ceremony in the capital Juba attended by African regional leaders. – Al Jazeera.
S.Sudan soldiers raped children, burned people alive -UN experts
South Sudanese soldiers raped children, burned people alive and hunted others for days in swamps in an increasingly brutal war, U.N. experts said. – Michelle Nichols, Thomson Reuters Foundation.
UUP decision ‘irresponsible and illogical’ - Robinson
Unionist parties have divided over the appropriate response to claims that an offshoot of the IRA remains active in Northern Ireland. – RTÉ.
Pakistan: Militants storm airport, kill engineer and kidnap another
Six armed militants stormed Pakistan’s Jiwani Airport on Sunday, killing an engineer, a local official said. Baloch insurgents are suspected to be behind the attack. - Syed Ali Shah and Sophia Saifi, CNN.
Analysis
This article documents the rise and role of ‘lords of war’ in Syria. The article revolves around an interview with a leader within the National Defense Forces and his story of becoming an arms dealer in Syria’s civil war. – Fehim Tasekin, Al-Monitor.
Focusing on ISIS’ Sexual Violence Misses the Bigger Picture
Ariel Ahram argues that the focus on the crimes of ISIS, particularly related to sexual violence, ‘distracts from the larger picture’ where an ‘epidemic of sexual violence is enveloping the entire Arab world’. Ahram ends by arguing that campaigns to rehabilitate victims and educate perpetrators about their crimes can do more good in ending sexual violence than any military campaign. – Ariel Ahram, Political Violence @ a Glance.
This article outline the situation facing Kashmir’s youths that is making them take up arms to fight the Indian government. – Fahad Shah, The Diplomat.
Nepal: Escalating Violence Over Autonomy
This article outlines the reasons for escalating violence in Nepal. It also calls strongly for the Nepali government to ensure its security forces deal with violence in accordance with international law, unlike the government’s previous responses. – Human Rights Watch.
The business of (dis)organised crime in South Africa
After outlining the state of organized crime in South Africa, this article goes on to argue that for acts like drug trafficking and murder to decrease, the police and government need to take more account of intelligence that analyzes groups from the bottom up, and focuses on ‘loose, informal and ad hoc networks’ of criminals. – Khalil Goga, Institute for Security Studies.
Autopsy of a Cambodian Election How Hun Sen Rules
In this in-depth piece, Stéphanie Giry writes of the ongoing political situation in Cambodia. Giry pays particular attention to the evolving relationship between rival political figures, Prime Minister Hun Sen and Sam Rainsy. The article also highlights how Hun Sen may use Cambodia’s diplomatic relations with Vietnam as a way of garnering political support in Cambodia. - Stéphanie Giry, Foreign Affairs.
Exclusive interview: Machar on South Sudan peace deal
This interview with rebel leader Riek Macha outlines the peace deal signed between government and rebel troops, and Macha’s hopes that the deal holds. – Al Jazeera.
Lebanon: Establish National Commission on Disappearances
This piece provides a critique of the Lebanese government’s handling of proposals to set-up an independent national commission to investigate the fate of people forcibly disappeared during the country’s 1975-1990 civil war. The piece closes by arguing that the only way to insure the disappearances are not repeated is to ensure accountability for the past. – Human Rights Watch.
Is Incirlik a “Game-changer” in Destroying the Islamic State?
Micah Zenko analyzes the impact Turkey’s opening of Incirlik air base to coalition forces will have on the fight against ISIL. Zenko highlights how the base has allowed for a rapid increase in the number of strikes carried out, particularly by US forces. – Micah Zenko, Council on Foreign Relations.
Assad defends presence of Hezbollah fighters in Syria
In this piece, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad speaks of Syria’s relationship with Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. He also describes how he feels the actions of Hezbollah are legitimate as their presence was requested by the Syrian government. - Al Jazeera and agencies.
Burundi’s Balancing Act: Making Peace After Genocide
Alan J. Kuperman outlines the path taken in Burundi towards reconciliation post-genocide, and how recent violence may impact upon this process. - Alan J. Kuperman, Foreign Affairs.
Can corruption be wiped out in Guatemala?
In this interesting video interview, Laura Kyle talks with Martin Rodriguez Pellecer, Anita Isaacs, and Roberto Wagner about what’s next for the Guatemalan president? And whether political corruption can be weeded out of Guatemala for good? – Al Jazeera.
Colombia must probe sexual violence by state forces - rights groups
Anastasia Moloney outlines calls from human rights groups for the Colombian government to investigate alleged sexual violence by state forces spanning the states conflict with FARC fighters. - Anastasia Moloney, Thomson Reuters Foundation.
The impending Shiite leadership crisis Baghdad doesn’t see coming
Mohammed Ali Shabani writes of how this rise of Shiite groups in Iraq could lead to leadership and political tensions in the months and years ahead. - Mohammed Ali Shabani, Al-Monitor.
Need for Police Reform in El Salvador at All-Time High
‘El Salvador is at a crossroads. Security forces and sophisticated street gangs are locked into what increasingly looks like a civil war, albeit without the obvious political component. In this context, political analyst Damien Wolff considers the urgency of police reform in that country’. – Damien Wolff, InSight Crime.
Why does South Sudan matter so much to the US?
Karen Allen provides readers with an intriguing look at why the US is so interested in securing a lasting peace in South Sudan. Allen highlights not only the aid provided by the US ($1.2billion), but also the effect peace in South Sudan could have on conflicts raging elsewhere in the region—particularly Darfur. – Karen Allen, BBC.
Opportunity In Chaos: How Iraq’s Mehdi Army Almost Succeeded—And Why It Matters
This piece looks into the organizations filling the power vacuums left on the streets of Iraq. Nicholas Krohley draws particular attention to the Mehdi Army, and the implications of the organizations level of power. - Nicholas Krohley, Foreign Affairs.
Publications
Defense and Security: European Politics Collection
With conflicts and terrorism threatening to destabilize Europe, key questions are being asked about defense and security within the region, especially at a time of austerity and economic insecurity. This free collection of over two dozen articles, examines European defense strategy, its relationship with other regions as a security provider, and the threat of terrorism in the modern age. Articles include: After Afghanistan: The European Union As Security Provider In Africa; Neither Bandwagoning Nor Balancing: Explaining Europe’s Security Policy; and, Security Governance In Europe: A Return To System. – Taylor and Francis Group.
Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan
This document outlines the peace agreement signed by rebel and government forces in South Sudan. Of particular interest is ‘Chapter V: Transitional Justice, Accountability, Reconciliation and Healing’. This chapter outlines: plans for the establishment of a hybrid court for South Sudan; the rights of victims and witnesses; and guidelines for criminal responsibility, convictions and penalties. – International Authority on Development, South Sudan.net.
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