Security Sector Transformation
UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES
NAME/
COMPUTER NO: HENRY NYUNDU (512800392)
JACK SINYANGWE (STUDENT NO)
BRIAN MUIMUI (STUDENT NO)
CHOLA KATANGA (STUDENT NO)
COURSE: DSS-5055
LECTURER: PROF B J PHIRI
DUE DATE: 14 AUGUST 2012
SEMINAR TOPIC: IN A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES, CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF AND ENGAGEMENT WITH POLICING ARE TWO METHODS OF IMPROVING THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE OF THE SECURITY SECTOR. THERE ARE, HOWEVER, SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DEGREE TO WHICH SUCH MECHANISMS COULD FOSTER DEMOCRATIC POLICING IN A SYSTEM CHARACTERIZED BY A LOW LEVEL OF OVERALL DEMOCRACY. WITH THE AID OF EXAMPLES FROM ANY TWO SOUTHERN AFRICAN COUNTRIES DISCUSS THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE STATEMENT IS TRUE.
INTRODUCTION
Civilian oversight of and engagement with policing are viewed as two methods of improving the democratic governance of the security sector. This is true because of the roles played by these organisations in providing checks and balances on the activities of the security sector. The security sector must be transformed so as to create a secure environment that is conducive to development, poverty reduction, good governance and, in particular, the growth of democratic states and institutions based on the rule of law. This relies on the ability of the state to mitigate its people’s vulnerabilities through development, and to use a range of policy instruments to prevent or address security threats that affect society’s well-being. This includes establishing appropriate civilian oversight of security actors. Hence, a broader range of state institutions is now being considered in the provision of security, with the military seen as one instrument among many. The ‘security sector’ includes traditional security actors such as the armed forces and police; oversight bodies such as the executive and legislature; civil society organisations; justice and
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES
NAME/
COMPUTER NO: HENRY NYUNDU (512800392)
JACK SINYANGWE (STUDENT NO)
BRIAN MUIMUI (STUDENT NO)
CHOLA KATANGA (STUDENT NO)
COURSE: DSS-5055
LECTURER: PROF B J PHIRI
DUE DATE: 14 AUGUST 2012
SEMINAR TOPIC: IN A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES, CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF AND ENGAGEMENT WITH POLICING ARE TWO METHODS OF IMPROVING THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE OF THE SECURITY SECTOR. THERE ARE, HOWEVER, SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DEGREE TO WHICH SUCH MECHANISMS COULD FOSTER DEMOCRATIC POLICING IN A SYSTEM CHARACTERIZED BY A LOW LEVEL OF OVERALL DEMOCRACY. WITH THE AID OF EXAMPLES FROM ANY TWO SOUTHERN AFRICAN COUNTRIES DISCUSS THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE STATEMENT IS TRUE.
INTRODUCTION
Civilian oversight of and engagement with policing are viewed as two methods of improving the democratic governance of the security sector. This is true because of the roles played by these organisations in providing checks and balances on the activities of the security sector. The security sector must be transformed so as to create a secure environment that is conducive to development, poverty reduction, good governance and, in particular, the growth of democratic states and institutions based on the rule of law. This relies on the ability of the state to mitigate its people’s vulnerabilities through development, and to use a range of policy instruments to prevent or address security threats that affect society’s well-being. This includes establishing appropriate civilian oversight of security actors. Hence, a broader range of state institutions is now being considered in the provision of security, with the military seen as one instrument among many. The ‘security sector’ includes traditional security actors such as the armed forces and police; oversight bodies such as the executive and legislature; civil society organisations; justice and
References: A Beginner’s Guide to Security Sector Reform (SSR): The Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform (GFN-SSR), December 2007 DCAF, 2009. Richard Lee. Consolidating SADC 's regional integration: The governance of the security sector. 06 August 2012 Rocklyn Williams, Africa and the Challenges of Security Sector Reform. Building stability in Africa: Challenges for the new millennium, Institute for Security Studies. Published in Monograph 46, February 2000 UNDP Human Development Report 2002