3.2. The framework of post-conflict peacebuilding, reconstruction and development
3.2.1. Security (security sector reform/transformation)
Security in the aftermath of conflict encompasses the concept of security sector reform (SSR), which is increasingly embracing the parlance of transformation, thus security sector transformation (SST) to complement the SSR implementation procedures. While SSR is said to be a broad concept to delineate, it has been conceived to include “the control of belligerents;
ensuring territorial security; protecting the populace and key individuals, infrastructure, and institutions; reforming of local security institutions; and negotiating regional security arrangements, as well as establishing strategies for its implementation and monitoring”
(AUSA/CSIS Framework 2002:1 & 7). To Brzoska (2000) and Wulf (2000), a broader conceptualization of SSR comprises of four dimensions, namely: the political dimension, which involves democratic and civilian control; the economic dimension that factors in appropriate apportionment of resources; the social dimension, which entails safeguarding the security of citizens; and the institutional dimension that includes professionally equipping the various actors. Bryden and Olonisakin (2010:3 & 8) further project that the central objectives of the security sector are to ensure and deliver operative and effectual state, human security,31
31 Note is taken that the entire security agenda becomes futile if the ideal of human security is not a prime consideration. This is because, human security emphasizes the primacy of individuals, communities and people’s collective security as the reference point of security arrangements, instead of the state security. Such security includes the rights of individuals to live in peace, have access to basic life provisions and the freedom of maximum participation in societal affairs, and be privy to enjoy their fundamental human rights (United Nations
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and justice, as corresponding and communally underpropping developments within democratic transition and governance framework. More so, the human component of the security agenda is very important in order to deflect from elite focused interests32 to an all- inclusive security arrangement that takes into cognizance the protection of the people’s rights and security (Bryden and Olonisakin 2010: 12).
According to Cooper and Pugh (2002: 5) undertaking SSR agendas involves the presence of security forces like the military, paramilitary and police; government and parliamentary agencies in charge of overseeing these forces; intelligence and private security corporations;
the judiciary and correctional institutions; informal security forces; as well as the civil society.
As a precondition for peacebuilding, reconstruction, and development, especially in the post- conflict, SSR is also concerned with the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR)33 of ex-combatants, as well as the protection of the vulnerable population affected by conflict (Tschirgi 2004: 9 & 14). In view of realizing these activities and consolidating peace, the African Union Commission in its Policy Framework on SSR stipulates that the SSR processes must:
2009: 6). Building on this understanding, safeguarding human security embroils adopting specific measures and engaging programmes that support a ‘safe environment, social harmony, equal status, equitable access to resources and to the decision making process’ (Gervais 2003: 301). These actions must include strategies that seek to address security issues of concern to women in post-conflict, advances the respect and protection of human rights, and the empowerment of people to take charge of their lives (United Nations 2009:6; Taylor 2003:3 & 4). Human security is a people-centered concept, and it stresses equality and freedom for all, gender justice, sustainability and grassroots participation, and peace initiatives that support the comprehensive agenda of security for all (Bajpai 2000: 11).
32 This is because, in post-colonial Africa, the establishment of security institutions or set ups were mainly aimed for the protection of the elites and their interests, the government regimes and systems in place, as well as to control, restraint and maneuver the masses and resources. In a large part, this failure to take on a people-centered arrangement to security resulted in weak, fragile, and failed states, and thus the outbreak of most of African conflicts post-colonialism and independence.
33 The process of disarmament involves the establishment and enforcement of weapons regulatory systems;
disarming belligerents and moderating the availability of unlicensed and unauthorized weapons through collaborative and cooperatives efforts; and securing/destroying the weapons, and establishing local arms control authority. *Demobilization process encompasses the establishment of disbandment camps; the provision of basic and necessary health, food and security for ex-combatants; dispersing such belligerent clusters; as well as monitoring and evaluating the entire demobilization process. *Reintegration involves bringing back and reintegrating ex-combatants into society; and putting in place strategies, complementary services and support systems for their reintegration both in the economic and social spheres of the society (AUSA/CSIS Framework 2002:5).
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“…adhere to the principles of gender equality and women’s empowerment as enshrined in the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003); the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (2004);
the Solemn Declaration on a Common African Defence and Security Policy (2004 ); the Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development Policy (2006); the African Union Gender Policy (2009); the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 and 1889 (2009); and other relevant gender instruments of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Member States. The entire SSR process will, therefore, include women-specific activities, gender awareness and responsive programming, and aim to bring about transformative possibilities for gender equity within the security sector” (African Union Commission 2013:11).
Discussing transformation of the security sector, Cooper and Pugh (2002:22 & 23) state that it involves emancipating societal organizations and groups devoted to promoting and building peace; providing the platform for communal inclusivity and participation of the local people and civil society in the security sector agendas; and limiting the excessive involvement of external actors. Equally, this language of transformation characterizes the inclusion of women in formal or informal security sector arrangements as an elemental machinery for SST (Bryden and Olonisakin 2010:18). In fact, the security sector agendas provide the basis to determine how peace and security are (re)instated back to the people and society. This bedrock of security arrangements further points to the notion of human security, which to Hudson (2005:162), is understood as a gender process since gender as a unit of analysis in security broadens integration across all societal groups and levels. Viewing security through the primacy of human security therefore entails that women as part of the whole (of people and groups) must be protected, empowered, represented and involved in the security sector reform and transformation engagements. Notably in Africa34, the security pillar of post- conflict recovery is vital to the enhancement of peace and development processes, particularly bearing in mind the AU’s adoption of a policy framework to this effect. So in keeping with the study’s subject to understand women’s organizational peacebuilding position in Liberia, this pillar is linked to the broader objective of how women impact the reform and transformation of the security sector in the agenda of post-conflict.
34 Reference here can be made to post-conflict African societies like South Africa, Rwanda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Burundi (among others), where security sector reform or transformation has been part and parcel of their revitalization processes with evidence of significant strides, and challenges as should be expected in most, if not, all societies transitioning from conflict.
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