unrealistic view of reform efforts and required resources
poorly conceived and coordinated reforms
dysfunctional and ineffective security and justice institutions
sense of impunity and militaristic practices carried over from the war
worsening poverty, socioeconomic inequality, and crime
Recommendation.
1. SSR provisions need to be included in a consistent way in every peace
agreement. Try to avoid a 'one-size-fits-all' approach and tailor SSR provisions
to the situation; support comprehensive SSR provision by meaningful
implementation mechanism and appropriate international support; avoid
overselling SSR which may lead to unrealistic expectations.
2. Encourage a broad range of stakeholders in the peace negotiations; include
women and youth in peace negotiations; include security concerns from nonstate armed groups, civil society, and women's groups.
3. Design negotiations in such a way as to foster trust, mutual confidence, and
commitment to a common vision of the future.
4. Implementation mechanisms should be as representative, participatory, and
transparent as possible, and subject to monitoring, evaluation, and oversight by a
neutral agency, preferably the United Nations. Successful implementation also
requires national ownership; dedicated and meaningful resources; addressing
other root causes of conflict alongside SSR.
5. Implement strategies for containing spoilers. Strategies include patient, openended negotiations, inducements, and sanctions. The goal is to not inadvertently
entrench or increase the power and influence of spoilers.
6. Legitimate non-state justice and security organs should be integrated into
peace agreements and into the design of disarmament, demobilization, and
reintegration (DDR) and SSR exercises. Demobilizing armed opposition
movements and converting them into legitimate political parties are not only
essential for channeling violence into peaceful political competition, but also for
nurturing a credible democratic opposition.
7. There is a need to understand the 'contextual politics' of SSR and to pay
attention at the outset to the impact that the political arrangements installed
under a peace agreement may have on the implementation of SSR; encourage
mutual trust, consensus building, and national reconciliation through the peace
negotiations as an essential prop of a post-conflict security strategy; support and
empower NGOs, civil society organizations (CSOs), and women's groups that
are committed to peace and dialogue, enabling them to fully participate in the
SSR process.
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