Abstract
Security Sector Stabilisation and Reform in a Non-permissive Environment. Security sector stabilisation (SSS) and subsequent security sector reform (SSR) in a non-permissive environment are not straightforward processes. Many would argue that the mere character of this environment undermines many of the fundamental elements of reform, and that trying to implement a full-scale SSR programme is doomed to fail because of the many compromises that need to be made while the fighting is ongoing. Whereas SSR is inherently a political activity and traditionally builds on a negotiated peace deal in which the conditions for SSR are specified, SSS focuses on ‘…the range of activities that enable essential and minimum security functions to be established and maintained…’. In a non-permissive environment, where no or only fragile political institutions and political systems are available, the internal political activities needed to supervise a complete SSR programme, i.e. rebuilding sustainable core security structures and oversight bodies, often do not exist, thereby hampering both local ownership and the long-term sustainability of the reform programme. It is within this context that SSS programmes are implemented as the initial driver to create the conditions needed for a full SSR programme later.
This paper will focus on implementing SSS (with the aim of a full SSR programme) in a non-permissive environment and on identifying lessons in order to balance the short-term challenges with a long-term focus so that the initial efforts of the reform programme will not undermine long-term success. The focus will be on the role of external military forces in building the core security actors and their connection with the management and oversight bodies.