Annex: Security sector development in
the DRC: Conclusion and Five-Year Objectives
1. "The shock administered
by the fall of Goma in November 2012 has catalysed a re-think
of what is needed amongst both the Congolese elite and the international
community. This has already borne some fruit both on the ground,
as witnessed by the FARDC's successes in August and October 2013
against M23, and at the political level. The international community
now has an opportunity to reconfigure the conversation with the
GoDRC about SSR and to use its leverage more effectively.
2. "We are at a critical moment.
The situation remains fragile, yet the next 6-12 months represent
a major opportunity to set reform down a more sustainable path.
A shift in direction will not come easily, and international coordination
will inevitably remain challenging. Yet the costs of inaction
are enormous, and the benefits of a revised and reinforced approach
to SSR are huge.
3. "A 5-year timeframe is suitable
for setting strategic objectives around SSR where change
can be seen at a systemic level. The assessment proposes
5-year objectives for how the international community might improve
the SSR process, how this will improve the security sector and
thus how it will contribute to wider goals of conflict prevention
and state legitimacy:
"A clear strategy for SSR, based
on principles of shared ownership and mutual accountability, which
balances capability, accountability and responsiveness, backed
by a long-term vision for sustainable resourcing of the security
sector, has been agreed and is being implemented.
"...This leads to…
"An improvement in the capability,
accountability and responsiveness of security sector institutions
(including management and oversight bodies) to provide security
and justice to all citizens, regardless of gender, ethnicity or
any other factor.
"…which in turn contributes
towards…
"Reformed security sector institutions
making a significant positive contribution to preventing conflict
and improving citizens' security and access to justice.
"POSSIBLE ACTIONS
4. "The assessment identified
a number of areas where there are challenges regarding in SSR
in DRC. It argues that the challenges are as much political and
strategic in nature as they are about capacity and technical expertise.
The assessment refrained from making firm recommendations, but
it proposed a number of 'possible actions' that the international
community could take to strengthen how it approaches and supports
SSR.
5. "The table below presents
a summary of possible actions grouped into three broad categories:
a. "Strengthening the international
approach to SSR in DRC
b. "Dialogue with Congolese
actors
c. "Areas for greater support
| Strengthening the international approach to SSR in DRC
|
| 1 | International dialogue to ensure common understanding of SSR in DRC
|
| 2 | Ensure regular international coordination at the political/strategic level on SSR
|
| 3 | Mapping of donor resources relating to SSR in DRC
|
| 4 | Support MONUSCO to reinvigorate SSD Unit
|
| 5 | Shared vision and coordination between EU, MONUSCO and bilateral actors on defence reform
|
| 6 | Donor coordination on post-2014 support to police reform
|
| 7 | Ensure SSR programmes have appropriate balance of field-based and Kinshasa-based staff
|
| Dialogue with Congolese actors
|
| 8 | International-GoDRC dialogue on understanding SSR, key goals and strategies for achieving them
|
| 9 | Joint development of a long-term strategy for resourcing the security sector, based on principles of mutual accountability
|
| 10 | Encourage GoDRC to improve internal coordination and international-GoDRC coordination on SSR
|
| Areas for greater support
|
| 11 | Integrate work on sexual violence in conflict into broader gender work
|
| 12 | Greater policy attention and donor support re security line ministries
|
| 13 | Increased international engagement with parliament on security matters
|
| 14 | Develop Congolese academic and civil society capacity on SSR
|
| 15 | Explore how public sector reform programmes can best address the security sector
|
| 16 | Expand support for community security approaches to SSR
|
| 17 | Promote Congolese-led centre-province exchanges on SSR
|
| 
