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Email this citationCIAO DATE: 04/03
Security and Development in Sierra Leone
Lotta Hagman
June 2002
Executive Summary
In Sierra Leone and elsewhere, the fields of security and development are intrinsically linked and cannot be treated as separate spheres. Just as activities by security actors have an impact on development programs, development activities have security implications. More work is needed in defining a common agenda at the intersection of security and development in order to foster strategies in both areas that are mutually reinforcing. On an operational level, making development thinking part of a peacekeeping operation from the outset, both in planning and implementation should be a priority.
There is a need for an integrated regional UN strategy for West Africa. Over the past year, the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) has been successful in keeping the peace and beginning to address long-term peacebuilding issues in Sierra Leone, but the conflict in Liberia threatens to spill over the border. In order to consolidate a lasting peace, the UN should not only support the work of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), but may also consider the creation of a regional peace operation to eventually replace UNAMSIL.
A key challenge for Sierra Leone is the successful reintegration of former combatants, including child soldiers, into society. Providing ex-combatants with means of supporting themselves is crucial so that they do not pose a threat to stability. It is equally important however, to address resentment of this "special treatment" from victims of former abuse as well as other civilians. One way of abating the problem is to treat former combatants, not separately but as part of a larger group that needs to be resettled. Another is to provide resettlement benefits to the communities in which ex-combatants relocate rather than to the ex-combatants themselves.
Security Sector Reform is under way in Sierra Leone but may not be carried out to a satisfactory level before UNAMSIL starts to pull out and hand over remaining security responsibilities to the armed forces and the police. The bloated armed forces need to be reduced, while the police force needs to significantly increase its ranks. The police in particular is lacking in resources and facilities, making it difficult to maintain law and order necessary for economic development.
The Sierra Leonean government, with support from UNAMSIL and the rest of the UN Country Team is quite successfully addressing administrative issues such as decentralization and restoration of basic services throughout the country. However, governance problems such as corruption need more attention. Initiatives by the United Kingdom have advanced transparency and government accountability but more remains to be done. NGOs can play a great role, and as women are, for the most part, kept out of policy making in Sierra Leone, they remain a largely untapped resource for new leadership with fresh ideas and approaches.
In contrast to NGOs and other civil society groups, Sierra Leonean media shows little potential for acting as a check on the government; many journalists partake in gossip and some spread rumors in return for money. International actors should contribute to the professionalization of the media, for example through targeted training.
In spite of vast mineral resources, economic development is not taking place in Sierra Leone and needs to be encouraged further by international actors. Along with the debt relief package for Sierra Leone supported by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, a business climate needs to be created facilitating serious investment. As part of a broader initiative, a program could be created to entice the return of individuals from the large Sierra Leonean diaspora to invest in the country.
Sierra Leone is in the unique situation that it has both a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a Special Court created to deal with human rights violations committed during the ten-year conflict. While the former will focus on victim participation and reconciliatory measures, the latter will prosecute those individuals most responsible for human rights atrocities such as mutilation and rape. It is important that the legal relationship between these two institutions is defined in order for them to become mutually reinforcing. Especially important however, is that they both support the development of the domestic court system.
Coordination is an issue that is much talked about but not much practiced. In Sierra Leone, the UN has attempted to overcome problems by concentrating the positions of Humanitarian Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General into one person. This innovation has bridged the gap between UNAMSIL and other agencies and could be more widely used in UN missions. In order to avoid gaps or duplication, a lead agency should also be appointed in each issue area.
Funding is a problem in Sierra Leone, not only in terms of limited resources, but also in terms of timing. It has been the case that vital programs have been held up due to delayed funds. For example, while demobilization and disarmament was, at the time of the workshop mostly completed, the reintegration program of former combatants was delayed due to lack of funding. For security and development to have a chance of becoming mutually reinforcing, this delay in implementation of key programs must be avoided.
