Co-Chairs’ Statement

of the International Workshop on 
“Enhancing UN Support for SSR in Africa: Towards an African Perspective”, Cape Town, 7-8 November 2007

Co-hosted by the Republic of South Africa and the Slovak Republic

1. The International Workshop on “Enhancing UN Support for SSR in Africa: Towards an African Perspective” was held on 7-8 November 2007 in Cape Town, South Africa, with more than 150 participants representing 47 countries, including 25 African countries, the African Union, including ECOWAS and SADC, and the United Nations system as well as several non-governmental organisations. A joint initiative by South Africa and Slovakia, with the support of UNDP, Canada, Norway and Switzerland, this Workshop was organised in the context of the ongoing debate on security sector reform (SSR) within the United Nations. The workshop was co-chaired by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of South Africa and Slovakia, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and H.E. Mr. Jan Kubis.

2. As a follow-up to the open debate of the UN Security Council held on 20 February 2007, the Workshop was meant to further discuss the role of the UN in supporting SSR with a focus on Africa. The objectives of the workshop were to: (i) Provide a forum for African states to identify and initiate a debate leading to a common African perspective on security sector needs and governance in all its aspects; (ii) provide a forum for Africans to make conceptual and policy contributions to the on-going efforts to articulate a common SSR concept for the United Nations; (iii) make policy recommendations for improving coherence, coordination and comprehensiveness of UN and donor support to SSR in Africa.

3. The Workshop noted that an ineffective and poorly governed security sector can represent a decisive obstacle to peace, stability, poverty reduction, sustainable development, rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights. In this context, security sector reform may be of critical importance if it is a nationally-owned process that is rooted in the specific needs and conditions of the country in question.

4. The Workshop observed that there is still little empirical research and understanding of how SSR actually functions in different contexts, non-conflict and post-conflict alike. It was noted, however, that the primary objective of SSR is to enhance the security of the citizens of a country. To this end the main strategies are to make the security services more effective and efficient, and to enhance democratic governance of the security sector. It was also agreed that SSR needs to be holistic, context-specific, nationally owned, be undertaken with a long-term perspective, and be located within a broader democratic political and governance framework. 

African Experiences in SSR

5. While recognising that the need for SSR is not specific to Africa, the Workshop identified some of the unique challenges confronting SSR in Africa as including the general low level of economic development on the continent, the fragility and weakness of several African states and the complexities arising from the simultaneous intervention of several external actors. 

6. The case studies on South Africa, the Sudan, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Guinea-Bissau, served to illustrate some of the challenges and opportunities facing SSR on the African continent. The case of South Africa illustrated the importance of a consultative, inclusive, locally driven and locally funded SSR process. The case of the Sudan demonstrated the challenges and complexities of addressing SSR issues within the context of a peace agreement. The case of Sierra Leone highlighted the importance of clear political commitment and leadership to SSR from within the country and the crucial long-term support and the benefits of a wide consultative process. The case of the DRC highlighted the complexities of the regional dynamics, the problems that flow from uncoordinated external support to SSR, particularly in respect to the continuing challenges of reintegrating ex-combatants, and making the linkages between DDR and SSR processes. The case of Guinea-Bissau highlighted the challenges associated with implementing an SSR process in a fragile environment with severe resource constraints.  

Key SSR Issues in Africa

7. The Workshop identified four key SSR themes of particular relevance in the African context. These include (i) local/national ownership; (ii) national capacity building; (iii) regional and sub-regional actors and dimensions of SSR; and (iv) the role of external assistance in SSR.

8. Local ownership means that SSR needs to be shaped or driven by local not external actors, with external actors playing a supportive and enabling role. Local ownership also means that a range of domestic actors including the government, the security services, parliament, and civil society ought to be involved in the development of SSR. The challenge is to ensure external support for local initiatives rather than local support for external initiatives.

9. Capacity building was recognised as a key challenge to SSR in many African countries. Capacity building entails efforts to empower knowledge and skills in relation to understanding, designing and implementing SSR and the delivery of security. The net result should be the enhancement of security in a country. 

10. The discussions underscored the importance of the role of regional and sub-regional actors in supporting SSR in the African context. Organisations such as the African Union, including ECOWAS and SADC have already supported SSR activities in the framework of their conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding strategies. In this regard, the participants noted the centrality of the AU’s Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) framework. Furthermore, it was agreed that regional actors can facilitate external engagement in SSR, play a coordinating role, and promote a human security agenda.

11. The Workshop acknowledged that external financial and technical assistance in supporting SSR efforts is essential. This support should be provided in a facilitating and empowering manner and should not be imposed. The primary responsibility for SSR rests with the national states. 

The Role of the UN in Supporting SSR

12. The Workshop noted that the UN should play a role in supporting SSR activities. This role could include norms and standard setting, coordination, facilitation, convening forums and dialogue on SSR at the global, regional and national levels, and the provision of impartial technical advice on a range of SSR issues. The results of this workshop should be reflected in the preparation of the Secretary-General’s report. In this context, Member States ought to be fully involved in the consultation process. 

13. The Workshop acknowledged that there is a need for a coherent UN concept for SSR which includes appropriate norms, principles and guidelines. Once such a common understanding has been developed, there is a need for greater clarity on the roles and responsibilities of the various UN entities. It will be important to ensure that the UN has sufficient capacity to carry out these roles and functions.

Follow-up

14. In order to sustain the momentum, and to derive maximum benefits from the Workshop, a number of follow-up activities were identified: (i) the Co-chairs undertake to bring the results of this workshop to the attention of the Member States of the UN; (ii) the Co-Chairs have agreed to inform the African Union and the European Union or other international organisations of which they are members, as appropriate, about the conclusions and outcomes of the workshop; (iii) the Co-Chairs encourage the African Union to further develop a common SSR concept and strategy in close collaboration with the UN, and African sub-regional and civil society organisations.