Requirements For Security Sector Reform Success
Abstract
This monograph determined that political and economic stability are required for Security Sector Reform (SSR) success over the long term. This monograph studied the efforts of the United States in Kenya and Mali to determine if political and economic stability are necessary requirements for SSR success over the long term. This study suggests that states with stable political and economic institutions will benefit from SSR over a longer duration. Kenya was a success case; the United States conducted SSR activities in a relatively stable state resulting in a state that positively affects local and regional security issues. Mali was a failed case; the United States executed SSR activities in a politically and economically unstable state. This instability resulted in a military coup in 2012 with Mali unable to affect security within its own territory or the region, effectively negating SSR efforts by the United States. This study did not determine a threshold for stability in any particular institution but recommends as a start point, a comparison of state institutions in the region to determine stability relative to the regional environment of the targeted state. This study recommends that operational and strategic planners measure political and economic stability prior to executing SSR activities to suggest the probability of SSR success. If SSR activities are required regardless, planners must take measures to ensure some level of stability in the state or risk failure in SSR.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 26, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1022299
Entities
People
- Lucas J. Yoho
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College