Norway and security sector reform in developing countries

This report looks at the role of security sector reform in Norwegian assistance to peace building in developing countries. It reviews the evolution of thinking around external assistance to security sector reform; discusses the policies and programmes of the main donor agencies; provides an overview of Norwegian support to security sector reform; illustrates a case study of Southern Africa; and provides suggestions and recommendations for the future role of security sector reform in Norwegian support to peace building and development.

Recommendations of continued development assistance include:

• finalising a policy document on peace building which includes approaches to security sector reform; this involves continued engagement with the policy discussion within the OECD Development Assistance Committee
• continuing to use multilateral and regional organisations as channels for delivering support to reform of the security sector
• developing skills and programmes in delivering bilateral assistance to civilian democratic governance of the security sector in Norway’s partner countries
• using the Norwegian military and police as channels for delivering niche products in strengthening operational capacities of institutions in the security sector
• applying a regional approach and regional support channels to assist security sector reform in individual countries
• improving coordination and information sharing between the different Norwegian government departments and stakeholders involved in security sector reform.

[adapted from authors]