In countries moving out of conflict, (re-)creating effective and accountable security and justice institutions is essential to anchor peace and accelerate development but only if these institutions can serve their populations within a constitutional order based on respect for human rights and the rule of law. In such contexts, security sector reform (SSR) is the process of developing the capabilities, organizational cultures and institutional frameworks that govern the security and justice sector so that organizations with the power to coerce provide security – instead of insecurity – in a legitimate manner. The central insight of SSR is that security organizations must function as public service institutions in an accountable and efficient manner, if they are to support broader developmental progress. SSR contributes to this endeavour by gradually increasing the extent to which formal, hybrid and informal security forces act as professional providers of public services, based on international standards of human rights, gender equality and accountability.
SSR is a critical area of support for United Nations peace operations. An important success factor in creating a conducive environment for sustained peace and the promise of development depends on whether United Nations peace operations are effective in fulfilling their Security Council mandate. In concrete terms, this entails supporting national authorities in making security institutions more people-centred, more effective and more accountable.
