Justice and Security Reform ─ Development Agencies and Informal Institutions in Sierra Leone

In a context in which security sector reform has become a pervasive development strategy, Justice and Security Reform considers the necessity and difficulty of engaging with informal (as well as formal) actors in this context, whilst assessing the impact of this engagement on the effectiveness of development programming. Following a trail of poor results, development practitioners are increasingly using innovative development strategies in post-conflict states, such as security sector reform, in an attempt to create the stability needed for investment and development. One of the first attempts of this kind was conducted in Sierra Leone and projects and lessons from this experience have since been adapted to subsequent programmes around the world. Focusing specifically on this attempt, the book argues that in not engaging with the primary locus of security provision in Sierra Leone, informal actors such as chiefs and secret societies, the effectiveness of reforms has remained limited. Informal actors are a common feature of many fragile and conflict-affected states, and including them in SSR programming is, it is argued, crucial if reforms are to produce sustainable improvements.

Lisa Denney is a researcher at the Overseas Development Institute working on issues of security, justice, development and fragile states. She completed her doctorate in International Politics at Aberystwyth University on security and justice reforms in Sierra Leone.