The role of norms, culture and identity in security sector reform: the cases of Liberia and Sierra Leone

Abstract

The main argument of this paper posits that SSR should be approached as an instructive and learning process, which may present the key to instilling the tools to sustainable peace and good governance in a post conflict environment and particularly in Security Sector Reform (SSR). An analysis of the identity, culture and norms that underpin the societies of Liberia and Sierra Leone has been emphasised as a critical point of departure with which to examine the progress and shortcomings of the SSR processes in these two post‐conflict states. Establishing that there needs to be a more interactive communicative process between the external actors’ involved in the SSR process has been emphasised while acknowledging the need for the recipients of the reform to resonate with the proposed reforms.