It is a sad fact that internal conflicts often destroy years of economic and social growth in countries. The breakdown of infrastructure, including education and health services, the loss of trade and revenue, and of life, are only some of the effects of violent conflict. Countries in Africa are particularly hard hit by protracted conflicts that wear down those services that may have existed in the past. In the aftermath of these conflicts, the recreation (or in some cases creation) of structures and institutions to promote development and growth is vital. The process of post-conflict reconstruction - the re-establishment of basic infrastructure, governance processes (including criminal justice systems and security forces), and social and economic development - is the practical work that must be undertaken to assist countries to reach self-sufficiency after protracted internal turmoil.

The need for a government to provide for the security of its citizens during this process is critical. If, in the absence of state-provided security, non-state forms of security grow and overtake developing state security structures, the ability of the latter to be the foremost structure for public safety, in the longer term, may be jeopardised. This risk is exacerbated when large numbers of weapons are circulating and are easily available: either for illicit purposes or for self-protection.

The provision of security is therefore a prerequisite for post-conflict reconstruction and sustainable development and must be included in plans for development assistance. While sounding like a truism, the reality is that, among countries and international organisations, and especially those which provide development aid, this is a fairly recent realisation. Traditionally, there has been a reticence among donors to provide assistance for creating or improving security forces and the equipment necessary to perform their functions. This can partially be attributed to the accepted focus of development assistance on economic growth, education and health. However, the devastation wrought by recent conflicts, and the difficulty in providing assistance in areas of insecurity, have made it clear that to build and sustain economic and social development, the focus must be broadened to encompass additional issues which affect reconstruction and stability, including the ability of the state to provide for the security of its people.

Thus, when the UN advisory mission to the Sahara-Sahel region in 1995 recommended that a ‘security first’ approach was adopted in the provision of development assistance, it complemented what some organisations had begun to realise: without the provision of security the long term stability of a country and its citizenry could not be guaranteed. Moreover, insecurity was often preventing the implementation of projects and the provision of aid — in Somalia, the Red Cross announced its decision to suspend its work in Mogadishu following the abduction of several of its workers. Thus, donor countries have initiated projects that include training for police forces, for example, the development of community policing in Ethiopia. Sierra Leone has recently requested assistance to develop its police force.

However, the inclusion of security in the development agenda should not be at the expense of other facets of development, such as strengthening civil society, and health, education and economic development. The approach of donors must be an integrated one that provides those elements most likely to ensure long term stability and development for the recipient country.