Security Sector Reforms and Governance in Post-Conflict Environment: An Assessment of Nigeria and Liberia

The IUP Journal of International Relations, Vol. VIII, No. 4, October 2014, pp. 54-67

Posted: 10 Sep 2015

Date Written: September 9, 2015

Abstract

The post-conflict security environments in Nigeria and Liberia are essentially characterized by fallouts of militarized traditions that evolved during the period of conflict in both the countries. The personalization of state security in Liberia is matched with constitutional provisions in Nigeria that effectively place the police and army under the operational and policy directive of the president. Consequently, Taylor’s use of the infamous Anti-Terror Unit (ATU) and Nigeria Joint Task Force (JTF) bear profound similarities as instruments of state brutality. Liberia’s need for judicial reforms and democratic oversight in security sector governance is mirrored in emerging developments regarding the activities of the Nigerian military and police in Internal Security Operations (ISOs). The paper traces the historical developments of these deficiencies, establishing their connection with a confrontational military ruling tradition that is more emphatic in Nigeria. Since ISO operations are beginning to resemble war time operations, the paper recommends that reforms will most likely forestall a slide into further chaos, citing previous occurrences in the early 1960s that had primed the country for implosion.

Suggested Citation

Fyanka, Bernard B, Security Sector Reforms and Governance in Post-Conflict Environment: An Assessment of Nigeria and Liberia (September 9, 2015). The IUP Journal of International Relations, Vol. VIII, No. 4, October 2014, pp. 54-67, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2658030

Bernard B Fyanka (Contact Author)

Redeemers University ( email )

Ede, Osun State
Ogun State
Nigeria

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Abstract Views
311
PlumX Metrics