Security Governance in Post Conflict Peacebuilding

Caption

“Rebuilding Security Post‑War: Accountability, Reform, and Peace from the Ground Up.”

 Synopsis

Security Governance in Post‑Conflict Peacebuilding (2005), co‑edited by Alan Bryden and Heiner Hänggi, is a pivotal reference for understanding how fragile societies rebuild security systems after internal conflict. Produced under the auspices of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), the book introduces a security governance framework that goes beyond traditional state-centric reforms—linking security sector reform (SSR) with disarmament, demobilization, reintegration (DDR) and rule of law and transitional justice.

Through a rich set of case studies and essays, contributors explore:

• How SSR must be embedded in broader governance structures and inclusive political processes.
• Strategies for embedding DDR efforts within security reconstruction—combatting arms proliferation, reintegrating former combatants, and addressing child soldier dynamics.
• The re-establishment of justice systems and transitional justice mechanisms to restore rule of law and public trust.
• The importance of engaging non-state actors—including civil society, traditional authorities, and international partners—to fill security gaps where state presence is weak.

Chapters also analyze how international institutions and local communities can collaborate to support long-term, democratic security governance and prevent relapse into conflict.

 Why It Matters

This volume marks a cornerstone in post-conflict security thinking—emphasizing that peacebuilding requires integrated responses rooted in accountability, justice, and institutional resilience. It remains essential reading for policymakers, peacebuilding practitioners, researchers, and students engaging with post-conflict recovery and democratization.