Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 12/2010

Democracy and the Chain of Command: A New Governance of Africa's Security Sector

Dominique Djindjéré

November 2010

Africa Center for Strategic Studies

Abstract

As many African countries continue down the path of democratic reform, Africa’s defense and security forces must make fundamental changes to adapt to a democratic model of governance. In this paper, General Djindjere puts forward five priority reforms Africa’s defense and security forces should pursue to facilitate this transition. In addition to building professionalism, the legitimacy and trust security forces will gain in the eyes of their compatriots from this process will lead to greater effectiveness and popular support for national security efforts.