Military or Hybrid Solutions for Border Patrolling in Liberia?

2008

Expeditionary Border Security Operations: Eliminating the Seams by LTC Michael J Zinno, US Army Reserve, 56 pages. Within the context of the current US government endeavor to unify its actions and build partner-nation military capabilities in the Global War on Terror (GWOT), this monograph seeks to determine the potential value of utilizing expeditionary interagency border security teams (BSTs) to conduct border security operations and training during theater security cooperation activities. Specifically, this monograph answers whether border security operations will assist nations in countering destabilizing elements within their nations and, subsequently, impacting the operational scope and capability of global terrorist networks that threaten US national security.

This paper examines SSR in the context of Liberia, paying attention to prevailing challenges, whether and how the recommended elements were applied, and what could have been done to improve upon the SSR program. The paper is organized as follows: first, there is general examination of SSR, the main actors, objectives and challenges. Secondly, a historical overview of Liberia’s conflict is provided, concluding with an expose on outstanding elements in Liberia’s context. Next, Liberia’s Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration & Rehabilitation (DDRR) program is examined, with an overview on its successful and unsuccessful elements. This is followed by a review of the core SSR of the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), highlighting their respective successes and challenges. The paper concludes with a general look at the strengths and weaknesses of SSR in Liberia, with recommendations for future SSR initiatives in Africa.

Small Wars Journal, 2008

Future battlegrounds increasingly blur the boundaries between war, crime, and terrorism. Lawlessness usually follows disorder and accelerates the process of state failure by eroding the state's monopoly of violence and preventing the growth of legitimate enterprise. This essay advocates the development of expeditionary police (Expol) capabilities for future small wars.

2003

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Post-War Security Sector Reform in Liberia, 2021

This book is a unique collection of analyses by experts on security sector reform in Liberia and beyond. All contributors have worked for years in Liberia and been concerned with the matter in sectors ranging from the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and Government to Civil Society and Academia. The publication thus brings together insider experiences and reflections from various perspectives. It covers a range of topics and presents a comprehensive picture of major issues in security sector reform. An introductory chapter outlines the debate and reflects on the University’s contribution to reform. The Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation (KAICT) at the University of Liberia is a nodal point in sharing, creating and disseminating knowledge on security sector reform, and the authors have engaged in joint reflection and discussion for many years. The book further analyzes developments in the core issue areas of the National Security Strategy, rebuilding of the armed forces, security sector legislation, civilian-security actor relations, reflecting on the state of reform, and progress and limits thereof.

PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2004

Ewing, U.S. Army Reserve (AGR), 60 pages.

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies supports the development of U.S. strategic policy toward Africa by providing high-quality academic programs, undertaking policy-relevant research and analysis, and fostering awareness of and open dialogue on U.S. strategic priorities and African security issues. Toward these aims, the Center is committed to building networks of African, American, European, and international military and civilian leaders and articulating African perspectives to U.S. policymakers.

2002

INTRODUCTION In July 2000, the South African Border Police Head Office received approval on a new format for its detached border police. Under the new system, police officers are recruited and appointed to border posts for six months. In addition to this, they are given a financial incentive. Under the previous detached system, police officers were sent for border duties on a two to three month rotation system. However this was not delivering the desired results of addressing cross-border crime. As soon as the police officers were trained in their functions at the border post, it was almost time for them to return to their permanent station.

In April 2013, the United Nations (UN) commended the government of Liberia for consolidating peace in the country. The UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has begun to drawdown its 15,000 troops in the country, but has said it will continue to promote greater cohesion in Liberia. 5,000 UNMIL troops will remain in the country, and the UN will support the government of Liberia to recruit and train 7,000 national troops in time for UNMIL's final withdrawal in 2015. The UN mission in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) is working with the government on a national DDR process, with COMNAT (National Commission of Small Arms and Light Weapons) facilitating the process. Over 60,000 former fighters had to be disarmed. It is also estimated that around 3 million arms are in circulation in the country (IRIN October 2012). The proliferation of weapons and the presence of uncontrolled military and armed groups are the main challenges to personal security and national stability. In addition, many of the 46,000 internally displaced Ivoirians are still living with host families, while those who have returned home are struggling to rebuild their lives. Although many who had fled to neighbouring countries have returned to the country, they now face considerable uncertainty and insecurity in reintegrating.