An analysis of SSR and Sustainable peace in post-war and politically transitioning countries

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Throughout history, people have desired peace. Whether it be peace after a war, or transitioning from a dictatorship to a democracy, sustainable peace is constantly needed. Not only does sustainable peace refer to the absence of war, it includes the absence of violence as well. In order to achieve reform with sustainable peace, participation from all citizens is necessary. Though most of the peace building occurs among the top political leaders, the middle and lower class citizens are an important piece of the puzzle. If all of the power is given to the political leaders, peace amongst the civilians cannot, and will not, occur due to the instability their lack of any power will bring. Without a reform in a country’s security sector, there will be no sustainable peace. In order to achieve stability, sustainable peace, and a successful reform in a country’s security sector, the relationship between citizens and government must be mended. In Sri Lanka, an island off the southern coast of India, the government spent three decades fighting a group of rebels known as the Tamil Tigers, finally defeating the rebels in May of 2009. On November 10, 2013, Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa announced that the country was trying to establish sustainable peace. (Zemin) Rajapksa believes that sustainable peace will also help redevelop the country and repair some of the suffering endured by the citizens during the thirty-year war. The president said that many of the youth were deprived life opportunities during the war because they were often forcibly recruited by the terrorists and had just recently been rehabilitated and sent back into society after surrendering. Issues among Sri Lanka’s security sector included the lack of a sufficient military system and corrupted judicial department. These issues led to a slightly disorganized government and citizens who found

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