Hybrid security governance in Africa: rethinking the foundations of security, justice and legitimate public authority

Hybrid Security Governance Responses to Crises: The Case of the Ebola Response in Sierra Leone

“…Hybrid security governance refers to the multiplicity of sites of political authority and governance where security is implemented and negotiated (Bagayoko et al 2016). In this paper, it is used to refer to the interwoven relationships and interactions between formal and informal institutions and the processes that deliver security, justice and governance services.…”

Reimagining SSR in Contexts of Security Pluralism

“…In contexts of pluralism, formal and informal governance systems do not necessarily feed into each other in predictable ways, and neither is inherently conducive to meaningful public oversight (Bagayoko et al 2016). It is vital for SSR practitioners to contribute to fostering an environment in which all security actors are subordinated to citizen control and oversight.…”

“…These advantages notwithstanding, coercive actors operating outside the purview of the state are often associated with discriminatory and unaccountable security provision (Bagayoko et al 2016) and human rights violations (Kirsch and Gratz 2010;Arias 2006), and ultimately prolong and increase insecurity over time, despite periodic contributions to stability (Meagher 2012). Some security providers command the state's recognition, sponsorship, or tolerance, collaborating with its courts and police services to co-produce public goods; some are exploited, with the state co-opting them to project its rule; others are ignored, marginalized, isolated, criminalized, or violently subverted.…”

Policing for Conflict Zones: What Have Local Policing Groups Taught Us?

“…Alternatively, there can be mutually beneficial exchanges of economic, cultural and symbolic capital. Local policing providers may also overlap in their practices, as they sometimes borrow 'successful' or locally recognised processes that have no history in their own institution (Bagayoko et al 2016). For users, 'multi-choice policing' (Baker 2008) may offer the advantages of 'forum shopping' or the disadvantages of weak enforcement outside limited and fluid jurisdictions.…”