The challenges of multi-layered security governance in Ituri
There has been a slow, but growing awareness among external actors that some local non-state security actors should be involved in security governance in conflict-affected situations. Often these actors consist of local authorities, such as customary chiefs, village elders, or business people working in collaboration with different kinds of self-defense groups.
The idea behind ‘multi-layered’ security governance is that the inclusion of local non-state actors in security governance will improve security provision to people because they have more legitimacy. But in reality ‘multi-layered’ security governance is often marked by conflict and competition as much as by collaboration and common solutions to people’s security problems.
This policy brief of the Justice and Security Research Programme at the London School of Economics can be accessed here.
(Photo credit: MONUSCO)