Security sector reform by intergovernmental organisations in Libya

Abstract

In our paper we aim to examine the contribution of three inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) to Libyan Security Sector Reform (SSR) by providing case studies of their activities carried out in Libya. The starting point of our analysis is the military intervention of 2011 based on UNSCR 1973, since it contributed greatly to the regime change. Even though it is not part of the SSR, its dynamics must be displayed. We identified three stages in the evolution of the Libyan crisis (2011–2014, 2014-2017, 2017–2019), thus the activities of our IGO’s are examined separately within each time period. In our paper we build on Law’s (2013) guide on SSR field activities and we seek to apply that specifically to the case of Libya. Our aim is to evaluate the variance of SSR activities by comparing the IGOs` theoretical SSR activities to those that were allowed to occur by the circumstances in Libya. Analysing the SSR activities of three different international organizations (European Union, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, United Nations) we find that their actual activities and commitments are lagging be - hind their theoretical commitments towards SSR. Libya has not experienced a truly peaceful period ever since the protests of the Arab Spring broke out in early 2011. The international community contributed significantly to the regime change by intervening militarily. Nevertheless, the military intervention was not followed by a successful state building process. Even though several international organizations are active in Libya and committed to reform the country’s security sector, a striking success is still missing.