China calls on integrated strategy in security sector reform in post-conflict countries: envoy

A Chinese envoy to the UN said Thursday that the reform of the security sector in post-conflict countries should use integrated strategies to ensure sustainable peace and stability.

Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the remarks at a Security Council meeting on security sector reform (SSR).

In recent years, UN has actively assisted the post-conflict countries in their SSR efforts and achieved positive results, Wang noted, citing Sierra Leone, Liberia as successful examples.

"However, in some other post-conflict countries, SSR is still faced with considerable challenges," said Wang, calling on countries to share good practices and lessons on the issue.

The envoy stressed the importance of adherence to host country ownership, saying that SSR should be owned by the host countries. He also called on the UN to adapt to different post-conflict environments in offering SSR assistance.

He urged the strengthening of the integrated strategy, saying that UN should ensure that SSR is conducted in tandem with achieving national reconciliation, promoting social, economic development and poverty eradication, so as to achieve the removal of root causes of conflict for lasting peace and security.

Wang also said that regional and sub-regional organization, such as the African Union, can play a bigger role in supporting SSR.

The Security Council unanimously adopted the first stand-alone resolution on security sector reform in April 2014. The resolution underlined that the reform of the security sector in post-conflict environments is critical not only to the consolidation of peace and security but also to promoting the rule of law and good governance, extending legitimate State authority and preventing countries from relapsing into conflict. Enditem