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ABSTRACT
This article explores how elite bargains affect external influence over civil-military relations. It argues that opportunities for security assistance arise from fragmented post-war coalitions and negotiations among rival factions. In post-civil war Liberia and Sierra Leone, the role of security assistance reflected bargains struck by ruling elites to consolidate their authority. Politicians used external backing to maintain fragmented coalitions while neutralising threats from factionalised armed forces. Reliance on security assistance enabled external influence through conditioning aid, delegated control, and day-to-day interaction. These cases highlight the importance of examining internal politics to explain the effects of security assistance.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes
1. Interview with British Military Advisers, Freetown, Sierra Leone, 2 December 2009.
2. Interview with Sierra Leone senior security official, Freetown, Sierra Leone, 6 December 2009.
3. Interview with Sierra Leone Ministry of Defence Official, Freetown, 12 December 2009.
4. Interview with Sierra Leone Ministry of Defence Official, Freetown, 12 December 2009.
5. Interview with Sierra Leonean security official, Freetown, 4 December 2009.
6. Ibid.
7. Interview with Sierra Leone senior security official, Freetown, Sierra Leone, 6 December 2009.
8. Interview with Sierra Leonean Defence Official, Freetown, 13 December 2009.
9. Interview with British Defence Adviser, 3 December 2009.
10. Interview with British security adviser, Freetown, 7 December 2009.
11. Interview with Sierra Leonean Defence Official, Freetown, 13 December 2009.
12. Interview with British security adviser, Freetown, 7 December 2009.
13. AFL Restructuring Commission, Restructuring Commission Report, 5, see also Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia, Consolidated Final Report,133.
14. Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Article VII.
15. Interviews with members of the Defence Advisory Council, Monrovia, January and February 2010.
16. Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Article VII.
17. Interview with U.S. Military Official, Monrovia 25 January 2010.
18. Interview with U.S. Ambassador John Blaney, Washington, DC 21 April 2011.
19. Interview with former U.S. Embassy Official, Washington, DC, 18 March 2010.
20. Interviews with members of legislature and civil society organisations, Monrovia, January 2010.
21. Interview with Minister of Defence Brownie Samukai, Monrovia, 28 January 2010.
22. Interview with U.S. Ambassador John Blaney, Washington, DC, 21 April 2011.
23. Interview with former member of the Transitional Legislature, Monrovia, Liberia, 9 February 2010.
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Louis-Alexandre Berg
Louis-Alexandre Berg is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Georgia State University. His current research focuses on postwar state formation, security and justice sector reform, the effects of foreign aid and security assistance, and the local politics of organized criminal violence.