Security sector reform in Lesotho: Observations from a three day dialogue series

The aim of this paper is to highlight the main challenges facing security sector reform in Lesotho.

This paper highlight the main challenges facing security sector reform in Lesotho, drawing on the key themes that emerged from a three-day dialogue series held in Lesotho in April 2000. The primary aim of the dialogue series is to encourage healthy civil- military relations in a country where these relations have been subjected to considerable stress. This paper recounts some of the areas of agreement and disagreement that emerged, as well as key challenges and proposed plans that were raised at the meeting. 

About the author

Diane Philander holds a BSc Hons (Wits) majoring in Geography, and an MSc in Development Planning from the University of the Witwatersrand. She joined the ISS as a senior researcher and as the co-ordinator for the Security Sector Transformation Programme in March 2000. Her previous work involved capacity building for conversion of military resources for human development.

She was particularly involved in the sphere of conversion of military land (base conversion), which in South Africa has become an issue through both the land reform programme, and with the Department of Defence declaring some of its bases redundant due to budget cuts.

Diane is currently registered for a PhD with the University of the Witwatersrand. The focus of her PhD is on base conversion and local economic development in South Africa. Some of the awards she holds include: Foundation for Research and Development Bursary, Wilfed Orr Scholarship, Centre for Scientific Development Bursary, Mellon Scholarship.