Intelligence Literature

Understanding the Role of Intelligence Services in State-Building: The Case of Kenya

The intelligence sector of any state plays a major role in safeguarding national security, and in the extreme, it acts to preserve the very survival of the state. Even though maintaining effective control and oversight over intelligence services is as important to the democracy “as maintaining control over the armed forces, intelligence services have received much less attention from scholars and those supporting the democratization process” (Caparini 2007, 3).

The research available about intelligence services in developing countries is mediocre at best and research is virtually non-existent regarding intelligence and state-building. We know very little about the role of intelligence services in the making of states in general and postcolonial states in particular (cf. Goscha 2007, 100f; Chappuis and Hänggi 2009, 31).

Reforming intelligence services in emerging democracies is one of the most important and difficult activities facing any government. In order to achieve democratic consolidation, controlling intelligence services is vital for several  reasons. First, as the organization in charge of internal security and regime protection, it is important that it operates within the rule of law without abusing its authority. Second, authority and civilian control are needed to ensure that the elected government holds genuine control over the monopoly on violence. If this is not achieved the intelligence services risks remaining or becoming a state within a state effectively preventing democratic consolidation (cf. Macdonald 2007, 301; Bruneau 2001, 337; Boraz 2009, 84).

Even though the role of intelligence services is essential for liberal, open, and democratic state-building to occur, we know little of the exact role of intelligence services in the state-building process. I believe that it is important to better understand this process in order to be able to enhance support for the democratization process in emerging  democracies, something that is even truer regarding African states, where academic research traditionally has had a difficult time understanding state-building (cf. Herbst 2000, 3f). If authoritarian regimes are to reform the tools and manuals must be available, precisely and simply explained by Wilson Boinett:

“I believe [former Kenyan President] Moi wanted to reform the Special Branch but he did not know how to proceed. It had never been done in a similar context before and there was no information available on what to do or how to proceed.” (Boinett 2010).

Read the rest of this entry »

If you are interested in Intelligence Studies, like I am, you might appreciate this little known gem. Text below copied from www.ssrnetwork.net

Changing intelligence dynamics in Africa

What is the role of intelligence services in Africa? What effect have changing security, political and normative dynamics had on this role? This publication from the African Security Sector Network and the Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform examines the changing dynamics affecting intelligence services in Africa. It argues that intelligence services are significant players in Africa and that intelligence reform has invariably proceeded alongside broader political evolutions.

Several layers of changing dynamics have influenced and continue to impact upon African intelligence services. Changing political dynamics have seen reform of intelligence services, after the post-colonial era in which intelligence services were focused primarily on regime protection. The security agenda has also changed, with Cold War struggles giving way to terrorism and civil wars as the major issues for African intelligence services. Finally, while a culture of secrecy is still the norm the normative dynamics around intelligence services in Africa are also changing.

Findings from case studies of intelligence services in a number of African states include the following:

* The colonial roots of Kenya’s Security Branch gave it a reputation for oppression. It was only in 1998 that Kenya’s intelligence services began to institute democratic principles and upgrade its staff and codes of conduct.

* While Uganda has been implementing military reforms, the intelligence sector has been largely ignored. The security services should keep pace with Uganda’s political transformation and become professional intelligence units operating within the law.

* Since 1994, South Africa’s intelligence services have undergone significant changes. However, reform has also been constrained by the post-conflict situation.

* Ghana’s intelligence oversight mechanism is clearly still a work in progress. Nevertheless, Ghana’s intelligence agencies have undertaken administrative, organisational and institutional reforms, contributing to political stability.

* Given the colonial legacy, intelligence services in the Great Lakes region have come a long way. However, their poor record as a whole suggests that the region has a long way to go towards intelligence reform.

Despite growing recognition that intelligence should be part of Africa’s security sector transformation agenda, analysis of intelligence has lagged behind that of other security institutions. Areas for further research include:

* The mandates and legal status of intelligence services in Africa – There is a need to continue to document and critique the legal status, role, mandates, power and structure of the intelligence services in Africa.

* Regional dynamics and regional interactions of African intelligence services – Analyses of intelligence services from regional perspectives should be extended through empirical research and interaction with security and intelligence actors.

* The pan-African and international obligations of African intelligence services – Research on the international legal parameters within which intelligence services operate could stimulate debate on appropriate norms for intelligence services.

* Secrecy, transparency and prospects for improved oversight in Africa – There is a need to document the conditions under which some African intelligence services have made tentative steps towards improved oversight of their structures.

* The role of intelligence – Existing research on this issue does not necessarily reflect the concerns of the developing world. Future research could explore the unique challenges and concerns facing African intelligence services.

Access full text here!