Strengthening Local Security in Eastern DRC: The Role of Local Actors in Security Sector Governance

Decades of conflict, political instability, and weak governance have left large parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) vulnerable to violence. In Eastern DRC, local conflicts over land, customary power and mining, leading to violence continue to challenge state authority, making local security governance essential for stability. During the Local Security and Peacebuilding course, security governance experts illustrated the important role of local actors in Security Sector Governance, Reform and Peacebuilding.

A delegation of Congolese experts discussing local security governance in Eastern DRC. ESPER programme Photograph: Mickael Franci/Cordaid

“Security governance at the local level is essential for sustainable peace. Local actors must be at the centre of the conversation.”

Thierry Kambere, Security Governance Expert, VNG International

Foundations of Security Sector Governance and Reform (SSG/R) in Fragile Contexts

Security Sector Governance and Reform (SSG/R) aims for security institutions to deliver the best security services to their citizens. Based on legality, accountability, participation, inclusion, and transparency, SSG/R plays an especially important role in peacebuilding in fragile contexts, explains Samir Marmouri, Head of the DCAF Office in Tunisia. A major challenge, according to Samir, is connecting national policies with local implementation. He adds that Security Sector Governance is a top-down approach with a bottom-up implementation, which poses a particular challenge in the transition from regime security to human security.

“Too often, security institutions in fragile states are designed to protect those in power rather than the population. Reform efforts must prioritise democratic oversight and citizen engagement to build trust and ensure security forces operate in the public interest.”

Key principles of effective SSG (DCAF) include democratic oversight, transparency, inclusivity and responsiveness, and efficiency and effectiveness.

Samir highlights the importance of localised solutions in fragile states, stating that “there is no one-size-fits-all model for security sector reform; each country must develop structures that align with its history, social fabric, and existing governance mechanisms.”

A decade of Local Security Governance in Eastern DRC

In Eastern DRC, localising security sector governance and reform has meant forming local security committees, including local chiefs, local justice authorities, police, civil society organisations, military, and migration authorities. Inclusivity and local ownership have been the guiding principles of the ESPER Project, gradually shifting security governance towards a human-security centered and community-based approach.

The ESPER Programme, implemented by VNG International and Cordaid and financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a key initiative addressing security governance at the local level in Eastern DRC by. Since its inception, ESPER has worked to strengthen local security committees, improve governance structures, and promote inclusive decision-making processes by strengthening capacity and accountability. Inspired by best practices from the Netherlands, the programme supports the connection between local and national governance levels in a global and coherent security governance system in DRC.

Key successes of ESPER include:

• Institutionalising Local Security Committees as platforms for dialogue, identifying security concerns, and coordinating responses.
• Enhancing local ownership by fostering trust and accountability in governance.
• Structuring security diagnostics through regular meetings, taking into account different perspectives and highlighted those of affected communities, to assess security issues and develop action and operational plans as response strategies involving multiple stakeholders.
• Linking local and national strategies by providing technical assistance and training for all committee members and ensuring local security solutions are incorporated into broader security policies.
• Setting up coaching systems to guarantee support in helping local authorities solve citizen-related or technical problems.

The project’s greatest success is the formalisation and adoption of principles of good governance and best practices in a decree which officially recognises Provincial and Local Security Committees (PLSCs). Approved by the Council of Ministers and chaired by the President, this step solidifies the long-term security governance system at the local and national level.

Ten years on, the impact of the project extends beyond Eastern DRC. In February 2025, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior officially launched a nationwide campaign to popularise the new security governance framework. This initiative, conducted with government funding, included capacity-building sessions for over 700 mayors and community leaders, and training workshops for provincial and security actors in five provinces, highlighting state ownership and sustainability beyond external support.

The Future of Peacebuilding in Eastern DRC: A Local Approach

Despite progress, armed groups continue to control large areas of Eastern DRC, threatening the sustainability of local security governance. To ensure a continuation of efforts and impact, Thierry Kambere highlights four strategic priorities:

1. National adoption: Implementing security committees across all provinces with government backing.
2. Sustainable financing: Integrating security governance structures into national, provincial, and local budgets.
3. Capacity strengthening for local actors: Investing in skills training and institutional development to sustain reforms beyond international project funding.
4. Implementation of action plans:  Emphasising pertinent recommendations from local security commitees to eliminate root causes of local conflicts between armed groups.

“Security sector governance should not be seen as an external intervention but as a tool to empower local institutions and communities to take charge of their own safety and stability. Without strong local actors, national reforms will fail to address the root causes of insecurity.”

– Thierry Kambere, VNG International

Conclusion

The role of local actors remains critical to peacebuilding. As seen in Eastern DRC, local security governance initiatives effectively address human security, bridging the gap between national policies and local implementation. Our upcoming Local Security and Peacebuilding course provides a great opportunity to discuss successful local security initiatives like this one with practitioners working on peace and stability in fragile contexts in The Hague.

“True security must include local actors who understand the everyday security concerns of their communities.”

– Samir Marmouri

Local Security Committee meeting including vulnerable and affected groups. Photograph: VNGI