Anthony Cleland Welch

Who is Anthony Cleland Welch?

Anthony Cleland Welch OBE is a UK-based former soldier, UN official, politician and academic who has contributed to the debate on security sector reform and post-conflict development and regeneration. Welch adheres to the view that it is not enough to merely reform the armed forces, police and justice sector. If reform of the security sector is to be effective for the creation of sustainable peace and development, with the interaction between the security sector and political and economic reform and regeneration being significant, then it cannot be confined to matters of civilian control of the armed forces. Much more must be done to introduce security, human rights and good governance to a post-conflict situation. A decision has to be made as to just how far the reform process should involve itself in areas that do not deal with the relationship of a civilian government to its agencies of enforcement. A wider, more holistic, approach to SSR is apt to use a broad comprehension of security and will be faced with making decisions on which areas of governance and the wider social needs of the population should fall within its orbit.