Pliny The Elder is quoted as saying:

Ex Africa semper aliquid novi - (There is always something new in Africa)

This is of course nonsense other than to those who have little knowledge and/or understanding of Africa.

Much is predictable in Africa as elsewhere expect to those who attempt to transplant principles and approaches from Europe or North America directly without thought.

Training the police is as fruaght with difficulties as training the militaries.

Kenyans five times more likely to be shot dead by police than by criminals

British aid focused on reforming Kenya's security services fails to slow deaths at the hands of police force considered among the world's most corrupt
and then:

Providing training and advice to reform the country's security sector and its police is part of the £125 million that the Department for International Development gives Kenya in aid each year.
Now here is the crunch:

Significant chunks of Britain's aid for police reform was directed to establishing the Independent Police Oversight Authority, which despite a staff of 80 has so far failed to complete any investigations more than two years after it was formed.
The sad truth is that the Brits are achieving absolutely nothing in Africa, and probably neither are the French... so what chance have the Americans or for that matter the Chinese?

Quote Originally Posted by Red Rat View Post
Absolutely.

I would also observe that SSR generally focuses on the military at the expense of the police forces and that both are required. Furthermore a degree of competence in the police while raising the competence of the military could induce a degree of competitive stability into the security sector dynamic that may enhance stability overall.