Thematic Area : DDR

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DDR description

Over the past few decades a sizeable number of African countries, drawn from across all the AU regions, have undertaken some form of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) process. Effective DDR can be a crucial element of stabilization and recovery interventions and DDR processes are often amongst the fundamental preconditions for establishing stability. Conversely, poorly conceptualised and delivered DDR may undermine stabilisation efforts and even be a cause of further conflict and insecurity. It is important that every effort is made to ensure that DDR interventions are well designed, effectively delivered and properly coordinated with wider stabilization, recovery and development frameworks.

DDR interventions have increasingly been called for in complex security and political environments where responses often have to be undertaken in situations where security remains fragile, and that many of the historically stated preconditions for DDR are not present. With many conflicts increasingly having cross border dimensions it is also increasingly important that policy frameworks and approaches are also regional and transnational in nature. This includes ensuring that DDR approaches consider the regional dimensions of conflict and the potential both for the recycling of combatants and the frequent high mobility of armed groups. In recent years DDR programmes have also had to consider issues related to violent extremism and terrorism.

Important knowledge has been gained and lessons learned about DDR on the continent by; member states, REC’s/RM’s, the AUC, civil society and others. Some of these experiences have been collated and summarised here against several core themes, which are described below.

DDR description

DDR Institutions and Instruments

In many situations specific institutions have been established at the national level to support the development of DDR policy and the development and delivery of interventions. Lessons learned related to this are highlighted here along with a sample of potentially useful forms and checklists from several country programmes. The important principle of national ownership is highlighted and explored.

DDR Institutions and Instruments

Demobilization and DDR

Demobilization is defined as the formal and controlled discharge of active combatants from armed forces or other armed groups. The first stage of demobilization may extend from the processing of individual combatants in temporary centres to the massing of troops in camps designated for this purpose (cantonment sites, encampments, assembly areas or barracks). The second stage of demobilization encompasses the support package that is often provided to the demobilized, which is called reinsertion. Under this thematic area an analysis of the experiences related to different types of demobilisation approaches used – including encampment, non-encampment is made, and issues related to the spontaneous return of ex-combatants are explored. Lessons learned related to the registration of ex-combatants are specifically identified.

Reintegration and DDR

Reintegration is defined as the process by which ex-combatants acquire civilian status and gain sustainable employment and income. Reintegration is essentially, economic and political process with an open time-frame, primarily taking place in communities at the local level. It is part of the general development of a country and a national responsibility, although external assistance with it is often required. Under this theme available data and lessons learned on economic and social reintegration and common programme modalities and models; including community-based and family support are identified.

Gender and DDR

Long term reforms and restructuring in security architecture and governance in post conflict situations have frequently been impacted by approaches to initial DDR in transitional settings and vice versa. Documents on the linkage between DDR and SSR are collated here and some of the key issues and lessons learned identified.

DDR and Countering Violent Extremism

DDR and Countering Violent Extremism
The radicalisation and de-socialisation of persons associated with violent extremist groups is a current concern but also one that has featured before on the continent. In this section the challenge this provides for DDR and available evidence on how those who have adopted extremist ideologies or intentions are managed and rehabilitated is considered.

Youth and DDR

In a number of settings the recruitment (forced or otherwise) of youth into armed groups and challenges with their social and economic reintegration has posed specific challenges. Available documents on programme responses to youth, and specifically their reintegration are collated and considered here.

DDR and Foreign Fighters

A significant number of conflicts affecting the African continent have had cross border and regional impacts – and DDR programmes have often themselves been part of this dynamic. In a number of conflicts foreign fighters have also been a significant feature of conflict dynamics and their DDR has posed specific challenges. Issues related to regional conflict and foreign fighters are explored here.

Gender and DDR

DDR and Human Rights

With DDR, increasingly being delivered in complex environments those implementing DDR responses are not only faced with the challenges of working in difficult security environments, but also practical challenges associated with ensuring respect for human rights and the protection of ex-combatants and communities more widely in such situations. Key issues and lessons learned related to this are highlighted here, including those related to DDR and Transitional Justice.

DDR and M&E

With considerable resources expended on DDR activities there is growing importance attached to the establishment of effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks for DDR programmes. Available literature on approaches to M&E in DDR are collated and synthesised under this thematic area.