Disentangling the Determinants of Successful Demobilization and Reintegration

Based on a sample of over 1000 ex-combatants in Sierra Leone this study sought to explore individual, group and community level determinants of reintegration success defined as whether ex-combatants have been accepted by their families, found employment, rejected their faction as a political actor and accepted the democratic process. One of the key determinants impacting on an individual’s prospect of gaining acceptance from family and neighbors was found to be the perceived abusiveness of the unit in which he or she fought - suggesting that this should be factor considered in the targeting and design of future interventions.