UN DDR In an Age of Violent Extremism: Is it fit for Purpose?

This report starts by recognising that many current DDR efforts are confronted by complex strategic environments in which DDR is often undertaken alongside ongoing military operations and insecurity and that many current conflicts are attracting foreign terrorist fighters and criminal gangs and groups. Specific Chapters explore; (a) challenges posed for UN DDR programming when DDR is mandated to occur in the shadow of on-going military operations, (b) the relationship between countering violent extremism (CVE) terrorism rehabilitation, and DDR programming, and, (c) the growing overlap between ‘detention’ and DDR programming. Findings from field research carried out in Somalia are used to further explore some of the challenges and opportunities raised.