Stockholm Initiative on Disarmament Demobilisation Reintegration: Background Studies

The Stockholm Initiative on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration was initiated with the aim of proposing ways and means that can contribute to the creation of a predictable framework in which DDR processes can be planned and implemented. The primary aim of DDR programmes is to contribute to a secure and stable environment in which an overall peace process and transition can be sustained. It is only in this kind of environment that political and security restructuring as well as social and economic reconstruction and longer-term development can take root. A DDR programme is just one of many elements in a peace process. This is an obvious but often ignored facto A clear view on the potentials and limitations of a DDR programme is required in order to maximize its contribution to a peace process. It is also a highly political clement. When implemented, the DDR programme should ideally influence and contribute to a secure environment that can provide minimum basic conditions to enable long-term development without the immediate threat of violent conflicts. The issue of Security System Reform often considered to be another crucial clement in a war to peace transition thus has close linkages to DDR. This is an area where the report welcomes further studies. DDR programmes must also be designed and implemented in conformity with other parallel programmes that also influence the successor failure of peace processes (i.e. justice and reconciliation, community-based reconstruction etc.). It is critical to ensure that a combatant need not return to using violence to survive. This report therefore endorses the provision of what has come to be known as a 'transitional safety net' that enables the combatant to survive, take care of his/her family and cope while adjusting to his/her new status as a productive member of society. This immediate short-term focus is called reinsertion so as to separate it from the longer-term focus of sustainable reintegration that ideally should lead to development. Creating alternative incentives to violence for ex-combatants makes it less likely that they will disrupt ongoing peace efforts while awaiting a more long-term, sustainable reintegration and return to a productive civilian livelihood. Concurrently, the local communities need to be taken into account. On the one band they require capacity to absorb returning soldiers. In addition, realization that the process is also positive for the communities is needed so as not to create new tension and sow the seeds for renewed conflict. Thus, the report endorses the idea of establishing parallel programmes early on to provide communities with support for receiving ex-combatants as a direct complement to the DDR programme.