What are the linkages between disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR)? This paper argues that there is a complementary relationship between DDR and SSR, and that they should be better integrated in peace building.
Despite sharing the same objectives of contributing to peace and stability, few attempts have been made to link DDR and SSR interventions at conceptual and policy levels in Africa. They have major impacts on each other in the peace building process. Disarmament and demobilisation are often conducted before SSR is addressed, but set the context for reform by establishing the conditions of the security sector. Immediately following conflict, the deployment of external peacekeepers is critical. In the medium and longerterm, however, it is SSR that builds the capacity of security forces to ensure stability and protect the DDR process.
There are, though, a number of challenges in linking DDR and SSR in post-conflict African countries. These include:
- Gaps in the DDR process: Insensitivity to the plight of war-affected children and women and a skewed reintegration phase are two critical challenges that have far-reaching ramifications for SSR.
- Mistrust and mutual suspicion between national actors: This results in fragile peace and a lack of political will to lay down weapons. When DDR is stalled by non-compliance from parties, the adoption of SSR is inconceivable.
- Poor coordination from external supporters: This results in functional overlap, duplication of activities, waste and competition in roles.
- Limited national institutional capacity: This is a fundamental challenge for post-conflict transitional African states, hindering programme design and implementation and the management of funding.
- Lack of sustained funding support: External funding for peace building is critical for African states emerging from war. However, donors do not always honour their pledges and those that meet their commitments do not always do so in a timely or sustainable way.
- Sub-regional instability: Most African conflicts have regional dimensions due to porous borders and warlord networks. However, most DDR and SSR programmes are not designed to reflect this reality.
DDR cannot be implemented in isolation of broader processes of post-conflict peace building. It must be integrated with SSR at the inception phase of the peace process, especially in the case of politically negotiated settlements. This will help conflicting parties to buy into DDR and SSR and to build trust. Integrated planning and programming by international supporters is vital. Fragmented approaches to DDR undermine the success of the peace process and have adverse effects on SSR.
This integrated approach will require a shift in organisational culture within donors, especially the United Nations, and better coordination between them. Among the recommendations addressing lessons learned from post-conflict peace-building interventions in Africa are the following:
- Funding and technical assistance should be long-term and sustainable. Premature withdrawal of support can have the effect of reversing peace building gains.
- DDR and SSR should be planned so that key elements are eventually taken over by national government and civil society actors. This will require a commitment by post-conflict governments to build national institutional capacity.
- DDR and SSR should incorporate reform of rule of law mechanisms and security sector oversight bodies.
- Programme design should be flexible, and should incorporate the needs of women and children. Women shoulder an enormous burden in post-conflict societies.