How do countries deal with armies after war? What is the best way of integrating ex-soldiers into peace-time societies? This World Bank discussion paper assesses demobilisation and reintegration programmes (DRP) in several countries including Namibia. It asks how successful the Namibian government has been in restructuring its public expenditure in favour of poverty-oriented programmes and peace efforts.
In 1990, Namibia got its independence. The demobilization of opposing forces took place in the context of a United Nations- supervised war-to-peace transition. According to this study, neither the United Nations nor the new government planned any reinsertion or reintegration assistance to ex-combatants. In response to protests from disaffected veterans, the government hastily designed a number of ad hoc activities.
Consequently, the Namibian demobilization and reintegration programme resembles a patchwork of well-intended responses rather than strategic government policy and a planned programme. The research found that:
- With no coherent targeting mechanism in place and uneven registration to link ex-combatants to the benefits safety net, targeting leakages were numerous and substantial at all stages of the process.
- Ex-combatants from both sides seem to have greater difficulty than returnees or stayers (those who remained in the country) in coping with civilian life.
- Disabled ex-combatants have access to a rehabilitation programme. However, projects suffer from several shortcomings: (1) Skills training provided seems inappropriate, (2) the economic prospects for the disabled on completion are limited, (3) beneficiaries consequently suffer from lack of motivation.
- None of the eight resettlement projects has become self-sufficient. Several sites suffer from remoteness from markets, infrastructural deficiencies, and inadequate soil fertility. Furthermore, drought has undermined agricultural production. Settlers have developed a marked dependency syndrome.
- Economic reintegration has proved difficult. Given the low level of skills, ex- combatants are ill-equipped to find gainful employment in the formal sector.
- Despite its shortcomings, the San Bushman resettlement programme has assisted the target group reasonably well in its difficult dual transition to civilian and sedentary agriculture-based life.
The report found that the greatest contributor to ex-combatant dissatisfaction with the government was the discrepancy in its government’s promises and the reality of an opportunity-constrained environment. In the paper’s general policy recommendations, the following are of particular relevance to Namibia:
- Elements of a successful implementation strategy are: (a) Provision of a minimum assistance package, (b) simplicity in delivery, (c) decentralised decision-making, and (d) building on existing social capital and reorienting local institutions.
- The classification into several target groups and subgroups should be based on the ex-combatants’ mode of subsistence and, hence, on their different needs, requirements, and aspirations.
- Surveys and studies should be conducted during programme preparation and should seek socio-economic information about ex-combatants and information about the land, credit, and employment opportunities they are likely to encounter in rural and urban areas.
- A short period of encampment reduces health and security threats and costs.
- Urban reintegration is complex and requires a diversified approach with detailed planning. Essential components are: (1) Counselling (2) placement and referral (3) vocational and apprenticeship training (4) employment subsidy schemes.
- Coordination within government and between government and other relevant actors is important in maximizing the effectiveness of programme interventions. The establishment of one civilian agency with overall design and implementation responsibility serves this purpose best.
