1. SESSION 4: DDR and SSR
Throughout history armies have grown in size as those whom they served prepared for war, only to shrink back once the war was over.
The end of a conflict is not the only reason that would a state to reduce the size of its defence force, it could also be a policy change (such as introducing a conscription system or ), a strategy, a result of modernization, a shift in allocation of public funds from defence to health, education or infrastructure.
Irrespective of the reason, demobilization initially applied exclusively to statutory forces, and essentially to national defence forces’ personnel.
DDR emerged as a “programming area” requiring the financial and technical support of the international community when it became apparent that non-statutory forces also required demobilization and support to resume civilian life as the number of internal conflicts increased while the number of interstate conflicts decreased.
Recent DDR programs/interventions supported by the international community (World Bank and/or UN, IOM, etc…) have concerned either regular military structures (Ethiopia), both regular and irregular forces (Burundi) or irregular forces only (Uganda)

2. Session objectives Understand the DDR concept and processes
Understand DDR principles and pre-conditions
Analyse the DDR/SSR Nexus
Highlight alternative approaches to DDR
Consider special target groups

3. In the past 20 years, DDR interventions has been closely scrutinized by practitioners and academic institutions to ensure that lessons were being learnt and that policy, guidance and practice continually improved.
Of these efforts, two are particularly noteworthy and reflect a fair degree of consensus in “DDR circles”:
the Stockholm Initiative on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, and which provides a set of sound recommendations; and
the Integrated DDR Standards released by the United Nations in 2006 after a year of consultations with practitioners from 14 agencies and a number of countries where DDR programs had taken / were taking place.
But let us now see what I mean by basic DDR…
DDR overview

4. DDR – Overview DISARMAMENT DEMOBILIZATION REINTEGRATION
DISCHARGE
REINSERTION
REHABILITATION
REINTEGRATION /
REPATRIATION OF FOREIGN COMBATANTS
COMBATANTS ON FOREIGN SOIL
Unpacking the acronym (definitions from IDDRS 1.20 or adapted):
Disarmament consists in the collection, documentation, control and disposal of small arms, ammunition, explosives as well as light and heavy weapons of combatants.
Usually, irregular forces (rebels) are disarmed separately from regular forces as it requires the setting up a system, while it is presumed that government troops will check their weapons into the armories.
Disarmament also includes the development of responsible arms management programs, and in some cases, the building of armories if none are in place.
Demobilization is the formal and controlled discharge of active combatants from armed forces or other armed groups. It may extend from the processing of individual combatants in temporary centers to the massing of troops in camps designated for this purpose (cantonment sites, assembly areas, barracks or demobilization centers.
Reinsertion is the assistance offered to former combatants during demobilization, prior to reintegration support. It is a form of transitional assistance to help cover the basic needs of ex-combatants and their families. It can include transitional safety allowances (cash), food, clothes, shelter, medical services, short-term education / training / employment, as well as tools.
It is a short-term material and/or financial assistance to meet immediate needs that can last up to a year or so.
Reintegration is the process through which former combatants become established in their communities and gain sustainable employment and income.
It is a social and economic process with an open time-frame, primarily taking place at the community level. It is a part of the general development of a country and a national responsibility that often requires long-term external assistance.
In some contexts,
DISARMAMENT
VERIFICATION
IRREGULAR FORCES
CHILDREN ASSOCIATED WITH ARMED FORCES AND ARMED GROUPS
REGULAR
FORCES
RESTRUCTURED SECURITY INSTITUTIONS
FAILED VERIFICATION – NOT ELIGIBLE FOR DDR SUPPORT
WEAPONS DISPOSAL

5. Definition and objective
DDR refers to the processes of:
demilitarising official and unofficial armed groups:
controlling and reducing the possession and use of arms,
disbanding non-state armed groups,
reducing the size of state [defense and] security services
assisting former combatants to reintegrate into civilian life.
Objective: Help create an environment in which the overall peace process can take root
IDDRS United Nations
DDR refers to the processes of:
demilitarizing official and unofficial armed groups by:
- controlling and reducing the possession and use of arms
- disbanding non-state armed groups,
- reducing the size of state [defense and] security services
Assisting former combatants to reintegrate into civilian life.
Objective: Help create an environment in which the overall peace process, political and social reconciliation, social and economic reconciliation, and longer term development can take root.
DDR can:
Provide a mechanism to separate combatants from at least some of their weapons and to begin to break up command structures
Provide rebel groups with a way of laying down arms without being seen as having surrendered
Begin to build trust and confidence among and between former combatants and non-combatants that enables other elements of the peace process (election, SSR and we will discuss this further shortly, reconciliation) and allow economic recovery to go forward, but
DDR cannot (elements that could be used later in presentation as well)
produce economic recovery and/or development
guarantee the successful reintegration reintegration of former combatants into society;
substitute for longer term programs to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons;
substitute for inadequate will on the part of the parties to the conflict or peace enforcement activities; nor can it
prevent conflict from recurring.
DDR must be seen as part of the political process of consolidating peace and promoting stability, not as a technical activity.
It should be tailored to the local context, the institutional and human capacities of the countries in which it takes place, and take into account the economic realities in conflict-affected .

6. Possible DDR context Intensity Time
Agreement and transitional authority
Negotiations
Violence
Escalation
Stagnation
Transition
Normalisation
Humanitarian
Military status quo
Peacekeeping
Elections
DDR
Elections
Refugees/ IDPs
Donors Conference
SSR
Trans. justice
DDR and
rebel integration
in security institution
Devel. Aid
And, as we saw during the session on SSR in a post-conflict context, this reality is a rather complex and challenging one.
UN Security Council Resolution
Time

7. Key principles National leadership (all parties to the conflict)
People-centered, inclusive and fair
Integrated in a comprehensive framework
Realistic plan
Flexible, accountable and transparent
National leadership and responsibility
It is critical that local actors lead the process and assume the responsibility for decisions about objectives, policies, strategies, program design and implementation modalities.
By local actors I mean government, armed opposition, and ideally, civil society.
People-centered, inclusive and fair: DDR programs must take all combatants into account (men, women, boys and girls) and seek to address their respective needs and, whenever possible and reasonable seek to benefit other war affected populations. It is particularly important to ensure that the communities in which the former combatants attempt to reintegrate also benefit.
Integrated in a comprehensive framework: DDR should not be a stand alone initiative, it should be part of a comprehensive framework aiming to enhance security, allow the consolidation of peace and socio-economic recovery. It is often closely linked to SSR and can be to transitional justice processes.
Given the sensitive environment in which DDR programs are executed, the must be well-planned and their design based on a realistic appraisal of problem and opportunities for implementation on the ground, and of external support available (financial, but also technical).
Flexible to adapt to changing circumstances without losing their integrity, accountable and transparent to ensure to inspire the confidence and trust of all stakeholders.

8. Pre-conditions Buy-in from the parties to the conflict
Agreed policy framework
Organisation to oversee the DDR process
International commitment to the peace process
Practitioners may not have a choice abouth whether, how or when to engage, as doing so may be necessary for political reasons.
Nevertheless, to be successful, a DDR program requires both technical and financial inputs (all must be in place to go through the different steps of the process). It also requires an appreciation of the political and security environment in which it is undertaken.
And before DDR operations can be initiated, the following preconditions need to be met at a minimum:
This buy-in from the parties to the conflict should not only come from the leaders involved in the peace negotiations, but also from their field commanders
Agreed policy framework: is DDR mentioned in the peace agreement? is the DDR operation to be undertaken detailed out in a program document? an operations plan? is the legal frameworkthat needs to underpin this operation in place? this should include eligibility criteria and agreement on the definition of combatant status.
Organization to oversee the DDR process: a national structure responsible for the design and implementation of the program must be identified or established
International commitment to the peace proces: financial support is critical, support to peace enforcement is too (peace keepers)

9. PESTLES framework for DDR
Political
Economic
Social
Technical
Legal
Environmental
Security
Issues related to DDR  categorised by help of PESTLES
Slide can be run as a buzz group. Give participants a few minutes to gather their thoughts and then ask them to put forward suggestions for each aspect.
Political
Trust/Mistrust
Targeting who benefits/priorities
Peace Agreement
Negotiations/mediations
Power balances
Legitimacy
Economic
Funding/impact on national budget
Reparations
Incentive packages
Natural resources
Sanctions
Jobs for former combatants
Training
Anti-corruption measures
Social - flag this as the hook into 2nd generation DDR and it then flows into Special target groups
Reintegration into communities/support to communities
Vulnerable groups
Family security
Recognition of the struggle
Recognition of ex-combatants
Trauma
Inclusivity
Technical
Sheer number of combatants/weapons
Logistics/Infrastructure
Weapons management systems
Weapons control
Reintegration planning
Legal
Peace process/Legal framework/International frameworks
Transitional justice
Specific legal framework for children
Environmental
Mine clearance
Weapon destruction impact
Impact of assembly areas or demobilisation sites/centres
Security
Minimum levels of security
Security vacuum
Border control
Refugees
Weapons management
Demobilisation centres
Perimeter security

10. Use this slide as a quick transition to a closer examination of the linkages between DDR and SSR.
DDR/SSR Nexus

11. DDR/SSR Nexus SSR DDR PSO Nexus State & human security
Both aim to be: Nationally owned, people-centered, rights-based, transparent and accountable, integrated, well-planned and flexible
Both aim to achieve or lead to:
sustainable dismantlement of illegitimate or undesirable armed groups and command structures;
appropriate resizing and restructuring of defence forces;
addressing the security and other needs of ex-combatants and associated vulnerable groups, as well as recipient communities as part of wider peace and security-building
Both part of a more comprehensive security and peace-building process (not panaceas).
Planned DDR and SSR processes and programmes aim to promote the prospects of security and long-term peace-building but also to address the needs of the weak and vulnerable as well as the relatively powerful (both change power relations).
Both are highly political and sensitive, as well as technical: «In highly politicised post-conflict contexts, it often becomes important to find ways to discuss the support, planning and implementation of both DDR and SSR programmes [and processes] as if they are in large measure rule-based technical procedures.
State & human security
Short-term urgent priorities/longer-term peacebuilding
Part of a broader stabilization/peacebuilding/development process

12. POST-CONFLICT STABILISATION LONGER TERM PEACEBUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT
DDR/SSR Nexus
DDR-SSR linkages in post-conflict contexts
Confidence building measures
Integration of former warring factions into security institutions
Right-sizing of security institutions
Assessments
Cease-fire monitoring
Successful reintegration of former combatants
Implementation of DDR/SSR clauses of peace agreement
Technical advice to mediation
Mapping of linkages in post-conflict context
PEACE AGREEMENT
POST-CONFLICT STABILISATION
RECOVERY /
PEACEBUILDING
LONGER TERM PEACEBUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT
NEGOTIATIONS

13. Alternative approaches to DDR
It is such challenges and the increasing deployment of UN operations in environment where the pre-conditions mentioned earlier were not met that have led practitioners to consider alternative approaches to traditional / classic DDR to complement the guidance available to date, in particular through the UN IDDRS.
And the terms “second generation DDR” and “interim stabilization” measures/initiatives entered the scene.
Alternative approaches to DDR

14. Alternative approaches to DDR
Practice and experience have led to:
Shift in focus: from combatants within military structures to the communities affected by armed violence.
Shift in emphasis:
To prepare the ground for traditional DDR when the preconditions for traditional DDR are not in place,
To complement traditional DDR activities during or after the process.
Whereas traditional DDR focuses mainly on combatants that are present in military structures (regular or irregular), the focus of second generation programs shifts towards the larger communities affected by armed violence.
Shift in emphasis:
Second generation DDR includes a number of different types of activities that can be implemented when the preconditions for traditional DDR are not in place, to prepare the ground,
Or,
To complement traditional DDR activities during or after the process – to support the peace process, build trust, contribute to a secure environment and help build the foundations for longer-term peace-building.
Instead of implementing relevant provisions of a peace agreement, second generation activities are programmed locally, using an evidence-based approach.
Three broad types of measures :
Post-conflict stabilization measures: these include emergency employment programs, reinsertion programs and interventions at the sub-national and community levels.
to respond to the threat to the peace process that armed violence at community level presents: community based security and violence reduction approaches (not new but now being incorporated in peacekeeping – Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Haiti)
Group specific interventions: targeting specific groups with different approaches and incentives – allows the targeting of armed groups that may not be signatory to a peace agreement.
Disarmament and dismantling of militias
Commanders and senior officers incentive programs
At-risk youth and gang programs
Pension schemes
And psycho-social recovery strategies
Alternative approaches to disarmament:
Sequencing flexibility (FUNDING may be a challenge)
Weapons management
Weapons for development and lottery initiatives
Such initiatives have showed some promise but remain largely untested.

15. Alternative approaches to DDR
Three broad types of measures:
Post-conflict stabilization measures
Group specific interventions
Alternative approaches to disarmament
Three broad types of measures :
Post-conflict stabilization measures: these include emergency employment programs, reinsertion programs and interventions at the sub-national and community levels.
to respond to the threat to the peace process that armed violence at community level presents: community based security and violence reduction approaches (not new but now being incorporated in peacekeeping – Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Haiti)
Group specific interventions: targeting specific groups with different approaches and incentives – allows the targeting of armed groups that may not be signatory to a peace agreement.
Disarmament and dismantling of militias
Commanders and senior officers incentive programs
At-risk youth and gang programs
Pension schemes
And psycho-social recovery strategies
Alternative approaches to disarmament:
Sequencing flexibility (FUNDING may be a challenge)
Weapons management
Weapons for development and lottery initiatives,
Such initiatives have showed some promise but remain largely untested.

16. Irrespective of whether we are talking about traditional DDR or Second Generation DDR, some groups require special attention.
SPECIAL TARGET groups

17. Special target groups Women as former combatants and as dependants
Children associated with armed forces and groups
Disabled and chronically-ill former combatants

18. Women as former combatants and as dependants
Females involved in armed conflict as
Combatants
Supporters (coerced or voluntary)
Dependants
Obstacles to female participation in DDR
Gender responsive DDR
Females involved in armed conflict as
Combatants
Supporters (coerced or voluntarily)
Dependants
Obstacles to female participation in DDR
Gender responsive DDR
What: two areas of interventions
Gender aware interventions
Female-specific interventions
When: at every stage of the DDR process
Peace negotiations
Assessment, planning and design
Program implementation
How: example of possible measures (handout)

19. Children associated with armed forces and groups
« Any person under 18 years of age who is part of any kind of regular or irregular armed force or armed group in any capacity, including, but not limited to: cooks, porters, messengers and anyone accompanying such groups other than family members. … [including] girls recruited for sexual purposes and forced into marriage. It does not, therefore, only refer to a child who is carrying or has carried arms. » Cape Town Principles and Best Practices, 1997
Allow participants to read the slide and introduce the next one reinterating the fact introduced in slide 4 that DDR of child soldiers is regulated by its own set of international norms.
If you are short on time, you can skip this slide and introduce the definition of «child soldier » or rather «children associated with armed forces and groups » as you bring up the next slide.

20. Children associated with armed forces and groups
International law:
Recruiting children under 18 and using them in hostilities is illegal
Recruiting children under 15 and using them in hostilities is a war crime
Early release
Specific reintegration support
Specific international legal framework (refer to handout)
Priority release, even before the end of hostilities if possible. Although obtaining from armed forces, and irregular armed groups in particular, that they release children is often a challenge requiring carefully timed and phrased advocacy by UNICEF and specialized national structures (as well as human rights organizations).
Reintegration support:
Family tracing and reunification
Mobilizing/enabling care system
Medical screening and health care
Schooling and/or vocational training
Psycho-social support
Social and community-based reintegration

21. Disabled & chronically-ill former combatants
Specific medical support
Specialized economic reintegration assistance
Deferral of program benefits to a family member when the former combatant is too disabled or ill to pursue economic activities themselves.
Assistance for former combatants who are disabled as a consequence of their service, or chronically-ill is tailored to their needs to the extent possible and may include:
Specific medical support
prosthetic limbs – some programs in Latin America had former-combatants learn to make those; improvements also benefit other members of the community affected by the same disability or suffering from similar chronic ailment.
For illnesses requiring long-term medical treatment such as HIVAIDS, programs need to link-up with other national initiatives.
Specialized economic reintegration assistance
Deferral of program benefits to a family member when the former combatant is too disabled or ill to pursue economic activities themselves.

22. DDR is not a stand-alone activity
DDR & SSR are inter-related
Not just technical or linear
Context matters greatly
Special target groups require particular attention