Citation

Peters K. Int. Migr. 2007; 45(5): 35-59.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration [and] Research Group for European Migration Problems)

DOI

10.1111/j.1468-2435.2007.00426.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Under-age and youthful combatants are the major participants in contemporary African conflicts and, therefore, the largest group to be disarmed, demobilized and reintegrated when peace agreements are signed. Programmes to support this process, so-called disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programmes, usually have two main objectives: 1) to reduce security risks; and 2) make ex-combatants less dependent upon their home communities once returned. However, badly designed or implemented DDR programmes can jeopardize a country's fragile peace and rehabilitation process.