The struggle after combat: the role of NGOs in DDR processes, synthesis study

Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) has emerged as a pre-eminent tool for states emerging from intra-state conflict. Much research on the subject has focused on the specifics of ‘DDR design’ and its applicability as part of wider ‘political’ processes - the authors of this paper claim there is little recognition of their potential value as implementers of the process. Surely NGOs, as representatives of civil society, are ideally placed to play a vital role in post-conflict society rebuilding?

With this in mind the authors of this paper seek to determine how NGOs can collaborate with parties that normally play a leading role in DDR processes, such as the military and UN agencies. They pinpoint five key areas where NGOs could contribute:

• as an international advocate
• as a representative of domestic stakeholders
• as an implementing agent
• as an intermediary
• as a complementing agent.

Three case studies are examined - Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) and Sierra Leone – and the strengths and weaknesses of NGOs in relation to each of these roles assessed. The authors’ findings/recommendations include:

• many NGOs possessed experience and expertise with regard to capacity building, training, rehabilitation and community mobilisation - these virtues closely correspond with some of the common flaws and deficiencies of DDR
  
• the potential role of NGOs increases with a transitional or transformational perspective of DDR i.e. longer-term integration of ex-combatants in society and wider changes in society, in a way that will eventually put guns out of use
  
• there was no evidence that the NGOs represented society or acted as a counterweight to the state in the DDR processes studied. Eligibility criteria, reintegration options and the guidance on offer to ex-combatants, were decided in a centralised manner. NGOs basically served as contractors
  
• because they fell in line with top-down, blueprint approaches, NGOs became responsible for some of the key programmatic shortcomings of DDR, such as inadequate training and toolkits and a lack of sensitivity to local needs
  
• there is a need for a more consultative, less top-down approach with a more prominent role for NGOs. With regard to implementation, numerous problems for NGOs – such as lack of capacity, poor coordination and competition, and even corruption – need to be addressed
  
• the need for NGOs to be ‘DDR sensitive': an awareness of the DDR process and alertness to opportunities in order to make a positive contribution i.e. how best to complement the numerous actors (Government agencies, the UN, the World Bank, bilateral agencies, local artisans etc).