An Introduction to Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR)

1. An Introduction to Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Somalia Demilitarization Planning Unit (SDPU) November 2002

2. What is DDR? • History and Origins • Address standing armies in civil war, usually peacekeeping environment • Premise is that DDR Addresses Conflict: Avoid future criminality, continued conflict, or simply high and destabilizing Milex • Collect guns, demobilize and give alternative livelihoods to individuals

3. Put Simply… • Post conflict agreement reached • Forces are counted and screened • Disarmament occurs • Transitional assistance provided to individuals (and sometimes others) • Alternative livelihoods are provided

4. The Scope for DDR in Stabilization Strategies • Main element of post-conflict strategy – impacts? DDR in a vacuum is difficult • Is DDR the right way? Options to address combatants are many • Enforcement • Mobilize • Self-demobilization/traditional approaches • Do nothing

5. In-depth assessments: • In the absence of organized and easily identifiable military structures and formations (let alone personnel rosters, though these may exist), detailed initial assessments and analyses of the number and geographical distribution of combatants, command and control structures, and their organizational coherence is critical. This not only enables precise targeting and efficient planning, but can also start to generate important profiles on political orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, health issues, expectations and group priorities, which can be built upon later during registration processes and induction phases.