Login (DCU Staff Only)
Login (DCU Staff Only)

DORAS | DCU Research Repository

Explore open access research and scholarly works from DCU

Advanced Search

Does a more participatory approach to reintegrating ex-combatants lead to better outcomes? Evidence from Sierra Leone and Liberia

Kilroy, Walt orcid logoORCID: 0000-0003-2247-5288 (2014) Does a more participatory approach to reintegrating ex-combatants lead to better outcomes? Evidence from Sierra Leone and Liberia. Conflict, Security and Development, 14 (3). pp. 275-308. ISSN 1467-8802

Abstract
Programmes for the Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants are intended to support the peace process in which they are embedded. Yet their outcomes are not always clear. Calls for a more holistic approach with greater local ownership have often been made, but can be difficult to implement. This study of DDR in Sierra Leone and Liberia applies the concept of ‘participation’, which means genuinely involving intended beneficiaries in the process. It is based on semi-structured interviews with a range of stakeholders, and a survey and focus group discussions with ex-combatants. There is little indication of a participatory approach: ex-combatants reported serious problems with information, consultation, and input to decision-making. However, where greater participation is seen, there are statistically significant associations with better outcomes in terms of work, economic status, and community relations. The data illustrate how post-war social capital can be built up—or undermined—by the degree to which reintegration processes were participatory. Participation, social capital, and loss of faith in the process are seen to be significant in the way DDR can contribute to the wider peace process.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:conflict; Sierra Leone; Liberia;, DDR; disarmament; demobilisation; reintegration; ex-combatants; peacebuilding; civil war; social capital; participation
Subjects:Social Sciences > International relations
Social Sciences > Political science
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Humanities and Social Science > School of Law and Government
Research Initiatives and Centres > Institute for International Conflict Resolution and Reconstruction
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
Official URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14678802.2014.923151
Copyright Information:© 2014 Taylor and Francis
Use License:This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. View License
Funders:Irish Research Council
ID Code:25528
Deposited On:23 Feb 2021 17:00 by Walt Kilroy . Last Modified 23 Feb 2021 17:00
Documents

Full text available as:

[thumbnail of DDR and participation (Kilroy 2014) [Accepted Manuscript].pdf]
Preview
PDF - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader
685kB
Downloads

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Archive Staff Only: edit this record