Demobilization and re-integration of ex-combatants,its effects on development

Demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants are post war reconstruction efforts that facilitate the consolidation of peace as well as the promotion of development in post conflict zones. The absence of peace derails development through such factors like the loss of human capital; destruction of infrastructure; prevalence of hunger and diseases; decline of foreign direct investment; absence of a democratic political system, societal as well as a vibrant economic structure which are all necessary ingredients for development.

Demobilization is a result of an end to conflict or a result of peace negotiations made by parties to the conflict which encompasses the process of removing weapons from the hands of combatants as well as taking the combatants out of military structures during post-conflict peace building .It is therefore, the disbanding and discharging of combatants who have been actively involved in war. This definition of demobilization is derived from the UN Peacekeeping Department which notes that demobilization is the formal and controlled discharge of active combatants from armed forces and groups, including a phase of “reinsertion” which provides short-term assistance to ex-combatants. Reinsertion is a support package provided to the demobilized ex-combatants prior to the long term reintegration  which covers the basic needs of ex-combatants and their families thus safety allowances, food, clothes, shelter, medical services, short term education, skills training, employment and tools.

 Reintegration is a long-term, it is a process of returning former combatants to their community of origin. Reintegration entails a process by which ex-combatants acquire civilian status and gain sustainable employment and income. It also involves a political, social and economic process with an open time-frame, primarily taking place in communities at the local level followed by monitoring and evaluation of the ex-combatants.  

 Ex-combatant refers to someone who previously and actively participated or used for war purposes.

Development as a result of its manifestations and causes shall mean the transitional movement of a society from the causes of war to peace .The main thrust of demobilization and reintegration is to reduce former combatants’ ability and desire to renew combat or to engage in criminal violence whilst at the same time turning them back into productivity members of the society on a more sustainable basis in order to enhance societal development.

Mitigation of armed conflicts and establishment of peace is one of the ways in which demobilizations impacts positively on development .In that armed groups or ex-combatants through demobilization are disarmed, disintegrated, disbanded and discharged from their military structures and camps as was witnessed after the second chimurenga in Zimbabwe. Thereby mitigating the susceptibility of the ex-combatants from re-arming and returning back to war .In that war derails development as it result in the destruction of both the political economy and social moral fiber which is the key cornerstone  on which development is hinged upon. More often, war leads to the destruction of infrastructure critical for the provision of services needed for development like education and health facilities which is the current position in Syria.

 Demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants prevents the mass rape and mutilation of women, girls and boys, child soldiering is rampant in Somalia due to the existence of Al Shabab and also in Afghanistan due to the prevalence of Al Quade and the Taliban. These crimes against humanity under the international humanitarian law are a gross human right violation which is tantamount to the suffocation of the promotion of human security.  Thus demobilization through such processes like debriefing, reorientation, and counseling are imperative in the process of turning ex-combatants into productive members of the society and as well as facilitate the long transitional movement process from war to peace which would translate into the promotion of development in general .

 Failure to demobilize and reintegrate ex-combatants will provide a fertile ground for the reoccurrences of war as happened in the current DRC crisis whereby it is estimated that more than   8 000 ex-combatants have re-entered the war in the North Kivu province. Examples of a successful demobilization and reintegration by the AU and UN were seen in the case of Angola in 1999 ,Burundi 2009,Liberia 2009,Zimbabwe 1980 in which it can be safely asserted that these countries has enjoyed relative peace that has promoted social, economic and political advancement of the afore-mentioned  countries.

In addition to the afore mentioned point recreational, education, job training skills, and psycho-social counseling activities  conducted during demobilization are also important factors that impact positively on development .For instance through such demobilization activities like education, former child soldiers are assisted in resuming their education due to the fact that war results in the destruction of educational facilities like schools as well as the failure of children to attend school. Therefore through such psycho-social support programs like the resumption in education, demobilization plays an important role in enhancing human capital development which has been previous disrupted by the emergence of conflict .Moreover, pre-discharge orientation and information and referral programs also prepares and direct combatants for the upcoming transition to civilian life and also increases their confidence as well as change their perceptions in not viewing war as the only tool to make a living or put forward a grievance .

Put in other words ,psycho-social support programs through the demobilization process plays an important role in mitigating the notion of viewing the use of violence to pursue different goals as well as reducing the risk of ex-combatants fuelling up new violence which in other terms has a negative bearing on societal reconstruction and development .This is being premised on the fact that many combatants have been victims or perpetrators of horrendous violence and  this may have left deep emotional and psychological scars that may be reflected in depression, apathy and  rage  only to mention a few. Thus psycho-social support is an important tool for post-war trauma counseling and reconstruction to which if it is not carried out it will result in the returning of ex-combatants to war as violence will be viewed as a normal way of life and survival.

Furthermore demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants also plays an important role in mitigating the risk of spreading HIV/AIDS and other diseases which has an enormous challenge in the quest for development in the third world .According to Human Right Watch the mass rapes carried out by rebel movements such as the M-23in the DRC, Joseph Kony’s Lord Resistance Army in Uganda, CAR and Sudan has led to the widespread of STIs and HIV/AIDS Amongst the victims.

The promotion of human security is also one of the key positive impacts that demobilization has on development. Demobilization of ex-combatants is one of the factors that promotes human security in post conflict zones .In that during conflict situations ,human security is not guaranteed as it results in the infringement of the once sacrosanct fundamental human rights and freedoms with notable examples being the Somalian crisis ,the recent Central African Republic crisis .In which the failure to guarantee human security has resulted in not only various forms of atrocities and casualties  being committed against  civilians but also on the combatants side .Thus with demobilization ,the probability of ex-combatants regrouping or re-arming is minimized .To which this does not only  enhance the prevalence of peace but also leads to the promotion and realization human rights .In that human security entails the protection of  political ,social and economic rights from harm that can lead to such unpleasant factors like massive exodus of refugees which can also result in brain drain as happened in the cases of DRC ,Somalia and the recent South Sudan crisis. Therefore the promotion of human security can be denoted to mean the promotion of democracy as well as development in general.

Demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants plays an important apart in economic recovery of a country as it restores investors’ confidence, as well as creating conducive environment for the flourishing of economic activities in general. This is so basing on the fact that violent conflict disturbs the performance of productive economic sectors due to such factors like limited human resource as well as financial investments; destruction of industrial sites; the disruption of the production chain of raw materials as happened in the case of failed states like Libya, Central Africa Republic, and Somalia. Successful demobilization and reintegration has led to economic recovery as has been recorded in the case of Rwanda in the aftermath of the horrendous and despicable 1994 genocide in which the relative prevalence of peace in this country has helped Rwanda to become one of the fast emerging economies in Africa.

Furthermore, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants has a positive bearing on development as it facilitates national healing, reconciliation as well as promoting socio-economic and political pluralism and toleration .National healing and reconciliation helps in mitigating the risk of ex-combatants being treated like outcasts, which  will force them returning to their old ways of using violence or force  as a means of survival .Therefore ,the promotion of national healing and reconciliation through such factors like peace and justice commissions as notable in the case in the case of Rwanda’s war crimes tribunals development enhanced in unifying once divided and broken societies .

 In addition to the afore mentioned point, demobilization and reintegration plays an important role in not only returning ex-combatants to the civilian life but also gives them a sense of responsibility in contributing positively to national development .Ex-combatants during these processes are equipped with psychological, technical and financial support aimed at making them active productive members of the society who are divorced from the use of violence .This can be noted in the case of Sierra Leone through a UNAMSIL “Stop Gap Program” in which 6 000 ex-combatants participated in rebuilding infrastructure they destroyed during the war .

However on the other side of the spectrum it should also be acknowledged that demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants has its own flaws like the diversion of national funds from other development activities .It should be noted that demobilization and reintegration are not a one day process but takes much time and requires a lot of funds .In Somalia demobilization was not a success due to such factors like limited funding as noticed by ‘The Mandhera’ encampment in Somaliland which had a capacity for 1,200 ex-combatants but held about 5,000. After six months the encampment was abruptly closed because it was badly planned, poorly resourced and raised unrealistic expectations of massive training and employment. Widespread unrest among the demobilized followed until they dispersed and returned to their militias which were potential sources of instability.

In summation, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants promotes human freedoms, restores investor confidence, political pluralism, tolerance and infrastructural development in post war torn communities .Thus in the quest of sustainable development it is imperative to note that peace processes through demobilization and reintegration of former combatants are core in reducing and ending civil wars.