National post-war recovery in a regionalised security environment : adequacy of the Sierra Leone disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programme

Abstract

In post-Cold War West Africa, an environment has emerged that has proven conducive to the supply and recycling of arms and combatants. The collections of arms, and a sustainable demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants, are central challenges faced by many war-torn countries in the region. The point of departure for this study is Sierra Leone, which is in the process of recovery after a devastating eleven-year-long civil war. The focus is on the strategies to facilitate the process of converting soldiers to citizens in Sierra Leone, in light of the regional security dynamics.

The study builds on an integrated approach to security in that it acknowledges the interconnectedness of national, regional and individual security. It takes into account the interplay between these levels both when trying to capture central aspects of the regional security dynamics in West Africa, and by recognising the importance of interaction between levels in peace-building processes. The theoretical framework includes conceptualisations of the African state - regionalism, regionalisation and related concepts - as well as theories on regional security.

The Sierra Leone Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme serves as a case for studying efforts of national post-war recovery in a regionalised security environment. Three research questions are addressed in order to illuminate the programme s adequacy in this respect. The main interest is whether the regional dimension of the flow of arms and combatants is reflected in the measures to combat and prevent it. In addition to searching for active responses to the regional security dynamics, potential impacts of national achievements, or lack of such, are taken into account.

Although a DDR programme with a national focus has the potential to contribute to sustainable demobilisation in the region as a whole, the study concludes that regional measures are still required as characteristics of the security environment make a national focus insufficient. The study presents various ways in which a regional approach to DDR can be taken. On the basis of the information presented, the Sierra Leone DDR programme cannot be said to have responded to the regionalised security environment in which the country is embedded. To a high extent this is due to the fact that a proper response requires interaction on these matters across borders and between various levels. Problems and potentials related to this in the West African region are addressed throughout the study.