n Conflict Trends - A participatory approach to DDR : empowering local institutions and abilities - : feature

Abstract

There is growing consensus that local institutions and abilities are important role players in the integrated disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants. Local institutions such as churches, traditional leaders, and civil society groupings may facilitate or hinder the process by their cooperation or opposition alone. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations (UN) agency that assists post-conflict polities with DDR through its wide array of country offices, states that: "Communities play a central role in the reintegration of ex-combatants as they are the main agent of its success.