Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) has been a critical component of peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts globally and in Africa since the late 1980s. Over the past few decades, a growing number of African countries have undertaken some form of DDR programming to improve security in post conflict settings. Such emphasis on DDR comes in recognition of the necessity of addressing the spoiler effect of former armed groups in derailing peace processes and prolonging the cycles of violence.
Today, with an evolving conflict landscape, conflict-affected states find themselves engulfed in complex settings of protracted violence involving multiple non-state actors and terrorist groups. These groups have grown to become more fragmented, sophisticated and less amenable to political solutions. Moreover, the growing nexus between armed conflict and terrorism is exacerbating already-complex conflict dynamics. Another alarming phenomenon is the emergence of an increasing number of individuals formerly associated with terrorist groups, for which a comprehensive and integrated response is yet to emerge.
Against this backdrop, DDR practitioners are forced to grapple with heightened challenges to be able to adjust to this complex new reality. As the nature of conflict continues to evolve, and against a changing political, security and legal landscape, DDR continues to be a critical tool to sustain peace in contexts affected by conflict and terrorism, and thus it is imperative to ensure that it is adapting and evolving at the same pace.
Noting this changing scale and scope of armed conflict and terrorism, CCCPA supported the AU in developing the first-of-its-kind Operational Guidance Note (OGN) on DDR - Preventing/Countering Extremism Conducive to Terrorism. The note provides guidance for DDR practitioners on planning, designing and implementing screening, prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration (SPRR) programs to deal with the challenge of handling individuals formerly associated with terrorist groups in Africa. On its part, CCCPA is at the forefront of regional efforts to build the capacities of African countries in the field of DDR, especially as and when it overlaps with preventing and countering extremism conducive to terrorism in complex and asymmetrical environments.
Internationally, CCCPA has also been an active member of the Integrated DDR Training Group (IDDRTG) since 2016 and served as co-chair of the IDDRTG from 2017 to 2019. In this capacity, and in fulfillment of its DDR mandate, CCCPA has been actively engaged with the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on DDR in the revision process of the Integrated Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Standards (IDDRS).
CCCPA's Convening, Training and Research Efforts
