Economic reintegration of Ex-combatants: the case for Community based Reintegration projects in Rwanda

Abstract

This paper looks closely at the challenges facing the economic reintegration of ex-combatants in the context where so much resources and related research has been invested to alleviate the consequences of armed conflicts that bring about suffering and economic degradation of individual participants, communities and nations. This paper brings out the success stories and related processes that bring them about in the economic reintegration of ex-combatants, in the new approach of Community Based Reintegration Projects (CBR).

At the base of the success of this approach, is involvement of all stakeholders and beneficiaries. Involvement brings about understanding of the whole process, a smooth implementation process and a sure way of success and sustainability. This involvement should not be at the last end of the process but from the very beginning, the planning phase. This brings about ownership and better understanding.

The planning process therefore is the most crucial of all the stages of any undertaking. It lays the foundation for any project, upon which all the other pieces will find support. It should take all it requires, in time and resources, but it should be perfect.

This is where the Community Based Reintegration project of the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission, did differently from the rest of the classic DDR processes, and was able to showcase good results in the economic reintegration of the Rwandan ex-combatants. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended here that the CBR process be adopted where possible as it gives by far better results with less resource in the economic reintegration of the ex-combatants.