African Journal of Political Science

African Journal of Political Science ISSN 3461-2165 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-026, March, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Linking DDR and SSR in post conflict peace-building in Africa: An overview

W. Andy Knight

Department of Political Science, University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 24 November, 2013

Abstract

This paper is an overview of the linkage between the processes of disarmament, demobilization, and rehabilitation (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR). It makes the case for developing an integrated approach in trying to understand the complementary relationship between DDR and SSR by drawing on a number of peace building experiences on the African continent. The paper concludes with a number of recommendations for improving both DDR and SSR processes and argues that a properly structured and governed security sector is necessary for ensuring the success of post-conflict peace building and for making sure that countries that have undergone DDR programmes do not relapse into violent conflict.

Key words: Demobilization, disarmament, rehabilitation, post conflict, peacebuilding, security sector reform, Africa, United Nations, African Union.