Burundi's DDR and the Consolidation of the Peace

Girls with guns : the disarmament and demobilization of female ex-combatants in Africa.

“…13 Within the camps, problems over rank disputes and disharmony amongst combatants made conditions even more tense (Frey and Boshoff 2005). In 2005, recognizing the deplorable conditions within the cantonment sites, some rebel organizations, like the FNL (National Forces of Liberation), vowed not to send any more combatants until conditions improved (Alusala 2005).…”

“…According to the United Nations, as well as a number of scholars and policy analysts, the various setbacks notwithstanding, the DDR process in Burundi was labeled a success, with 21,379 total ex-combatants disarmed and demobilized (Uvin 2009;Frey and Boshoff 2005;Alusala 2005). I had voted for the president that was killed after his victory...I was staying in Burundi, but ran away with my husband and my baby after the destruction of our house [by army forces].…”

“…Another problem was that many combatants arrived for demobilization and simply refused to disarm, stalling the process and causing insecurity at the cantonment sites (Knight 2008). Living in pre-disarmament assembly areas (PDAAs) spaced around the country, many armed combatants were beginning the demobilization process before proper disarming facilities could be established; they used their weapons to guard against intruders as the peacekeeping forces had no mandate in place to provide the combatants with protection (Frey and Boshoff 2005;Alusala 2005). Organized into 10-15 man groups, the combatants were met once a week by peacekeepers who delivered food rations.…”

“…Even though the conditions within cantonments were deplorable and women actively avoided it for this reason, at least the intent was there to provide them a safe and secure environment. Furthermore, while it is true that males were disproportionately targeted to receive all demobilization benefits, a number of initiatives were designed to provide women with specific opportunities for increased socioeconomic reintegration (Gilligan et al 2013;World Bank 2013;Alusala 2005;Frey and Boshoff 2005). A number of Burundian women's organizations have developed demobilizing and reintegration programs for female combatants, focusing on teaching marketable skills and providing psychological support and counseling (World Bank 2013).…”