Individual demobilization and reintegration process in Colombia: implementation, challenges and former combatants' perspectives

Liliana Anaya
graduate in the fleld of International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University in Washington D.C

Correspondence Address:
Liliana Anaya
PO Box 135, Warrenton, VA 20188, USA.

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

After decades of armed conflict, the Colombian government has implemented a voluntary individual disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme (DDR). This paper is based on interviews of former combatants from illegal armed groups, from both the left and right, governmental officials, and military personnel involved in the processes. The findings of this research suggest that the individual demobilization process as a military strategy is a success. However, in order to strengthen the peace-building process, the programme needs to give more support to the socialization and re-socialization processes that former combatants experience. It needs to provide the former combatants with the skills needed to be economically and socially productive members of society. This will help them redefine their identity as civilians and undergo a successful reintegration and reconciliation.