Economy and Peacebuilding

The case of northern Uganda illustrates the difficulties of socio-economic reintegration faced not only by ex-combatants, but also by IDPs and war-affected youth in the post-conflict environment. It discusses the marginalisation of former abductees in particular, with a focus on the specific challenges that the reintegration process posed for girls and women. The study underscores the importance of adopting a holistic approach, and of extending support to receiving communities so as to facilitate the return of former combatants and war-affected youth more generally. It furthermore highlights the potential of private sector actors to contribute to the design of socio-economic reintegration processes which are linked to realistic livelihood opportunities, and the need for donor interventions to provide long-term, sustainable support to beneficiaries.

This report is part of the case study series, Enhancing socio-economic opportunities for ex-combatants in post-conflict environments.

This case study discusses rehabilitation efforts in Nepal following the Comprehensive Peace Accord of 2006 and geared towards those ex-combatants who were either verified minors or late recruits (VMLRs). It examines the outcomes of the process and highlights the role that private sector actors can play in the socio-economic reintegration of ex-combatants. The study critically explores the challenges that VMLRs encountered when enrolling in the rehabilitation programme, the vocational training options they were presented with, as well as the inhibiting factors which impacted on their ability to find gainful employment and attain sustainable livelihoods upon graduation. It highlights the tensions between ex-combatants’ immediate versus long-term interests, the need to align training modules with local market realities, and the barriers that misinformation and suspicion within the business community can pose to reintegration processes.

This report is part of the case study series, Enhancing socio-economic opportunities for ex-combatants in post-conflict environments.

Oversubscription, financial constraints, unrealistic timelines and a format transposed from other countries with insufficient consideration for the local context were some of the pitfalls of the disarmament, demobilisation, rehabilitation and reintegration process in Liberia. This case study critically explores the effectiveness of the component geared towards providing ex-combatants with long-term livelihood opportunities and psycho-social support. It illustrates the drawbacks associated with limited involvement of the local business community and women’s groups in the design and implementation of the reintegration programme. The study also discusses the importance of community-based initiatives and life-skills coaching, with a view to empowering ex-combatants to not only secure sustainable livelihoods but also contribute to the rebuilding of societies whose social and economic fabric has been disrupted by violent conflict.

This report is part of the case study series, Enhancing socio-economic opportunities for ex-combatants in post-conflict environments.

This report summarises the findings of a series of case studies which explore the socio-economic aspects of reintegration programmes for ex-combatants in a number of conflict-affected countries where International Alert works: Nepal, Liberia and Uganda. The aim of the series is to stimulate discussions at the local, national and international level about the role that private sector actors can play in the effective reintegration of ex-combatants, and to strengthen practice by developing recommendations for future socio-economic reintegration programmes.

Данная публикация представляет собой анализ взглядов деловых кругов, в частности, представителей малого и среднего бизнеса (МСБ), по вопросу урегулирования транс-ингурских экономических отношений, трансформации грузино-абхазского конфликта и стимулирования политического процесса. Данный отчет является продолжением абхазско-грузинского исследовательского процесса, который был начат в 2009 г. и в более общем смысле сформировался в результате работы International Alert по тематике экономики и конфликта на Южном Кавказе. Данная работа направлена на углубленное понимание экономического измерения процесса мирного урегулирования, а также на вовлечение экономических акторов в мирное урегулирование на Южном Кавказе. Цель данного отчета двойная: во-первых, представить эмпирические доказательства и анализ мнений частного сектора по вопросу урегулирования транс-ингурских экономических отношений и тем самым стимулировать дискуссию по данному вопросу; во-вторых, предложить рекомендации по возможному способу регулирования этих отношений в интересах более широкой повестки дня трансформации конфликта.

Ce rapport de recherche analyse les dynamiques du petit commerce transfrontalier au niveau des 3 frontières à l’Est de la RDC et entre le Burundi et le Rwanda, et propose des actions pour l’amélioration de ce commerce afin de faire avancer le pouvoir économique des femmes et, par là même, contribuer à la paix et à la sécurité dans la région. Ce rapport fait partie d’un projet d’International Alert qui vise le renforcement de l’environnement des affaires pour les femmes (majoritairement) petites commerçantes et la création d’opportunités de dialogue et rapprochement entre les commerçant(e)s et les autorités des pays concernés. La recherche est utilisée comme instrument pour les femmes commerçantes aux campagnes de sensibilisation à ces quatre frontières.

This research report analyses the dynamics of small cross-border trade at three border points in eastern DRC, and between Burundi and Rwanda, and proposes actions to improve this trade in order to advance the economic power of women and, in so doing, contribute to peace and security in the region. The report is part of an International Alert project aiming to strengthen the business environment of (mostly) female small traders and create opportunities for dialogue and rapprochement between traders and the authorities of the countries concerned. The research is used as an instrument for female traders in campaigns to raise awareness at the four border locations concerned.