A critical assessment of the socio-economic reintegration process of ex-combatants ten years after the war in Sierra Leone

This study examines the current socio-economic status of the ex-combatants 10 years after the conflict in Sierra Leone. It examines the job opportunities, political space, relationship with community members, challenges faced, social networks involved in, relationship with former colleagues, access to land and other issues that are significant in the reintegration process of ex-combatants. It further studies the national socio-economic environment and how ex-combatants are faring in the overall post-war recovery process in Sierra Leone. Special focus lies on the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants (DDR) programme which was part of the Lome Peace Agreement signed in 1999. The study also comes up with recommendations as to how the challenges currently faced by ex-combatants could be overcome.:1. Introduction … 8 2. Theoretical Framework … 11 3. Context … 25 3.1 Origins of the war in Sierra Leone … 25 3.2 Factions involved in the conflict … 31 3.3 Recruitment patterns … 37 3.4 Peace Agreements … 39 3.5 Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration of Ex-combatants … 46 4. Research Methodology … 58 4.1 Research Question … 58 4.2 Conceptual Scheme … 59 4.3 Operationalization of Major Concepts … 60 4.4 Methodology … 62 4.5 Location of the Research ... 63 4.6 Unit of Analysis … 64 5. Findings … 66 5.1.1 Current social status of former male combatants … 71 5.1.2 Current social status of former female combatants … 76 5.1.2 Conclusion … 83 5.2. Current economic status of former combatants … 85 5.2.1 Former Male Combatants … 85 5.2.2 Former Female Combatants … 94 5.2.3 Conclusion … 102 6. Conclusions and recommendations … 105 6.1 Final Conclusions … 105 6.2 Recommendations … 109 7. Bibliography … 116 8. Annex ... 12