Connecting Community Security and DDR: Experiences from Burundi

Abstract

The report is based on 10 weeks of field research in Burundi between April and June 2010, and looks at the linkages between community security and DDR. It opens with a discussion of local experiences with DDR programmes, analyzing the impact of its different components, and analyzing the local perceptions of such programmes. The analysis looks both at the economic side of reintegration as well as the social aspects it. Then, the focus turns to community security and it is explored how local actors understand (in)security, and what actors and mechanisms related to security exist at the local level. The report also looks into the topic of civilian disarmament, as this is a key component of community security. Further, it is discussed how DDR programmes impact on local security. Finally, the conclusions then relate the issues discussed to practical recommendations.