ABSTRACT

Demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants are complex processes loaded with

multiple issues that demand analysis and resolutions. Now it is clearly demonstrated what

many ex-combatants in other Sub-Saharan African countries faced - and continue to faceproblems of economic and social reintegration once the national liberation movement

came to an end. There is much to be learned from this context.

 Demobilised ex-fighters in Eritrea face similar problems as other countries do. They have

economic, social, and psychological problems as a result of their demobilisation and

reintegration process to enter into the mainstream of the society. Economically and

socially, they have to adjust to the mores of the society. As demonstrated in the process,

it was highlighted that they have difficulty in accepting their civilian identity, and feel

they have lost the prestige of being a freedom fighter. Five years have elapsed since the

program of demobilisation and reintegration was launched and is a timely endeavour to

put this exercise into perspective so that lessons can be drawn.

The case study done in Eritrea demonstrated that demobilisation was a smooth and

straight forward procedure for the front was working more or less as a regular army and

thus emphasis was made on the much more difficult process -reintegration. But this

doesn’t mean it has its own flaws, because the main focus of the reintegration

intervention was wrongly conceived as only economic and thus social issue was

sidelined. Among the key factors for the limited reintegration success gained so far the

ongoing stamina and solidarity seen among the ex-fighters tells a lot. That is, their

dedication to work and sense of initiative on one side and effective support by the family,

community on the other side, the political will of the government of Eritrea seems to be

the most important current support safety net put in place.Said these, post-war context presents particular problems and opportunities which have

far more important impact on the reintegration process than understood so far. Apart

from the losses in human lives during the protracted war, the heavily damaged

infrastructure of the country, the population drain (about one million are living as

refugees in neighbouring countries out of which more than 500,000 reside in Sudan)

could not be without its negative effects especially on the recovery of the economy and

the rehabilitation of the social fabrics. Gaining independence in post-cold war context is

not favourable to say the least. Thus Eritrea’s independence and nation building can be

properly analyzed if put in this context. The world geopolitics is undergoing a mutation

which has not yet come to an end with economic globalisation as its hallmark with heavy

political effects. In this new world order the values of the arm struggle seem to have no

place. But who knows may be in the long run they will prove to be the best weapons in

the fight for eradicating poverty and achieving real independence.