Experiences of Reintegration

This chapter deals with the complex process of ensuring a safe and successful transition to civilian identity for ex-combatant youth, that most countries recovering from conflict are faced with. What steps need to be taken to enable youth formerly associated with fighting forces (YAFF) to find gainful livelihoods so that they become self-reliant, economically independent and socially acceptable as well as responsible citizens? Our purpose in this chapter is to: (1) underline the salience of approaching reintegration concepts and policies from a youth focus; (2) outline how ex-YAFF have tended to be approached in policies and approaches to reintegration and (3) problematize the conceptual expansion from individual to the community-based targeting in reintegration programmes. This threefold purpose is pursued in direct response to our previous research on children and youth and their experiences of conflict and post-conflict peace building. It is informed by an assertion of the fundamental need for privileging the voices and experiences of ex-YAFF as a group representing unique and distinct challenges for the study of reintegration both conceptually and in practice.