Publication

This paper examines the challenges of achieving successful disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of child soldiers, with reference to DDR processes in West Africa, and suggests how such problems can be overcome. The author explains that disarmament and demobilization phases involves a dilemma between the need to include as many child soldiers as possible in the DDR process, many of whom do not even carry weapons, with an often conflicting need to collect as many weapons as possible. The paper states that DDR can only succeed if it addresses the needs of all child soldiers, including those who circumvent the official process, namely child soldiers who demobilize as adults, and girl soldiers.