The Conundrum of DDR Coordination: The Case of South Sudan

Guy Lamb,Theo Stainer

doi:10.5334/sta.628

Abstract

This article analyses the nature of coordination between the various stakeholders during the design and implementation of a disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) process. It makes detailed reference to the contemporary DDR programme in South Sudan as this African country is a relevant example of significant international and local efforts to facilitate DDR coordination in a fragile and complex political and operational environment. The analyses showed that in South Sudan, coordination appeared to have been negatively affected by hierarchical, convoluted and inflexible organisational structures and arrangements. In addition, further contributing factors included: inadequate communication; uncertainty over roles and responsibilities; and unequal access to financial resources. Moreover it was apparent that these arrangements and dynamics fostered inter-organisational tensions and eroded trust between stakeholders. This ultimately resulted in fragmented and sub-standard DDR outcomes.

Highlights

The coordination of activities within peace support operations is a process that takes place between a variety of entities at multiple levels and often occurs in the context of complex and fluctuating environments
Art. 9, page 9 of 16 effectively side-lined UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and other international organisations from providing substantial resources and technical support. This approach undermined the coordination of activities and multi-dimensional longterm planning that could have resulted in the implementation of measures to address the unstable security environment that was driving the civilian demand for firearms
By focusing on South Sudan and drawing on theories of inter-organisational collaboration and alliances it was shown that inter-organisational coordination of demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) appeared to have been negatively affected by overly hierarchical, convoluted and inflexible organisational processes and arrangements and processes, between organisations, but within organisations too

Summary

Guy Lamb and Theo Stainer

This article analyses the nature of coordination between the various stakeholders during the design and implementation of a disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) process. It makes detailed reference to the contemporary DDR programme in South Sudan as this African country is a relevant example of significant international and local efforts to facilitate DDR coordination in a fragile and complex political and operational environment. The analyses showed that in South Sudan, coordination appeared to have been negatively affected by hierarchical, convoluted and inflexible organisational structures and arrangements. It was apparent that these arrangements and dynamics fostered inter-organisational tensions and eroded trust between stakeholders. This resulted in fragmented and sub-standard DDR outcomes

Introduction

Findings

Conclusion