Demobilization

One of the major issues arising after a war is the demobilization of combatants who took part in the armed conflict, whether it is a question of recruits drafted by their state or civilians mobilized and armed in nonstate groups. This issue is of primary importance, due, in particular, to the potentially destabilizing role ex-combatants might have vis-à-vis the peace process, which explains why security is a constant concern during the different phases of demobilization. Aside from military demobilization, carried out immediately after a war and essentially a technical matter, there are other aspects of demobilization, namely cognitive ones, which cannot easily be relegated to institutions, although they are essential to the postconflict process in the long term.

Once combatants have been demobilized, the question of ...