‘The Last March’ Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration of the FARC in Cauca, Colombia.

Abstract

This thesis examines how Colombia has used its experience from previous processes of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), for the current DDR process of the FARC. It explains the position of DDR in relation to peacebuilding in Colombia and in the current peace process with the FARC. This thesis is split in two parts. In the first part, it analyzes two collective demobilizations in Colombia and the Colombian individual demobilization strategy, which has actively been used since 2002. Colombia has developed its DDR policy and programs over the past three decades and gained valuable expertise. The second part of this thesis uses the ‘determinants of success’ from the first part to analyze the construction and implementation of the DDR program of the FARC in the department of Cauca. The indigenous community of Colombia has an indispensable but undervalued role in the peace process. The ignorance towards the indigenous community is one of the biggest threats for the success of the current Colombian peace process. A second main threat is the lack of trust and confidence in the Colombian state. Without addressing root causes like poverty, social inequality and corruption, the breeding ground for radicalization continues to exist, and it will only be a matter of time for conflict to reemerge.