Abstract:
The Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration process prevents relapse of conflicts and
security challenges arising from ex-combatants. The purpose of this study is to explore the
DDR process of Amhara Democratic Force Movement in the context of post 2018 Ethiopia.
The study employed qualitative case study research approach to explore the implementation of
DDR process, actors, successes, drawbacks’ and its political implications. Data was collect
through in-depth interview, Focus Group Discussion and document review analyzed using
thematic analysis. The study employed purposive and snowball sampling to select key
informant participants and to contact ex-combatants of ADFM respectively. The result of this
study reveals that the implementation of the DDR process is not in accordance with the
Integrated DDR Standards of the United Nation. However, this does not mean that there are
no reintegration activities at all. The negotiation process and the political and social aspects
of the reintegration process were relatively successful. The major challenges and drawbacks
of the implementation were lack of written peace agreement, lack of commitment, lack of an
integrated approach, problems of clear registration and favoritism and the attitude of the
community with the familiarity of guns and the less emphasis given to the disarmament and
reintegration of ex-combatants. Moreover, the post 2018 political changes in Ethiopia were
both an opportunity and challenge to the DDR process of ADFM. Thus, the DDR process
should have been design with the focus on promoting peace and security for the people while
also benefiting ex-combatants. The federal and Amhara regional governments should have
revised the structure of relevant institutions at all levels with proper finance, expertise and
reduce excessive reliance on external supports and focus on finding local source of financing
the DDR process. The planning should be inclusive, participatory and gender sensitive. It also
requires political integrity of actors.