Publication

This paper studies the prerequisites and implementation of the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DD&R) process of paramilitaries in Colombia. In addition to providing a historical overview of the Colombian conflict, the report analyzes the so-called "collective demobilization" of right-wing paramilitaries and the demobilization of individual fighters. It also outlines the potential role of outside players such as the UN, the EU, and the US. The author argues that while a successful DD&R process could help to re-establish governmental control of war-torn regions of Colombia and pacify them, a failure of the DD&R process may lead to an intensification of the conflict.