Repatriation and Reintegration in Afghanistan: The Role of Demiliarisation
Abstract
For twenty-three years, war has defined Afghanistan. This has not been a single conflict, but a string of conflicts against several enemies, external and internal. This extended period of conflict has resulted in a society that is segmented, economically nonviable, and militarised. It is to this society that refugees and exiles will soon be returning, and in which they will attempt to re-integrate. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that their successful repatriation will be contingent on stability, and that an important task to this end will be to demilitarise Afghanistan's political, economic, and social structures. In the first section of this essay, the concept of repatriation is addressed as a general topic. Particular focus is paid to the importance of stability as a precondition, as well as alternative theories (as presented in current academic literature) of achieving a level of stability necessary for successful repatriation. The next section introduces militarisation as a factor negatively influencing stability. The third section moves from general concepts to specific factors, defining the context of contemporary Afghanistan and specific issues dealing with militarisation. Finally, the essay concludes by proposing a range of measures that would aid in demilitarising Afghanistan, thus assisting in the stabilisation of society, and in turn allowing successful repatriation of refugees and exiles while promoting regional peace and security.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA410637
Entities
People
- Edward R. Mccleskey
Organizations
- University of Oxford