Global issues research
id21 is the free development research reporting service, bringing you UK-sourced research on developing countries

War ends and the challenges begin
Sustaining peace is a fragile issue. As a post-conflict country focuses its attention on its recovery, addressing the root causes of the conflict is important as the danger of sliding back into conflict is real. International support for activities such as state-building is essential.

Articles in this issue
Failure to disarm and demobilise militias in Afghanistan
United Nations-sponsored disarmament and demobilisation of militias in Afghanistan has not gone well. Afghan partners have lacked political will and militia leaders have entered parliament. The international community has compromised, seemingly in denial of the reality that thousands of armed men continue to operate outside the control of the Afghan government.

Integration of insurgents in post-conflict Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone presents a unique reintegration challenge. The West African state must reconcile ex-combatants with victims and civil society and also incorporate a brutalised group of highly disaffected youths. In such contexts, recovery requires more than encouragement of political participation and holding elections.

Rethinking state-centric security sector reform in conflict-affected states
Is the international community's approach to security sector reform (SSR) in post-conflict and fragile states too focused on state provision? Is it unrealistic to expect the state to provide all justice and security? Does current SSR policy contradict development principles of a 'people-centred, locally owned' approach to recovery?

Where state-building went wrong in Timor-Leste
In April 2006 an internal military dispute, fuelled by political elites, led to protest and gang violence on the streets of the Timor-Leste's capital city, Dili. Security forces splintered. International peacekeepers returned.

The logic of political decay and reconstruction in Uganda and Zimbabwe
Civil war, authoritarian rule, falling incomes, poverty, widespread corruption has made life for many Africans difficult today than it was at the end of colonial rule. This long-term crisis generated a sequence of theoretical discussions and policy responses. But the African crisis is ongoing.

Peace-building prompts NGO legitimacy crises in Sri Lanka
After the signing of a ceasefire agreement in 2002, national non-government organisations (NGOs) have played an increasingly important role in the peace-building projects of international donors.

Previous themes from id21

Growth matters. Inequality hurts.

Making trade work for all

Public policies to address child poverty

Sharing lessons and experience between the adaptation and disaster risk reduction sectors

Reviewing and strategising for effective aid

Is social protection the best way forward?