Getting ‘real’ about virtual peace-buildingInformation communication technology and the

reintegration of ex-combatants

Guy LambSafety and Violence Initiative

University of Cape Town

If mobile phones (ICT) & Facebook can used to mobilise for revolution, can they be used to foster peace?

Dramatic growth in mobile phone access

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012* 2013*Mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

120.0

140.0

DevelopedDevelopingAfricaWorld

Massive expansion in global social media usage (millions of users)

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20130

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

FacebookTwiterLinkedInGoogle+

Facebook for Every Phone: Broadening access to social media

Is there any relevance of ICT & social media for the reintegration of ex-combatants?

• Ex-combatants are a key component of the peace equation in post-conflict societies

• Greatest challenges facing ex-combatants are income generation & social reintegration into a non-military society

• International organizations have devoted billions of dollars to various programmes in Africa since the 1970s

• Yielded modest results• Opportunities for different types of programming?

About the research

• Commissioned by the TDRP, World Bank (2012/13)• Researchers: Guy Lamb, Orly Stern, Gregory Mthembu-

Salter and Marina Reyskens• Qualitative case study: In-country research: Republic of

Congo, South Sudan and Uganda; data analysis of 11 other African countries with DDR programmes (existing & emerging)

• Assessment of the use of ICT in related sectors: early warning; humanitarian/disaster relief; post-conflict reconstruction

Possible ICT & social media tools for the reintegration of ex-combatants in

Africa

Interactive real-time mapping

Use of Ushahidi in crisis response

Geospatial analysis and the monitoring (e.g. Eyes on Darfur)

Text message reporting & querying

Social media campaigning: From ‘clicktivism’ to change

ICT resource centres

Family reunification resources

Mobile money

Current & emerging DDR programmes in Africa: ICT reality

Social media use in African DDR countries

Beyond the ICT hype and ‘culture’ of ICT use

• Significant national variations in ICT culture• Phones used predominantly for voice• Mobile phone network have limited capacity for data transfer

(including Internet access)• Data costs are exceedingly expensive • Suspicion of newer forms of ICT & paranoia• High levels of illiteracy• Electricity to charge phones?• Social media mainly applicable the digitally savvy (external

diaspora)• NB: Traditional DDR programming approaches still have value