Two American researchers have wrapped up a day-long visit with former child soldiers and ex-combatants in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, as part of an international effort to assess Liberia’s post-war recovery and reintegration process.
Julie Gregory and Nathalie Dramlett, research analysts with the Washington, D.C. based Stimson Center, met with members of the Initiative for the Development of Former Child Soldiers (IDEFOCS) and students from the Rilo Foundation Educational School System (RIFES) during a fact-finding mission aimed at evaluating the impact of Liberia’s Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DDRR) program.
The visit, held at IDEFOCS headquarters in the Open Bible Community, provided a platform for candid conversations between the researchers and individuals directly affected by the country’s brutal civil wars.
Participants shared deeply personal accounts and raised concerns about the lingering gaps in reintegration support, particularly for children of former fighters and those still struggling with the consequences of war.
“There’s a sense among many here that the DDRR program didn’t go far enough,” said Gregory.
“Our goal is to capture these perspectives in a report that will inform UN missions and contribute to future Peacebuilding efforts.”
Gregory and Dramlett’s work focuses on civilian protection in post-conflict countries where United Nations peacekeeping operations have concluded.
Their findings in Liberia will be compiled into a report for submission to permanent missions at the UN, with a focus on evaluating the effectiveness of reintegration programs and the UN’s role in child protection during the country’s recovery.
IDEFOCS’ founder and CEO, Morris Matadi, thanked the researchers for taking time to listen to the community’s concerns.
He also highlighted the importance of sustained international support for educational initiatives like RIFES, which provides free schooling to over 400 vulnerable children, many of whom are affected by war, substance abuse, or extreme poverty.
“Education is our best hope for preventing future conflict,” Matadi said; “But we can’t do it alone. We need strong global partnerships to continue this work.”
The researchers’ visit underscores the importance of inclusive post-conflict recovery efforts and ensures that the voices of former child soldiers and their families remain part of the international conversation on Peacebuilding and human security.
