Reintegrating Ex-combatants in Vulnerable Environments: Evidence from Central African Republic, the

Recent research indicates that while ex-combatants in the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan engage in diverse economic activities—primarily small businesses in the informal sector—their success is hindered by dilapidated infrastructure, predatory taxation, and limited access to credit. The study finds that sustainable peace is possible if reintegration continues, though risks remain higher for young unmarried males who may resort to criminal activities or re-militarization. The presence of mineral wealth in ungoverned spaces offers wealth accumulation opportunities but exposes ex-combatants to violence and extortion by armed groups.

• Ex-combatants in the studied regions engage in a wide range of economic activities to generate income, with small businesses being the most common. Other activities include agriculture, fishing, hunting, logging, construction, motorcycle taxis, artisanal mining, and cross-border trading. Most of these activities remain in the informal sector because the costs and procedures for formalization are prohibitive.
• Infrastructure and governance failures significantly impede the livelihoods of ex-combatants. Poor road networks make it difficult for farmers to reach urban markets, while frequent checkpoints and high fees delay cross-border trade and reduce the quality of fresh produce. Additionally, complex and predatory taxation systems, combined with a lack of commercial credit for the informal sector, limit the ability of entrepreneurs to reinvest in their businesses.
• In areas outside government control, particularly in the DRC and CAR, mineral wealth provides opportunities for wealth accumulation through artisanal mining. However, these activities are often illegal and risky, with ex-combatants frequently being "taxed" by government soldiers or armed groups who use the funds to maintain control over those areas.
• Livelihood choices are correlated with family and marital status. Married male ex-combatants and female ex-combatants with dependents tend to pursue stable and legitimate options. In contrast, young male ex-combatants are more likely to pursue high-risk activities such as mineral smuggling, artisanal mining, or motorcycle taxis, and some may return to criminal activities or join militia groups.

APA

Lamb, G. (n.d.). Reintegrating Ex-combatants in Vulnerable Environments: Evidence from Central African Republic, the. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/reintegrating-ex-combatants-in-vulnerable-environments-evidence-from-central-african-republic-the

Chicago

Lamb, Guy. Reintegrating Ex-combatants in Vulnerable Environments: Evidence from Central African Republic, the. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/reintegrating-ex-combatants-in-vulnerable-environments-evidence-from-central-african-republic-the.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lamb |first1=Guy |title=Reintegrating Ex-combatants in Vulnerable Environments: Evidence from Central African Republic, the |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/iss-today/reintegrating-ex-combatants-in-vulnerable-environments-evidence-from-central-african-republic-the |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lambndreintegrating, author = {Lamb, Guy}, title = {{Reintegrating Ex-combatants in Vulnerable Environments: Evidence from Central African Republic, the}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/iss-today/reintegrating-ex-combatants-in-vulnerable-environments-evidence-from-central-african-republic-the}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }