Ex-combatants rejoin civilian life

A programme for the reintegration of armed combatants into civilian life in Tajikistan has had a marked success not
just in creating livelihoods for the former soldiers, but in contributing towards regional stability Abdul Baqi Mehraban, of UNDP’s rehabilitation, reconstruction and development programme (RRDP), told IRIN the programme had directly contributed toward a reduction in tensions between the Tajik government and opposition groups in the Karategin Valley, an Islamic stronghold.

The 1997 General Peace Agreement in Tajikistan included a military protocol that called for the disarming and disbanding of former United Tajik Opposition (UTO) armed combatants and their reintegration into civilian life.

Unemployed and still armed, they represented a potential source of instability in the region with a very real concern that they would join criminal groups or engage in drug trafficking. Though there have been incidences of some taking up arms again, the number has been relatively low.

In 1999, the first-phase of the programme was launched providing immediate short-term assistance to more than 1,200 ex-combatants in labour-intensive projects such as the reconstruction of war-damaged schools, health facilities, roads and bridges.

Some 300 permanent jobs were created as a result, as well as associated employment opportunities, such as cooking for Tajikistan’s many unemployed widows. The second phase of the programme, currently underway, focuses on creating long-term sustainable employment opportunities in the agriculture sector.

While the programme has so far been successful and groups have disarmed, the Tajik government has yet been unable to collect guns and put them back into military service as was the requirement. Last year a small breakaway group left to join rebel groups in Kyrgyzstan, though a great many more approached the UN seeking employment through the programme.

According to Mehraban: “Many we simply could not support so we had to turn them away, though we hope to be able to support them in the coming year.”
The men are paid US $50 per month for unskilled workers, and US $100 for skilled workers such as mechanics or engineers. With the current focus on agricultural production, the UN has supported the former combatants in the purchase of seed and fertiliser. They are responsible for crop cultivation and harvest and then return the seed to other farmers for replanting in order to continue the process. The land has been given to the combatants under land-lease projects enabling them to not only produce food but gain experience in privatisation. “It is an example of how with some assistance people can benefit in a more sustainable way and be integrated into the economy,” Mehraban said.

Only two years ago, Gharm in the Karategin Valley was a different city according to Mehraban. “There were no people in the markets, no lights on the streets, commodities in the market were few. Now the face of the city has changed as a result of the project. The cash we put into the area has contributed toward new business. There are more commodities in the markets, street lights, people enjoying being outdoors, and there is a lot less tension.”

Mehraban estimates that there are around 2,400 ex-combatants in the Karategin Valley and in neighbouring Tavildara. Many of these have been integrated into the programme, however the harsh winter and the high level of snow in the valley means access is difficult, restricting the working season to only six months. They are forced to try and tide their funds over until the end of the winter when the programme gets underway, one of the key challenges to continued stability.

The UN plans to step up the programme this year to focus on long term sustainable employment. It has US $3 million in funding from the European Union to cover eight districts in Tajikistan over a three-and-a-half year period.