Exiting Violence: Disengagement and Reconciliation for Community-Based Armed Groups
Channel: United States Institute of Peace
Date: 2022-09-28

In recent years, programs aimed at helping violent extremists disengage and reconcile with their communities have become increasingly popular. However, these efforts often fail to include community-based armed groups (CBAGs), which tend to emerge in the same areas as violent extremist organizations and other non-state armed groups. CBAGs frequently operate as key local security actors in fragile or conflict-affected contexts, providing their own brand of justice and security with varying degrees of popular support. With such an integral role in conflict ecosystems, too little attention has been paid to how former members exit CBAGs and reconcile with their communities.

On September 28, USIP and the RESOLVE Network hosted a virtual conversation as part of the seventh annual RESOLVE Global Forum Series. The discussion examined the complex interactions between armed groups, civilians, state actors and international security — as well as how members disengage from CBAGs and reconcile with their local communities. 

Convened virtually, the Global Forum Series brings together leading experts and researchers for thought-provoking fireside conversations on evolving trends and dynamics in the violent extremist landscape. 

For more on the RESOLVE Global Forum Series, follow us on Twitter at @resolvenet, and join the conversation with #RESOLVEForum.

For more information about this event, and to join the live audience Q&A, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/exiting-violence-disengagement-and-reconciliation-community-based-armed-groups

Speakers:

Alastair Reed, opening remarks 
Executive Director, RESOLVE Network

Kamina Diallo
Gender Mainstreaming Specialist and PhD Candidate at Sciences Po Paris (CERI)

Lauren Van Metre  
Director, Peace, Climate and Democratic Resilience, National Democratic Institute

Mary Beth Altier 
Clinical Associate Professor, Center for Global Affairs, New York University

RESOLVE Network/ Better Research. Informed Practice. Improved Policy on Violent Extremism.

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The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to build local capacities to manage conflict peacefully. The Institute pursues its mission by linking research, policy, training, analysis and direct action to support those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world. Learn more about USIP: https://www.usip.org/about