PKSOI Lessons Learned Report January 2019 | Page 25

and there is little interest in deeper engagement. Equally, the dangers of regional rivalries
play out in the MNJTF space. The recommendation is the imperative to set out a draft
regional Security Sector Reform (SSR)/DDR roadmap at the very start to deliver a pan-Lake
Chad policy that shapes the operations of the MNJTF. While regional support is certainly
required for a workable pan-region DDR plan, a small group of experts is needed to write the
plan. Once written, the different nations must then adapt their laws to match the agreed
protocols to ensure consistency.
Implications:
If this recommendation is not followed, then there will be a mix in surrender policies between
the nations of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), which erodes anti Boko Haram
messaging and offers potential 'safe havens' to defectors where they will be simply released
into the community or indeed overloads a partner with a better program of rehabilitation.
Source:
This lesson is based on the experience of the lesson authors during Operation TURUS/
BARKHANE – Lake Chad Basin (January–June 2018).
Lesson Authors: COL Jon Cresswell (UK) and LTC Adam Martin (US), Cell for Coordination and
Liaison (CCL) to the MNJTF (Head CCL and US Deputy Commander).
N'Djamena, Chad – 2 Nov 2017. Attendees discuss policy
issues during the DDR/Regional Stabilization Conference
hosted by the AU and MNJTF. (Photo credit: LTC Martin)
Coordination at the Front Lines of DDR
(Lesson #2707)
Observation:
Attending multiple conferences hosted by diverse organizations such as U.S. Africa
Command (USAFRICOM) and the African Union, as well as working closely with regional
civilian and military Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) experts from
May 2017 to April 2018 while deployed as the USAFRICOM Liaison Officer to the Multi-
national Joint Task Force (MNJTF), I observed that DDR is more a law enforcement
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