Lost in transition: between prejudice and protection. Perspectives on the challenges and complexities of Kadogos' reintegration in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to be ensnared in a relentless cycle of violence and instability, with former child soldiers, referred to as Kadogos, embodying the deeper struggles for peace within the nation. Their experiences of reintegration illuminate the complex challenges that pervade the DRC: the ineffectiveness of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs, societal stigmatisation, and the persistent risk of re-recruitment. Research conducted in 2023 across both the volatile eastern provinces and the comparatively stable western regions reveals stark regional disparities in reintegration outcomes. In North Kivu and South Kivu, chronic insecurity and ethnic fragmentation stand in stark contrast to the relative calm of Congo-Central and Kinshasa, underscoring the urgent need for equitable resource allocation. The findings shed light on the harsh realities faced by Kadogos: prejudice, economic exploitation, and the lasting effects of psychosocial trauma. Yet, amidst this adversity, potential pathways to healing emerge, community acceptance and protective networks can facilitate meaningful reintegration. The study posits that sustainable reintegration is not merely a humanitarian obligation but essential for breaking the cycle of violence and fostering enduring peace in the Great Lakes region. It advocates for context-sensitive DDR interventions that prioritise community reconciliation and economic empowerment. Using a multi-theoretical framework, encompassing Human Security, Social Identity, and Postcolonial Theory, the research situates Kadogos’ experiences within broader narratives of historical injustice and governance failure. Concluding with evidence-based policy recommendations, this research challenges scholars and practitioners to reconceptualise reintegration as a holistic, community-driven process vital for restoring dignity and hope to a generation affected by war. It calls for a collective commitment to transform the narrative, viewing former child soldiers not as threats, but as essential agents of peace and reconstruction in a nation yearning for a brighter future.