Research Brief

This research brief explores the complex process of disengagement and reintegration for former al-Shabaab members in Somalia. Based on three years of fieldwork, it highlights how clan support, formal rehabilitation, and personal motivations influence defection and reintegration outcomes. Success depends on secure transit, community trust, and access to livelihoods, while many face legal uncertainty, stigma, and limited resources. The brief outlines practical policy recommendations focused on coordination, gender-responsive design, and cost-effective support, alongside twelve key barriers that undermine reintegration across security, social, and economic domains.