Potential tensions and synergies between DDR and transitional justice in relation to pro-government militias: the case of the PMF in Post-IS Iraq

The disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) poses an intractable and thorny political-security dilemma. Besides prevailing uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness of the adopted DDR measures, their ramifications on the interconnected framework of transitional justice (TJ) introduce yet another layer of complexity. Based on a literature review and a limited number of expert interviews, this paper explores what DDR initiatives are in place for PMF members, and what challenges they present for transitional justice in Iraq’s post-IS landscape, to reflect on the often overlooked tensions between DDR and TJ. Such tensions are especially intricate in Iraq, as the PMF are pro-government militias (PGMs), who are themselves key actors in Iraq’s post-conflict governance and have a de facto role in formulating and implementing TJ initiatives on the ground. The paper demonstrates that the limited Iraqi DDR initiatives in place have a negative impact on TJ initiatives aimed at accountability, reparations, and reconciliation. This leads us to critically reflect on the viability of any conventional DDR programme for PGMs like the PMF.