Ex-combatants as civic activists in post-conflict societies: KLA members in Kosovar civil society

ABSTRACT Claiming that ex-combatants should be seen as addressing different societal needs in post-conflict societies through varied civic work, this study tries to answer how KLA ex-combatants perceive the roles they play in the civil life of post-conflict Kosovo and how they think their communities perceive them and their civic activities. It utilizes data from state, NGO, and international organizations’ reports, and 15 semi-structured in-depth interviews with the KLA ex-combatants. It shows that ex-combatants describe themselves as civic activists enthusiastic about helping their communities and rebuilding the post-conflict society. How KLA members perceive social relations in post-conflict Kosovo and their past experiences shape their understanding of the role of peacebuilding through civic activism, resulting in different perceptions of peace and their worth in their society.