South Sudan pledges $30 mln for demobilisation programme
June 10, 2009 (JUBA) – The President of Southern Sudan government has released 30 million US dollars to fund demobilisation programme launched today in the south.
Salva Kiir Mayadrit’s pledge was announced by Luka Biong Monoja, his Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the Government of Southern Sudan who read the presidential speech delivered on Wednesday at the launch of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme in the semi-autonomous region.
Around 35,000 combatants of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) will be demobilized in the first phase of the operation. South Sudan DDR is part of the national DDR programme launched last February. Some 4,500 combatants from the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), Popular Defence Forces and SPLA are so far demobilized.
“Your people are not chasing you away- we are re-deploying you and assigning you new and crucial duties and responsibilities” said Luka Biong.
He further stressed that this programme “will build the skills of DDR participants in carpentry, clerical, computer, building, electricity, plumbing, welding, tailoring, cooking and catering services.”
The programme DDR foresees the disarmament of equal numbers of forces from both SAF including its militias or SPLA. Juba is the third operational centre after Ed Damazin in Blue Nile State and Kadugli in Southern Kordofan.
A total of 180,000 participants from North and Southern Sudan stand to benefit from DDR by leaving military life and reintegrating into society. The programme is operationally managed by the North Sudan and South Sudan DDR Commissions, with technical and logistical support from the Integrated United Nations DDR Unit.
“In demobilising these former heroes from the SPLA, the government will be giving them an opportunity to return to their communities with dignity and with respect,” the Deputy Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator, Lise Grande said, speaking at the ceremony at a military base outside the southern regional capital Juba.
“Its success depends also on the achievements of all the other benchmarks of the CPA”, she added.
The launch ceremony was also attended by senior officials of the Governments of National Unity, and southern Sudan as well representatives of diplomatic missions in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the donor community, Japanese Ambassador to Sudan, Yuichi Ishi, urged the ex combatants to benefit from this opportunity. “The sustainable peace and development of your country rest upon you and your colleagues”. “Japan has been proactively assisting the people of Sudan to implement the CPA with a special focus on DDR”, he added.
Donors pledged some 88 million dollars in February, but more contributions are needed, including from north and south Sudanese governments.
(ST)
da vinci the great
South Sudan pledges $30 mln for demobilisation programme
I will not support the realise of such a huge amount because it is going straight into the pockets of Kirr’s ugly relatives who are corrupt like him.
This is just a plan to robbe the money of poor people in south sudan. Down with SPLM
Dr. Lam Akol has proved to be a man over you lunatics, people will definitely follow him.
Hillary B.M.L,M
South Sudan pledges $30 mln for demobilisation programme
Who will be in charge of DEMOBILIZATION PROGRAMME? Many programs in Southern Sudan put forward for implementation but people charged for the responsibility turn out as corrupts like what has happened to Disabled Soldiers. Being announced, everybody in South Sudan Government is now try hard for himherself to be given that responsibility. This is Corruption in name of responsibility.(CINOR). Salver Kirr need good and Young Logisticians and Administrators in all Fields
to replace those old ones who are thirsty for PERSONAL WEALTH.