Sudanese parties, UN agree to reintegrate 180000 former combatants

June 26, 2008 (GENEVA) – Sudanese government, southern Sudan government and United Nations signed an agreement aiming at immobilization and reintegration of 180,000 former combatant, the UNDP said in a press statement issued yesterday.

The signing ceremony took place at a donor conference held in Geneva, where donors reiterated their full support to the Sudan Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programme, requiring US$430 million over a four-year period.

The Government of National Unity of Sudan, the Government of Southern Sudan and United Nations Development Programme, signed on Wednesday an agreement on the DDR programme for Sudan which was witnessed by the Government of Japan.

The DDR programme forms a critical part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) for Sudan, and agreement on the reintegration component signifies important progress between the two signatories to the CPA.

The programme will support the reintegration of up to 180,000 ex-combatants and associated members to civilian life.

The four-year programme will be led and implemented by the DDR Commissions of North and South Sudan, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Mobilizing funds for this reintegration component prior to the start of national DDR throughout Sudan is key to ensuring that the disarmament and demobilization of former combatants will be sustainable and will contribute to a secure, stable and peaceful Sudan.

Assistance will be provided for support of social, economic, and psychological reintegration to ex-combatants with specific attention to women, children and disabled. In addition, it will enhance the capacity of Government institutions to ensure sustainable reintegration of ex-combatants in the longer term.

(ST)