Sudan reintegrates over 200 former rebels in Darfur

November 28, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) authorities this week completed a reintegration exercise for over 200 former rebels from SLA/Peace Wing (PW).

The exercise, which initiated by the Sudanese government, was took place on November 24, in Domia Training Camp, about 5 km west of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state with the support of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

During the exercise, witnessed by the Acting Chief of Cease Fire Commission in south Darfur, the SLA-PW led by Boshra Omar Atiam handed over 220 troops, 117 assorted weapons and 7 vehicles to Darfur Security Implementation Committee which is a subsidiary of the Transitional Darfur Regional Authority.

In accordance with the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) of May 2006, the former rebels would go through a medical test after which qualified persons would undertake 6 month training before being integrated into the Sudan Armed Forces, Sudanese National Police or other Government security institutions.

Also, more than 300 former rebels participated in a discharge exercise from 22 to 24 November in El Fasher. The programme will soon continue in other parts of Darfur, targeting a total of 5,000 former combatants affiliated with DPA signatories who were disarmed in July 2008 when they formally surrendered their weapons to the GoS.

Those discharged in El Fasher include members of the Sudanese Armed Forces, People’s Defence Forces, and the Sudan Liberation Army/Mother Wing.

UNAMID offers logistical support to the exercise, including security, transport and health services. While the Sudanese government is providing cash payments of 400 Sudanese Pounds (USD 150) for each participant, which will be followed by food vouchers and other services after two months.

(ST)