UNAMID expects collection of 30 thousand weapons in western Darfur.

February 4, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Darfur joint peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) has stated that the Sudanese government expects collecting of 30 thousand pieces of weapons in West Darfur state over the next six months,

following the formal registering and marking of civilian weapons since 30 January 2013, in an initiative designed to limit the spread of weapons and reduce violence in the region.

The mission stated in a press release on Sunday that the Ministry of Interior, the Office of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration in Sudan and BONN International Centre for transformation organized a two day program in El-Geneina for registering and marking of weapons attended by approximately 200 participants from government agencies, diplomatic and unions of native administrations and non-governmental organizations, with the purpose of mobilizing the region’s population in support of registering and marking of small arms and light weapons.

According to the statement, ten of the native leaders representing different tribes were among the first register initiators despite the voluntary nature of the process, pointing that the deadline is six months that’s subject to be extended to ensure the program’s success, through the participation of various social groups from the grass roots to the top.

The opening ceremony chaired by the Sudanese Interior Minister, Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid and the Governer of West Darfur, Haidar Glaucoma was followed by a one- day interactive workshop to induce the stakeholders at the global, regional and national levels of weapons registration initiative, to enhance coordination and ensure the success of the program.

It’s worth mentioning that both the UNDP and UNAMID have provided technical and logistical support for the event organized by the Office of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration in Sudan.