Press release from UNDP — The Government of Sudan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), signed today, Wednesday 25 June, an agreement to launch the reintegration component of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme for Sudan which was witnessed by the Government of Japan.

This will support the reintegration of up to 180,000 ex-combatants and associated members and will facilitate the transition from military structures to civilian life. The programme will focus on providing assistance in support of social, economic, and psychological reintegration to ex-combatants and special needs groups (women, children and disabled). In addition, it will enhance capacity of Government institutions to ensure sustainable reintegration of ex-combatants in the longer term.

The DDR programme forms a critical part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) for Sudan, and agreement on the reintegration component signifies important progress in CPA implementation. Mobilising funds for this reintegration component prior to the start of national DDR throughout Sudan is key to ensuring that the disarmament and demobilisation of former combatants will be sustainable and will contribute to a secure, stable and peaceful Sudan. “We recognise the importance of beginning a credible and transparent DDR programme in Sudan, and welcome the support of donors to this reintegration component. We need to ensure that our former combatants have the means and opportunities available to play an active role in civilian life and in the rebuilding of Sudan”, said Minister Elias Nyamlell Wakoson, State Minister for International Cooperation (from the Government of National Unity).

The programme will be led and implemented by the DDR Commissions of North and South Sudan, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) over a four year period. ‘We welcome the Government of Sudan’s leadership in taking forward a national DDR programme, and aim to support the building of national and local capacity to support national ownership of the process,’ says Ad Melkert, Associate Administrator for UNDP.

The demobilisation and reintegration programmes will run in parallel due to the staggered caseload identified for the next four years. Whilst the DDR process will form an important part of the CPA, “it must be seen in a broader context of support to peace and national reconciliation, post conflict stabilisation, peace building and conflict reduction. The reintegration programme will thus complement existing Government and UN programming that focuses on building peace at the community level” Ameerah Haq, UNDP Resident Representative and Resident Coordinator for Sudan.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan was signed on 9 January 2005 and brought to end the longest war in Africa. DDR formed a key part of this agreement.

Geneva, 25 June 2008