DDR Commission prepares new policy framework for South Sudan
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By Julius N. Uma
March 26, 2011 (JUBA) – The Southern Sudan Disarmament, Demobilization
and Reintegration Commission (SSDDRC) has embarked on preparing the
new policy guidelines meant for the second phase of the program, its
chairperson said Friday.
According to William Deng Deng, the new policy outline is being
developed by a technical committee 10 senior officers drawn from both
SSDDRC and South Sudan’s army (SPLA).
“The technical committee started its work of preparing this policy
outline about three weeks ago. Once they are done, it will be
presented to the cabinet for approval. We expect it to be ready at
least before July 09,” the SSDDRC Chairperson told a press conference
in the South Sudan capital, Juba.
South Sudan will become independent in July following a referendum in
favour of secession in January. The plebiscite was agreed as part of
the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which ended decades of
civil war.
The current DDR program was an integral part of the CPA, designed for
one country and two systems. The first phase of the program, which
started in June 2009, initially targeted approximately 34,000 special
needs groups such as the elderly, former combatants and women
associated with armed forces.
Already, a total of 11,944 DDR participants had been demobilized as of
mid-March in selected South Sudan states of Central Equatoria, Lakes,
Western Bahr El-Ghazal, Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Eastern Equatoria
according to the commission.
“The next phase of the program, which is expected to begin after South
Sudan’s independence declaration, will mainly focus on disarming,
demobilizing and reintegrating active SPLA soldiers,” Deng said.
In a related development, the SSDDRC received 15 laptops and two
printers courtesy of a generous contribution from one of its
implementing partners, International Organization for Migration (IOM).
While handing over the brand new equipments, Gerry Waite, head of IOM
South Sudan reiterated the organization’s continued support to SSDDRC,
saying the donation will boost the commission’s efforts in serving the
community as it prepares for its next phase.
“IOM has been honored to work alongside the commission in this
endeavor, and as the SSDDRC prepares to launch the new phase of the
DDR programme in the coming months, we hope this contribution of
laptops and printers will provide some support to the tremendous
effort that the commission puts in every day,” Waite said.
An implementing partner of SSDDRC since July 2010, working in greater
Bahr el Ghazal, the IOM has reportedly supported the DDR process for
over 4,500 former combatants and says it has begun assisting nearly
2,600 individuals in their reintegration process.
(ST)
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