The DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration) Commission in Western Bahr El Ghazal has announced a new strategic plan to disarm and reintegrate 150,000 former combatants in collaboration with the national ministries of Defence and Interior in the next eight years.
Romano Upio, the head of DDR Commission in Western Bahr El Ghazal, said in a press conference that the program’s first phase concludes at the end of May.He explained that the commission in Western Bahr El Ghazal State has trained more than 2,800 ex-combatants and 600 were women.
Mr Upio pointed out that the role of the DDR Commission in the new phase is to train and help in the healing process and integration of former soldiers.
The first phase should have completed by April.
Mr Upio did not mention why the ending of the program and the launching of the new commission program were postponed.
He said the national chairman of the commission will announce the launching of the new phase in Juba.
Mr Upio said the new program will train the targeted demobilized group for three months in three main centres in Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria and Western Bahr El Ghazal.
The demobilized soldiers will be trained in different fields and go through self rehabilitation in order to integrate in the civil community.