Community Leaders from North Darfur
discuss DDR and Community Security issues

Workshop participants discussing their individual perspectives on successful DDR/CSAC programs and how to communicate their messages to local communities

El Fasher, 4 August 2010 - Today, the DDR Commission in North Darfur closed a three-day workshop on Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) and Community Security and Small Arms Control (CSAC) attended by 80 community leaders from North Darfur.

The workshop was organized by the North Sudan DDR Commission jointly with the UNDP and UNAMID and with support from the Canadian Government and aimed to further the understanding of local authorities and community leaders of the DDR process in general and to raise their awareness on issues related to community security and small arms control.

The first day’s session presented an overview of DDR and CSAC in the context of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and the individual roles and future engagement of the represented parties in planned DDR/CSAC activities.

UNDP was represented by Mr. Massimo Diana, Head of Crises Prevention and Recovery Unit, who assured the delegates that UNDP would continue to provide support to the Commission in accordance with its mandate. He added that: “For DDR to succeed in Darfur and given the current complex situation on the ground, we foresee that partnerships and effective coordination will be key for the fulfillment of the above goals. It is crucial to emphasize the complementarities between conflict prevention, mitigation and management; peaceful reconciliation and social reintegration interventions.”

In his opening address, the Wali (Governor) of North Darfur, Mr. Osman Yusif Kibir, drew attention to the programme’s importance in targeting local leaders, as they were the most in tune with their communities’ needs. Other keynote speakers commended the NSDDRC’s efforts in addressing the region’s security issues and pledged their commitment to collaborate on the implementation of DDR and Community Security programmes in Darfur.

During the second and third day, Participants discussed their individual perspectives on successful DDR/CSAC programs and how to communicate their messages to local communities. The workshop outcomes will be carefully analyzed by the DDR Commission and the UNDP and UNAMID DDR units in order to streamline and deliver effective DDR and CSAC programs for Darfur.

The Darfur Peace Agreement (CPA) calls for the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) of former combatants, and the promotion of community security and arms control. The objective of the DDR process as a whole is to contribute to creating an enabling environment for human security, and to support post peace agreement social stabilization across the Sudan, particularly in war affected areas.

***

For more information, please contact:
Monique Tummers - de Groot, UNDP DDR Public Information Specialist;
monique.tummers@undp.org,

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.