Disarmament exercise begins in North Darfur

 Yesterday marked the launch of a disarmament campaign in El Fasher, North Darfur, where more than 400 ex-combatants are to lay down arms over the coming days. The exercise is a joint effort by UNAMID and the North Sudan Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Commission.

The former fighters come from the Sudanese Armed Forces and several rebel movements. During the campaign, UNAMID will be providing logistic and medical support. More than 1,100 ex-soldiers took part in a similar initiative in South Darfur in May of 2011. All participants underwent a security screening, medical examination and psychological assessment. They also attended workshops on reintegration into civil society and received occupational training and a reinsertion allowance. UNAMID’s DDR activities aim in particular to advocate against the use of child soldiers in conflicts. In late June, after meeting with UNAMID’s Child Protection component, representatives from the Sudan Liberation Army / Abdul Wahid faction issued a renewed command order prohibiting the use and recruitment of child soldiers. The Sudanese Government also requested the Mission’s assistance in training soldiers on child protection. Since July 2009, more than 1,000 children have been released by different armed movements in Darfur.

(Source: UNAMID, picture: UNAMID, Albert Gonzalez)