Southern Sudan disarmament talks begin

The Southern Sudan Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration Commission, SSDDRC has moved to strategize a new plan for the new Republic of South Sudan, ROSS.

This development came to revelation on Tuesday this week following a one day consultative meeting held at the Home and Away Business Center in Juba.

Senior Officers in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, SPLA, key dignitaries in the Government of Southern Sudan, GOSS and State, development partners, stake holders and members of the Commission were the attendees present.

Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, GOSS Minister of Information and Broadcasting who opened the meeting urged the discussants to draw a comprehensive program that will enhance effective function of the Commission in the ROSS.

In his speech, the Chairperson of the SSDDRC, William Deng Deng pointed out that; “we are developing a policy for the new country and to bring all the stakeholders: international community, SPLA, various forces and SSDDRC to discuss the way forward for the independent nation.”

He added that; “we expect to come out with a policy that we shall submit later to the GOSS Council of Ministers.”

The main agenda was; how to make reintegration more feasible, proper training of ex-combatants in order to enable them effectively contribute in different developments in the society.

The meeting was also expected to devise ways forward on how to diversify areas of capacity building like establishing vocational training centers in key areas.

Deng further pointed out that, the meeting was significant as it gave a ground to address challenges facing the Commission. He said that inadequate resources including manpower and facilities are critical challenges in the work of the Commission.

However, he also noted that, one of newest challenge is the increase of non-SPLA forces following the rebel prevailing activities that emerged in the last three years of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, CPA.

He added that, the first phase of the commission which has been supported by the United Nations is due to an end by 31st December this year. Despite the six years of operation, down sizing of the SPLA through the commission has been limited.

SSDDRC

The SSDDRC came into existence after the signing of the peace deal in 2005. The accord gave a mandate for the establishment of the commission to integrate any forces that were not affiliated to SPLA but operated within South Sudan.

“Many have and still are being integrated as per the directive of the National Authority even as the Independency Day is approaching,” Deng said. The Commission said that, the current strength of the SPLA approximately dates 194,000. The commission supports large numbers of ex-combatants to find appropriate livelihoods thereby decreasing the risk of crime and recurring political violence.

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