Demobilization – 2013

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Demobilization – 2013

2013

Intermediate Implementation Intermediate implementation

The DDR process gained momentum. In June, 5,973 former combatants, including 460 women, had been disarmed and demobilized, while 3,489 weapons, 28,355 rounds of ammunition and 2,448 items of explosive ammunition had been collected, registered and/or destroyed, with United Nations support.1 These numbers rose by December: 15,456 former combatants, including 1,002 women, had been disarmed and demobilized, while 5,838 weapons, 258,002 rounds of small arms ammunition and 6,800 items of explosive ordnance had been collected, registered and/or destroyed, with United Nations support.2

“The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants remained a key priority of President Ouattara, who has requested his Government to expedite the disarmament and demobilization of 30,000 combatants by the end of 2013 and to complete the process by 2015. The Authority for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration subsequently proposed a two-year programme aimed at processing a caseload of approximately 65,000 [down from 110,000 after further verification efforts] former combatants, costing some $145 million according to Government estimates.”3

Despite increased success, problems and challenges remained. The initial target of 30,000 would not be met, so the Government extended the duration of the process to June 30, 2015, with a revised target for 2013 of 23,000 combatants. Meanwhile, the caseload of eligible former combatants increased from 66,777 to 74,068.4

Moreover, the UN condemned an attack on a convoy of the national Authority for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (ADDR) by demobilized former combatants; the attack took place on July 1 on a road between the towns of Ferkessedougou in the north and Kong in the northwest.5 The same day, there were further reports of an uprising of demobilized former combatants in the northern town of Tengrela that invovled the exchange of fire with elements of the police force along with the Republican Forces of Cote d’Ivoire [FRCI]. “According to the banco.net website, which disclosed the information yesterday, these demobilized former combatants were demanding, through this violent demonstration, their integration within the national army.”6

Furthermore, there were reports of disgruntled suppliers working with the ADDR as well as discontented staff members who had not received pay.7

Ongoing concern with the DDR process, along with security sector reform and the continued circulation of weapons, helped prompt the UN Security Council to extend the mandate of UNOCI to June 30, 2014.8

  1. “Thirty-second progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in C™te dÕIvoire,” United Nations Security Council (S/2013/377), June 26, 2013, paragraph 35.
  2. “Thirty-third progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in C™te dÕIvoire,” United Nations Security Council (S/2013/761), December 24, 2013, paragraph 36.
  3. “Thirty-second progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in C™te dÕIvoire,” United Nations Security Council (S/2013/377), June 26, 2013, paragraphs 36, 41.
  4. “Thirty-third progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in C™te dÕIvoire,” United Nations Security Council (S/2013/761), December 24, 2013, paragraph 35.
  5. “Cote d’Ivoire: UN condemns attack on disarmament convoy,” IBNS, July 3, 2013.
  6. “Ivorian ex-combatants attack regular army before presidential visit to north,” BBC Worldwide Monitoring, July 2, 2013.
  7. “Ivorian government to integrate more than 10,000 former combatants,” BBC Worldwide Monitoring, September 10, 2013.
  8. UN Security Council Resolution 2112, July 30, 2013 (S/RES/2112).