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Reintegration – 1997

Rwanda’s overall DDR process proceeded in two different phases. In the first phase, which began in September 1997 and lasted until February 2001, 18,692 soldiers from the Rwandan army (RPA) – 2,364 of whom were child soldiers and 15,000 of whom were former members of Former Rwandan Armed Force – were demobilized.¹

The state’s first reintegration program was reportedly not successful. According to the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, only a small proportion of disabled ex-combatants received any kind of medical rehabilitation, no reintegration benefits were available for the 15,000 ex-FAR combatants who were demobilized. Demobilized RPA combatants received some reintegration support.²

1. “The Second Stage of Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Programme (RDRP Stage II),” RDRC, 2002.
2. Ibid, 7.