Demobilization: Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement
Implementations
Demobilization – 2005
The DDR process in Sudan was recognized as very challenging given that the accord did not specifically provide detailed information regarding the number of combatants to be demobilized, disarmed and integrated into society. The accord, however, provided a phased approach by establishing an Interim DDR Program (IDDRP) before finalizing a full scale multi-year DDR program.1 Government of Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), SPLA, non-allied OGAs, and children and women associated with the fighting forces were eligible for the DDR process. The CPA established the National DDR Coordination Council and two sub-national level commissions the Northern’ Sudan DDR Commission (NDDRC) and the Southern Sudan DDR Commission (SDDRC), which were mandated to design, implement and manage the DDR process at the northern and southern sub-national levels respectively. These institutional structures were agreed to be established within 30 days of the signing of the CPA. The CPA also provides for assembly locations for the SFA and the SPLA combatants for the DDR process.
As agreed, the Northern Sudan DDR Interim Authority was established and even established regional offices. Similarly, the Southern Sudan DDR Interim Authority was established and set up its regional offices. To carry out the DDR program, surveys and registration of disabled ex-combatants and women associated with armed groups were being carried out and the removal of child soldiers was expected to begin in January 2006. The UNMIS and the UN DDR unit provided assistance ranging from expert advice to demobilization packages.2
In 2005, the SAF disclosed that about 43,000 members of OGAs were aligned with it and SPLA claimed its overall strength to be about 270,000.3 It was not clear how many of the disclosed members of the armed forces were going to participate in the DDR process.
- “Sudan,” UNDDR, accessed February 3, 2012, http://www.unddr.org/countryprogrammes.php?c=35.
- “The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA,” UNMIS, March 2006.
- “Report of the Secretary-General on the Sudan,” I (S/2005/821), December 21, 2005.
Demobilization – 2006
The National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Coordination Council (NDDRCC) was established on 18 February 2006. The Minister of Presidency was the chair and other members of the council were cabinet members—as well as Chief of Staff of the SAF and SPLA, General Commissioner for DDR for the Northern States, General Commissioner for DDR for the Southern States and other dignitaries to be appointed by the Presidency. The NDDRCC has the responsibility of policy formation. Therefore, on 19 February, the Northern Sudan Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration Commission (NDDRC) was established by a presidential decree. The NDDRC had responsibility to design, implement and manage the DDR process at the northern states. The GoSS established the Southern Sudan DDR Commission (SSDDRC) and appointed its chairperson and the deputy chairperson. It was reported that the GoSS also formally endorsed the interim DDR program in January 2006.1 The SPLA, in technical support of UNICEF, had demobilized and reunited some 142 children in February 2006.2 It is not clear how demobilized child combatants were integrated into the society.
Demobilization – 2007
There was some momentum after the establishment of the NDDRCC and NDDRC and SSDDRC. In Southern Sudan, a technical committee on disarmament and demobilization was established in January 2007. It was also reported that the SAF conducted unilateral disarmament of its aligned former OAG members and the United National Military Observers observed the disarmament procedure. A total of 957 OAG combatants were disarmed and given a onetime payment. It did not involve the Northern and Southern Sudan DDR institutions.1
Demobilization – 2008
UNMIS continued to work with parties to the CPA for a plan to commence the multi-year DDR program in the Sudan. In this regard, the NDDRCC in September had agreed to conduct a pilot disarmament and demobilization program for 700-1000 combatants. There were 88 children associated with the SPLA who were demobilized in May 2008. The UNICEF DDR staff, with NSDDRC in the Blue Nile State, had also started an interim program to monitor demobilized child combatantsÕ participation in the integration programs.1
Demobilization – 2009
Important progress was made in terms of establishing the target number of DDR. It was estimated that some 180,000 combatants would participate in the DDR program, starting with 50,000 participants (25,000 each from the SAF and the SPLA) in the first phase. Approximately, 6,000 women associated with armed forces or groups (WAAFGs) and 17,500 people with disabilities as well as children associated with forces were expected to be beneficiaries of the DDR program.1 The cost of reintegrating 182,000 combatants from both sides was estimated to be $430 million. The Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan also agreed to directly contribute $250 for each participant.
The demobilization process started in February 2009 and by the end of August 2009 a total of 12,428 combatants had been demobilized. The demobilized combatants received reintegration support in the form of cash, non-food items, and coupons from the WFP for food rations for three months.2 The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA, December 2009). Also, in December of 2009, a total of 697 ex-combatants and members of special needs groups were demobilized. Those who participated in the DDR program also received counseling.3
- “Disarmament, Demo and Reintegration- Fact Sheet,” UNMIS, 2010, accessed February 3, 2012, http://sudanddr.org/en/facts/Factsheet%20DDR%20CPA%20areas.pdf.
- “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in the Sudan,” United Nations (S/2009/545), October 21, 2009; “Disarmament, Demo and Reintegration.”
- “The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA,” UNMIS, December 2009.
Demobilization – 2010
According to the UNMIS, some 21,700 adult ex-combatants including women associated with armed forces or groups were demobilized in five different centers by mid-April 2010. It was also reported that over 13,000 participants received counseling on reintegration opportunities.1 As of 1 December 2010, the Sudan disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program had demobilized 33,693 ex-combatants — 23,678 in the North and 10,015 in the South — including 6,258 women.2 By the end of December 2010, the total number demobilized stood at 37,124.3 The DDR program was said to have funding shortage.
- “Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration-Fact Sheet.”
- “Report of the Secretary-General on the Sudan,” United Nations (S/2010/681), December 31, 2010.
- “The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA,” UNMIS, December 2010.
Demobilization – 2011
The DDR program, as of May 2011, demobilized 48,594 combatants–27,081 for SAF and 21,513 for SPLA. In Northern Sudan, a total of 36,069 DDR participants, including 5,985 female and 3,356 disabled participants, went through the demobilization process. In Southern Sudan, a total of 12,525 DDR participants, including 6,188 female and 617 disabled participants, had been demobilized. By the end of May, 31,525 (North: 19,811; South: 11,714) ex-combatants had been counseled on reintegration opportunities in the Sudan. Of these, 21,189 registered with UNDP’s DDR program implementation partners in order to receive reintegration support.1
The DDR program in South Sudan continued even after the successful secession in July 2011. Following the secession, the Republic of South Sudan DDR Commission was re-instituted by the interim National Constitution (July 2011). The commission expected to demobilize and disarm some 90,000 ex-combatants, of which a total of 12,525 were demobilized by December 2011. By December 2011, some 10,926 demobilized combatants (87%) registered with implementing partners for reintegration support training.