Reintegration: General Peace Agreement for Mozambique

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Reintegration: General Peace Agreement for Mozambique

Implementations

Reintegration – 1992

Reintegration of demobilized combatants from both sides was one mandate among many from the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (UNOMOZ), which was established in October 1992. Because the demobilization process did not begin in 1992, the reintegration process also did not begin in 1992.

The Supervisory and Monitoring Commission (CSC), which was to guarantee the implementation of the agreement, assumed its responsibility on 4 Nov. 1992. In its first meeting on 4 November 1992, it appointed the main subsidiary commissions: the Ceasefire Commission (CCF), the Commission for the Reintegration of Demobilized Military Personnel (CORE), as well as the Joint Commission for the Formation of the Mozambican Defence Forces (CCFADM).

Reintegration – 1993

On 28 December 1993, officials from the Mozambican government, RENAMO, and the UN discussed assembly points, training for the new army, and the reintegration of demobilized soldiers. On reintegration, the Mozambican Government minister said, “the reintegration of demobilized soldiers was a problem that would be resolved with the assistance of the international community. We had had many meetings, including an important one within the context of the World Bank’s Consultative Group that had met in Paris to see how those soldiers could receive financial assistance greater than that stipulated in the General Peace Accord. This is an important step being taken by the international community and the UN Office for Humanitarian Assistance Coordination” (BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 1993). The Minister suggested providing, with the backing of the international community, more financial assistance as well as more aid to integrate demobilized soldiers into Mozambique’s productive life and civilian life.1

“With the demobilization process well under way, UNOHAC focused particular attention on its programme for the reintegration of former combatants into civilian life. Through informal tripartite discussions within the Commission for Reintegration, it was to secure agreement on a three-pronged strategy to address the needs of ex-soldiers.”2

  1. “Government, RENAMO, UN Officials Discuss Assembly Points, Training for New Army,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, December 30, 1993.
  2. “Mozambique — ONUMOZ Background,” United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ), accessed September 13, 2010, http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/onumozFT.htm.

Reintegration – 1994

Mozambican combatants received six months’ severance pay for demobilization and additional reintegration subsidies, representing a further 18 months’ pay.1

The Reintegration and Support Scheme (RSS) provided a financial subsidy to all ex-combatants. This was set at MT 75,000 (approximately $15) for the lowest ranks and MT 1,270,080 ($130) for the highest-ranking officers, and was disbursed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on a monthly basis from the many branches of the Banco Popular de Desinvolvimento (BPD) located around the country.2

“In addition, one of the key underlying assumptions of the reintegration programme was the strongly held belief that the average soldier was of peasant origins and, first and foremost, would want to return to the land. In view of this, the decision was taken to provide each former soldier with a ‘kitÕ consisting of a hoe, a bucket and seeds. It was hoped that this would encourage former combatants to return to rural agricultural communities, where there were greater employment opportunities for less skilled ex-soldiers than in the urban and semi-urban areas.”3

“The Occupational Skills Development programme (OSD) provided vocational training to demobilized soldiers and was implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Utilizing established training centres, a curriculum was developed that incorporated 49 courses aimed at producing skilled and semi-skilled graduates.”4

By October 1994, the international humanitarian assistance program had aided the reintegration of some 200,000 former combatants and their dependents. With the demobilization process well under way, UNOHAC focused particular attention on its program for the reintegration of former combatants into civilian life. Through informal tripartite discussions within the Commission for Reintegration, agreement was secured on a three-pronged strategy to address the needs of ex-soldiers.5

An extension of the program was authorized in the form of the Provincial Fund — an approach that dovetailed nicely with the excess financial commitments donated to Mozambique — which was launched in November 1994.

On December 5, 1994, the government disbanded the Reintegration Commission and empowered the Labour Ministry to continue with the reintegration of war-demobilized personnel.6

On 16 December 1994, President Chissano appointed a new cabinet. A Social Reintegration Commission would be created.7

  1. The United Nations and Mozambique, 1992-1995, Blue Books Series, Volume V (New York: UN Department of Public Information, 1995).
  2. Chris Alden, “Making Old Soldiers Fade Away: Lessons from the Reintegration of Demobilized Soldiers in Mozambique,” Security Dialogue 33 no. 3 (September 2002): 344.
  3. Ibid.
  4. Ibid.
  5. “Mozambique — ONUMOZ Background,” United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ), accessed June 4, 2010, http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/onumozFT.htm.
  6. “Government to Continue Reintegration Process for RENAMO and Government Troops,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, December 8, 1994.
  7. “President Chissano Appoints New Cabinet,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, December 19, 1994.

Reintegration – 1995

No developments observed this year.

Reintegration – 1996

No developments observed this year.

Reintegration – 1997

“By 1997, the project cycle (and funding) of all of these initiatives had come to an end, the subsidies for ex-soldiers had run out, and the implementing agents were conducting their final impact assessments. These found unanimously that former combatants had been fully reintegrated into society, citing as evidence perceptions on the part of both demobilized soldiers. It was reported that the surveys of demobilized soldiers indicated that 85—90% of them felt that they were fully reintegrated into society.1

  1. Chris Alden, “Making Old Soldiers Fade Away,” 345.

Reintegration – 1998

No further developments observed.

Reintegration – 1999

No further developments observed.

Reintegration – 2000

No further developments observed.

Reintegration – 2001

No further developments observed.