More than 1,100 South Darfur ex-combatants lay down arms

More than 1,100 South Darfur ex-combatants lay down arms

2011-06-08 00:53:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on Tuesday announced that more than 1,100 South Darfur ex-combatants laid down arms as part of the disarmament campaign.

The former combatants were members of both Sudanese Armed Forces and those rebel groups who had signed previous peace accords with the government. The disarmament took place in Nyala, South Darfur.

This marked the completion of the two-week process in which participants also underwent a medical examination and a psychological assessment. The ex-fighters will begin the process to return to civilian life.

In addition, UNAMID provided HIV/AIDS testing and counseling to the ex-combatants, seminars for their reintegration into civil society, occupational training and received a reinsertion allowance to help rebuild their livelihoods.

The disarmament campaign was launched on May 22 and was organized by the North Sudan Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee with logistical and technical support from UNICEF, UNDP and UNAMID.

In April, UNAMID supported another disarmament program in El Geneina, West Darfur. The ten-day process was organized by the National Sudanese Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Coordination Council, with logistical support from UNAMID and other local organizations.

Darfur has been severely affected by the armed conflict between rebels and government forces. In February 2003, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebelled against the Sudanese government due to the oppression of non-Arab people in Darfur.

After years of fighting, the Sudanese government and the JEM agreed on a ceasefire in February 2010. An estimated 300,000 people have been killed and 2.7 million others displaced so far.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-08