Highlights

- Hundreds of militiamen take part in sensitization operation
- Framework on processing micro-projects for demobilized soldiers agreed
- IDPs to benefit from project worth 270m FCFA

.DDM

Hundreds of militiamen from groups based in western Côte d'Ivoire have been taking part in a sensitisation operation organized by Integrated Command Centre (ICC), as part of the disarmament and dismantling of militias (DDM) process, which ends today. In Duékoué, on the first day of the operation on 22 July 2008, some 350 APWE, Patriotic Alliance of the Wé (people) and UPRGO members took part in the exercise, during which the authorities clarified that DDM allowances would only be paid to the 2000 militia members identified in 2006 to take part in the process in Moyen Cavally. They would be given the opportunity to choose between reintegration and the allowance. in Bloléquin, the session was attended by more than 200 people mainly from FLGO and LIMA groups. Meanwhile in Zouan Hounien on 24 July 2008, UNOCI's DDR team met with the Prefect who said that he was not aware that there were militia groups in his area. However, more than 100 people took part in the session in Zouan Hounien. Many of them expressed their desire to reconcile with their relatives and return to their homes, particularly in Forces Nouvelles areas. They also stressed the need to bring back their members who are currently in Liberia. According to UNOCI's DDR staff, the sensitization session in Toulepleu was a tense affair because it seemed there was an internal struggle among the leadership and members did not really get the chance to ask questions. More than 200 people, mainly from FLGO and FS-LIMA, attended. A major concern among the militia members was that they would not be considered for the new reunified army. The sensitization operation which is due to end today in Zanié, also went to Guiglo and Zagne.

DDR

An official framework for the processing of 1000 micro-projects designed to help the reintegration of demobilized Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) soldiers, has been agreed. The agreement was signed yesterday in Bouaké at a meeting during which representatives from UNOCI, UNDP, OCHA, PNRRC, Licorne and FAFN discussed various aspects related to the criteria for approval and implementation of the projects. The agreement states that each project will be allocated between $500 to $1,000 and that beneficiaries must hold a demobilized ID card, provide evidence that they have a project site at their disposal and have completed all the required formalities. Another important feature of the new framework is the approval of a community project for local residents, to facilitate the reintegration of demobilized soldiers into local communities and promote social cohesion.

IDPs

A working group composed of representatives of UNOCI, UNDP, FN and the Ministry of Solidarity and War Victims met yesterday in Bouaké to evaluate the pilot phase of a reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) project worth 270 million FCFA. The aim of the project is to help more than 340 IDPs initiate various income-generating activities, which would help them resettle in the Vallée du Bandama region. The project is being financed by the Swedish Government and supervised by UNDP. The resettlement of IDPs is a major aspect of the overall objective of supporting and enhancing social cohesion in the region.

Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Office in Abidjan, accompanied by UNPOL visited the Sud-Comoé region on 23 and 24 July 2008, to asses the general human rights situation in relation to the forthcoming elections. The Office met with regional and local authorities and discussed the need to establish a mechanism of sharing information related to human rights violations. The UNOCI team also met with representatives of political parties and civil society organizations. At the end of the discussions, the Office was asked to conduct a sensitization campaign on human rights and the upcoming elections.