Deputy SRSG, Mr. Mbaye Babacar Cisse, who is also Coordinator of the UN System and Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme in Cote d'Ivoire also attended the meeting aimed at taking stock of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration-DDR- process in Cote d'Ivoire. "This meeting falls within the framework of periodic consultations to examine progress made in the DDR process and the important support we get from the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI)," Mr. Sarassoro said at the end of the meeting.
Mr. Saarassoro disclosed that UNOCI's role in the reintegration of 27,000 ex-combatants out of the 30,000 envisaged was at the level of technical, logistics and financial assistance. Financial assistance enabled the payment of training allowances, and fees for trainers.
Speaking about the DDR seminar held in Yamoussoukro last week, the ADDR Director-General told the press that it was intended to make a balance sheet of DDR activities for 2013 and indicate prospects for 2014. "I was satisfied with the prospects for DDR and we hope 2014 would be the year in which DDR objectives would be met so we can move ahead with the development process," Mr. Sarasosro predicted.
For his part, the World Bank Director of Operations, Ousmae Diagana reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to support the DDR process in Cote d'Ivoire.
