WESTERN MILITIAS DISARMAMENT UPDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABIDJAN 000857 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO ASEC IV SUBJECT: WESTERN MILITIAS DISARMAMENT UPDATE REF: ABIDJAN 839 Classified By: Poloff Phaedra Gwyn for reasons 1.4 b&d 1.(C) According to Brahima Sangare, Secretary General of the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Committee (PNDDR) some 880 of the total 2000 militia members that ex-combatants had registered as of August 1, slightly ahead of their 150-per-day goal. He was unwilling to give exact numbers of weapons but said he hopes that about 75% of combatants will turn in arms. They expect roughly 1500 weapons to be turned in by August 6, the last day of the first phase. If they have not received enough weapons, the PNDDR will ask ONUCI to assist them. 2.(U) Ex-combatants will return for the second payment of the 940 USD in 45 days and the final payment in three months. During that time the PNDDR will work with private industry and any other willing partners to help with the socioeconomic reinsertion. 3.(C) OCHA is in the west following the disarmament and told us that on July 27, 192 militia members disarmed but almost no weapons were turned in. On July 28, they could provide no numbers but said that a small amount of weapons had been turned over to the UN. The PNDDR has scheduled a press conference for August 3, at which it will announce the numbers of militias registered as well as weapons turned in. Hooks