UNDP LAUNCHES NEW DEMOBILIZATION PROGRAM FOR ITURI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000621

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV KPKO CG
SUBJECT: UNDP LAUNCHES NEW DEMOBILIZATION PROGRAM FOR ITURI
MILITIAS


Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (U) Summary: The UN Development Program (UNDP) signed an
accord with GDRC officials June 1 to launch a new
demobilization, disarmament and reinsertion (DDR) program for
militias in the DRC's northeastern Ituri District. The three
million USD project, partially co-financed by USAID, aims to
demobilize nearly 4,500 militia members over 60 days. Those
who opt for demobilization and community reinsertion will be
given the opportunity to participate in "high-intensity work
projects" for a three-month period. The newly demobilized
will no longer receive the 25 USD per month stipend
previously given to ex-combatants but instead will be paid
two USD a day during the work program. End summary.


2. (U) UNDP Resident Coordinator and MONUC DSRSG Ross
Mountain signed an accord with Minister of Defense Chikez
Diemu June 1 that seeks to complete the demobilization
process of remaining militia forces in Ituri District. UNDP
and GDRC officials expect to target nearly 4,500 members from
the three main Ituri militias: the Force for Patriotic
Resistance in Ituri (FRPI) of Cobra Matata; the Congolese
Revolutionary Movement (MRC) of Mathieu Ngudjolo; and the
Nationalist and Integrationist Front (FNI) of Peter Karim.
The program, costing three million USD, is co-financed by
Japan, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden, in addition to 500,000
USD provided by USAID.


3. (U) The initial disarmament period will last 60 days,
although no starting date has been set. Each militia group
will be required to submit a complete list of its members to
military authorities before the program begins. Once the GDRC
approves the lists of potential participants, the militias
will be allowed to send members to transits sites in Bunia
and Kpandroma for biometric registration.


4. (U) According to the plan, the new ex-combatants will
receive demobilization kits at the transit sites, where they
will choose between integrating into the military or
rejoining civilian life. Based on past experience in Ituri,
UNDP officials say they expect two-thirds of the anticipated
ex-combatants (approximately, 3,150 people) to opt for
community reinsertion. Those who select this option will be
given an initial payment of 110 USD for transport costs back
to their communities.


5. (U) Once resettled, the ex-combatants will be employed in
"high-intensity work projects," designated by UNDP or one of
its implementing partners, over the course of three months.
UNDP officials said most will be engaged in road
rehabilitation programs and paid two USD per day. This
payment mechanism is a departure from previous DDR programs
in which ex-combatants were given a stipend of 25 USD a month
for 12 months. Following the initial three-month project, the
participants will be offered different options for community
and economic reinsertion, such as an apprenticeship or
assistance to begin revenue-generating activities. The
ex-combatants will officially complete the program after an
additional 12 months during which UNDP will continue to
provide some nominal support.


6. (C) This program reflects the new attitude of the GDRC,
particularly Diemu, in favor a more "community-based"
approach to demobilization efforts. Others, however, are more
critical of UNDP's plans. World Bank officials, who manage
the 200 million USD Multi-Country Demobilization and
Reintegration Program (MDRP),told us in mid-May that
community rebuilding, not simply reinsertion, was the
preferred solution for Ituri. They criticized UNDP's proposal
(at the time under consideration, but not yet announced) for
not being "sustainable," particularly as employment in
activities such as road-building would presumably not provide
ex-combatants with sufficient skills to earn a living. MDRP
officials countered that the demobilized would be better
served if given training in farming or carpentry -- areas
they claim have a higher demand for workers.


7. (C) Comment: The UNDP's new DDR program will have to
overcome significant obstacles if it is to succeed.
Ex-combatants have proven far more interested in the past in
receiving the traditional 25 USD per month stipend than in
learning new job skills. For those who do choose community
reinsertion, the difficulty will be in gaining experience
that can be sufficiently utilized in Ituri, where there are
few sustainable employment opportunities. In addition,
estimates of a possible 4,500 militia members participating

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appear high, and could only likely be achieved through new
recruitment by militia leaders. End comment.
MEECE