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 KINSHASA 00000621 002 OF 002 appear high, and could only likely be achieved through new recruitment by militia leaders. End comment. MEECE