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Central African Republic: Bouar hosts awareness caravan ahead of "grand disarmament"

http://french.xinhuanet.com/2018-12/02/c_137645880.htm

Central African Republic: Bouar hosts awareness caravan ahead of "grand disarmament"

BOUAR (Central African Republic), December 1 (Xinhua) - An awareness caravan supposed to prepare Central African armed groups to join the so-called Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Repatriation (DDRR) process in the western regions is today in Bouar (west), it was found on Saturday.

The "big disarmament" in question will be launched in the coming days in Paoua, according to the schedule given by the president Faustin-Archange Touadéra.

Taking advantage of a sports meeting in Bouar on the occasion of the festivities of 1 December marking the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of the Central African Republic, Abel Déholo, DDRR communications officer, insisted on the need to return weapons, the first step of this process.

He recalled that this disarmament was the consequence of the agreement reached on May 10, 2015 between the government and the representatives of the armed groups. In his eyes, this will have a positive impact on peace and development, the foundations of the restoration of state authority throughout the country.

Mr. Déholo also mentioned the reintegration mechanisms of ex-combatants, who could join the gendarmerie, the police, the Waters and Forests, the customs or firefighters, if they meet the criteria, or learn a trade by example in agriculture, breeding, trade, carpentry, mechanics, electricity or computing. He indicated that installation kits will be provided.

The DDRR process in Central Africa is supported by the local UN Mission (MINUSCA) and the World Bank.

Prior to the large DDRR itself, a pilot program had already been piloted, incorporating 234 young ex-combatants into the army and adding another 280 socio-economically.

The awareness caravan will cover the cities of Bossemptele, Baoro, Baboua, Zoukombo, Beloko, Niem Yelewa, Koui, Bocaranga and Bozoum. A similar campaign had traveled from November 3 to 10, many localities of the sub-prefecture of Paoua.

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