CONGO: DDR office opens in Pool region

BRAZZAVILLE, 4 Apr 2005 (IRIN) - A branch office of the Republic of Congo's commission for the reintegration of ex-combatants has been opened in Kinkala, the main town in the troubled Department of Pool.

The prefect of Pool, Michel Sangha, said the office would facilitate the effective implementation of a disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programme under way in the area.

Opening the office on Saturday, the head of the national DDR Commission, Michel Ngakala, said 450 ex-combatants registered in a previous DDR programme had already undergone the process.

"What is important for us is that we will not be able to have water, electricity, education and health; and to promote the production in this department if we do not have peace," he said. "This is the determining moment."

The director of the newly opened DDR office, Capt Emannuel Kodia, said, "There is time for everything. There was war, now it is necessary to make peace."

The commission launched the Pool's DDR emergency programme on 5 March.

The DDR Commission was set up following the signing of ceasefire agreement in November and December 1999 between the government and Ninja rebels, led by the Reverend Frederic Bitsangou, alias Pasteur Ntoumi. The Pool is the stronghold of the Ninjas. The UN Development Programme, the International Office of Migration and other development partners support the DDR programme. The World Bank finances it.

Two previous DDR programmes have been undertaken in the country. However, not all ex-combatants were involved due to lack of funds as well as difficulty in reaching those in the war-torn Pool Department.

The Congolese government designed this latest DDR programme to cover militiamen who did not take part in the previous programmes.

This DDR programme became effective after the signing of an accord between the government and Ntoumi on 17 March 2003.

ROC Prime Minister Isidore Mvouba said this DDR programme would take three months. He added that it would contribute to political stability and the reinforcement of peace across the country.

[ENDS]