CAR launches second phase demobilisation process of ex-combatants

Bangui (Central African Republic) The second phase demobilisation and reintegration process of the ex-combatants is underway in the Central African Republic (CAR), through the Community Support Project (PRAC), an official source told APA Monday. The Central African government, in conjunction with the United Nations Development (UNDP), started the operation since Saturday. “This second phase of demobilisation and reintegration concerns 2,000 ex-combatants in the cities of Sibut, Bozoum and some localities about 100 km of Bangui,” Captain Alphonse Ballot, national expert in disarmament at the Central African Defence Ministry, told APA. Captain Ballot indicated that the delay noted in the implementation of the 2006 PRAC programme concerning the number of ex-combatants not integrated will be made up over the last two months of this year. One thousand and seven hundred combatants were demobilised and reintegrated last year while 5,000 were to follow, according to the forecast of the PRAC. Ex-combatants are mostly young civilians enrolled in the militias of the former regime of President Ange-Felix Patasse and rebel movements created in CAR from 1996 to 2003. UNDP agreed to finance the PRAC for the management of ex-combatants, as part of the re-establishment of peace in the country, following the overthrow of Patasse by the current head of state Francois Bozize in March 2003. UNDP estimated the number of ex-combatants across the country at 25,000 in 2004, following a survey and an awareness campaign on voluntary disarmament and the reintegration of disarmed people conducted by experts. Published by Korir, API/APN africanpress@chello.no tel             +47 932 99 739        or             +47 6300 2525        source.apa