700 Ivorian ex-combatants for re-integration into transport, trade, agriculture

Peace eludes the country two years after post election crisis.

The Ivorian Authority for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (ADDR) on Monday in Abidjan said about 700 ex-combatants would be reintegrated into the transport, trade and agriculture sectors.

ADDR’s Head, Demobilization and Reintegration, Karma Soro, told reporters that the programme, which is to get the ex-combatants back into the society, remained dear to government’s heart.

The office was established in August 2012 under the supervision of the National Security Council with President Alassane Ouattara as its chairman.

Hundreds of Ivorian young men took up arms at the height of the post-election crisis that rocked the country.

Mr. Soro, who called on the ex-combatants to be patient, said that the programme needed proper implementation to be sustained.

“We will reintegrate 700 into areas such as transport, trade, carpentry, automobile mechanic and the agric sector,’’ he said. “But we have to be patient, we do not want anybody to be left out, the process has to be all inclusive, all the target groups must be captured.”

He said that the programme would restore the dignity of the ex-combatants and provide them with means of livelihood.

The Ivorian government recently announced that it requires 85 billion CFA to implement the reintegration programme involving about 64, 000 ex-combatants.

According to the government, 10 per cent of the affected persons will be deployed to the customs and prison services while the rest will go into the private sector.

Some citizens are expressing fears that without sincere disarmament and reconciliation, realisation of peace in the country will be difficult.