BY BETELHEM BEDLU
ADDIS ABABA -The active involvement of the federal and state governments as well as other relevant stakeholders constitutes the success of the national demobilization and rehabilitation program, the National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC) said.
The disarmament and reintegration of ex-combatants should not be left to a single entity, and the involvement of all actors is vital to return the ex-fighters to civilian lives, Commissioner Teshome Toga told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA).
Ambassador Teshome indicated the federal and state governments are at the forefront in supporting the commission’s efforts to help the ex-combatants to lead a productive life. “The experience from countries which have gone through similar paths indicated that the disarmament and rehabilitation process needed close partnership.”
Though the government leads the commission, the private sector’s involvement is highly commendable owing to the capital-intensive nature of the demobilization and reintegration activities. “As we have been affected by the unrest, we are going to be equally beneficiaries of the peace. Thus, it is vital to encompass civil society organizations and other bodies.”
Noting the government’s limited capacity to fund the demobilization and rehabilitation activities, he stressed that most of the expense is covered through development cooperation. Currently, the commission is working closely with the United Nations and UNDP to successfully conduct the reintegration program as well as experience sharing in the issue.
“As we are getting rid of the conflict recently, the participation of development partners, the private sector, and civil society organization’s participation is crucial to help the ex-fighters to change their livelihoods.”
The commissioner further highlighted that the NRC is not only working to disarm the ex-combatants and help them to pursue normal life and it has also the vision to cascade the rehabilitation program into conflict-affected communities. To this end, the commission is partnering with relevant stakeholders including the ministries of peace, labor, and skill as well as health.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 4 APRIL 2023
