Addis Ababa, April 18, 2023 (FBC) – The National Rehabilitation Commission of Ethiopia (NRC) has announced that the registration and reintegration of ex-combatants will begin in June.
The Ethiopian government has embarked the process of demobilizing and reintegration of ex-combatants at the national level as part of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
The National Rehabilitation Commission has been established in December 2022 to carry out the National Demobilization and Reintegration Program (NDRP). It is said that the Commission is making preparations to start its activities.
The Commissioner of the National Rehabilitation Commission, Teshome Toga, said that efforts are being made to enable ex-combatants to return to their peaceful lives and participate in the country’s sustainable peace, democracy, and development process.
He mentioned that it has been three months since the commission began its work, noting that so far the activities of organizing the commission, instilling its objectives, and conducting discussions with partners to raise financial support have been done.
Teshome underscored that in Tigray, Amhara, Afar, Oromia, and Benshangul Gumuz regions, a consensus has been reached on the preliminary arrangements needed to rehabilitate ex-combatants through discussions with government officials and stakeholders.
A consultation will be held in Hawassa this week with the leaders of South, South West Ethiopia and Gambella regions to ensure a common stance regarding the process of reintegrating ex-combatants, it is noted.
The NRC Commissioner also confirmed that the Commission has prepared a two-year schedule and action plan to carry out concerted activities of rehabilitating ex-combatants.
In discussions held with partners, envoys and representatives of various countries and multilateral organizations have also pledged their support to Ethiopia’s efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability, he said.
It is also mentioned that once the national defense forces and other security institutions conclude disarmament of the ex-combatants, rehabilitation activities will start immediately.
It is revealed that some 250,000 to 300,000 ex-combatants will be included in the national rehabilitation program. The Commissioner confirmed that 550 million USD is needed to the process.
Once the disarmament of ex-combatants from all parts of the country is complete, the reintegration and registration work will begin in June 2023, Teshome disclosed.
According to the Commissioner, the registration will be carried out via digital system and necessary software and other technologies are being developed for the activities.
It is learned that the name, residential address, work status, health, education and other details will be included in the registration process.
In addition to the registration, a team to evaluate the centers in each region has been established in order to speed up the process of reintegration of ex-combatants to the centers.
Teshome added that the Commission will work with the national defense forces and regional governments in evaluating the current situation in terms of logistics, social services and security.