The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Air Force (UPDAF) Deputy Commander, Maj Gen David Isimbwa, has announced new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set to enhance disarmament, mobilisation, repatriation, and integration of armed forces who renounce rebellion and choose peace in the Great Lakes region.
Speaking during the closure of the week-long second regional working group meeting on Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants and their dependents in Entebbe on Friday, Maj Gen Isimbwa emphasised the importance of non-military means in resolving conflicts.
“This process of applying non-military means to resolve conflicts is very important because if conflicts that have been ongoing were to be solved by force, then we would not be having these conflicts around. After all, we have not run short of the forceful means,” he said.
He added, “But we have realised that not only the forceful means can be used to bring about peace. Whereas there are all other means that we can solve problems, we should also have non-military means, like we are doing today.”
The African Union (AU) High Representative, Burundi, Mr Sghair M’Bareck Said, revealed that discussions are underway to bring back groups destabilising the region to lay down their arms.
“This responsibility comes back to us as a regional body which has put in place the disarmament procedures and the DDR mechanism,” he said.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda’s Great Lakes affairs official, Ambassador Robert Masolo, stated that since the launch of the Contact and Coordination Group (CCG) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, last year, there have been signs of willingness from certain armed groups to respond to the call and return voluntarily to their countries of origin.
“The progress is both remarkable and promising, as it reflects the potential of collective peaceful approaches to resolving long-standing regional security challenges,” he said.
The meeting developed a Standard Operating Procedure that provides the structure, coherence, and predictability of the regional DDR efforts.
“This document will serve as a harmonised framework to guide our actions, enhance coordination, and improve information sharing among CCG member states,” Ambassador Masolo said.
Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) chairperson Ms Valery Nyirahabineza said the commission has demobilised over 12,652 men and women and 652 child ex-combatants, with over 13,000 dependents and civilians associated with armed groups received, rehabilitated, and reintegrated into their communities.
The new SOPs are expected to strengthen regional cooperation and improve the handling of armed groups, with reception centres already set up in Kasese (Uganda), Mutobo (Rwanda), Gitenga (Burundi), and Uvira (DRC).