• Country/entity

  Uganda
  

• Region

  Africa (excl MENA)
  

• Agreement name

  Agreement on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration, Juba, Sudan

• Date

  29 Feb 2008

• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed

• Interim arrangement

  Yes

• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Ugandan Conflicts (1970 - ) )

• Stage

  Framework/substantive - partial

• Conflict nature

  Government

• Peace process

  Uganda peace process

• Parties

  Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda (Dr) Minister of Internal Affairs and Head of GoU Delegation.
  
  Dr David Nyekorach Matsanga, Leader of the LRA/M Delegation.

• Third parties

  Witnessed by: H.E. Lt. General Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon (PhD), Vice President, Government of Southern Sudan and Chief Mediator of the Peace Talks. H.E. Joaquim Alberto Chissano, United Nations Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the LRA affected areas. H.E. Andre M Kapanga (PhD), for the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. H.E. Japeth R. Getugi, for the Government of the Republic of Kenya. H.E. Nsavike G. Ndatta, for the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. L.t Gen. (Rtd.) Gilbert Lebeko Ramano, for the Government of the Republic of South Africa. H.E. Heidi Johansen, for the Government of Norway. Mr Roeland van de Geer, EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region H.E. Bryan E. Burton, for the Government of Canada Mr Timothy R. Shortley, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, for the Government of the United States of America.

• Description

  The Agreement on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) provides for the implementation process in accordance with the Implementation Schedule of the Final Peace Agreement. This process must be carried out in conformity with UN IDDRS. The agreement entails special provisions for children, youth and women and provides for the implementation of repatriation and reception process. The Ceasefire monitoring team (CMT) will be responsible for its implementation.

• Agreement document

  UG_080229_Agreement on DDR.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

AGREEMENT ON DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION AND REINTEGRATION

JUBA, SUDAN

This Agreement, between the Government of Uganda (The Government) and the Lord's Resistance Army/Movement (LRA/M) (herein referred to as the 'Parties'):

THE PARTIES:

HAVING BEEN engaged in negotiations in Juba Southern Sudan in order to find just, peaceful and sustainable solutions to the conflict and to promote reconciliation and restore harmony and tranquillity within the affected communities;

HAVING CONCLUDED agreements on Comprehensive Solutions, Accountability and Reconciliation and a Permanent Ceasefire;

COMMITIED to a conclusion of the Juba Peace Talks and an orderly and successful disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process in line with national policies and international standards;

RECOGNISING that Uganda already has mechanisms for receiving and resettling former-combatants, and determined to draw and build on that

experience;

NOW THEREFORE AGREE as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

Unless the context suggests otherwise, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning assigned thereto:

"Child" refers to any person below the age of eighteen (18).

"CMT" refers to the Ceasefire Monitoring Team.

"DDR" refers to Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration as defined in the UN IDDRS.

"Gender" refers to the two sexes, men and women, within the context of society.

"GoSS" refers to the Government of Southern Sudan.

"GoU" refers to the Government of the Republic of Uganda.

"IDDRS" refers to the Integrated Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Standards of the United Nations.

"LRA/M" refers to the Lord's Resistance Army/Movement.

"PROP" refers to Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda.

"Repatriation" refers to the movement and return of LRA members from the Assembly Area to Uganda or their respective countries;

or the

movement from Uganda to their home country.

"Ri-Kwang-Ba Assembly Area" refers to the area within the Southern Sudan delineated by a ten (10) - kilometres radius from the

administrative headquarters of Ri-Kwang-Ba.

2. THE DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION AND REINTEGRATION (DDR) PROCESS

General Provisions

2.1. The Parties affirm their commitment to the following:

(a) ensuring that all necessary actions are taken to achieve the overall purpose of the DDR process;

(b) ensuring effective national and community ownership, leadership and responsibility for the DDR process;

and,

(c) ensuring that the DDR process protects, dignifies and benefits women in their own right and ensures the equal participation of women in the DDR process.

2.2. The Government shall adapt its Reintegration Policy to be consistent with this Agreement.

The Policy shall:

(a) guide the adoption and implementation of a DDR Programme that shall become an integral part of the Government's Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda (PROP);

(b) reflect the lessons learned by existing national mechanisms in receiving and reinserting ex-combatants and will have regard to regional and international best-practice;

(c) cover gender mainstreaming as well as women and girl specific aspects of reintegration programming;

and,

(d) shall be consistent with the provisions of the Children Act of Uganda.

2.3. In the Assembly Area, the CMT shall record:

(a) the full particulars of LRA members;

(b) the intention of any LRA member who might wish to be absorbed into the Ugandan armed forces or any national

security agency.

2.4. Upon the signing of the Final Peace Agreement, the Government shall urgently take the necessary steps to fulfill its obligations under clauses 14.5, 14.6, 14.7 and 14.8 of the Agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation.

2.5. LRA members who do not join the armed forces or other security agencies shall be demobilised at their ranks, provided that those ranks shall not be recognised by the Uganda People's Defence Forces.

Children

2.6. The Parties recognize that the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups is a violation of children's rights.

Commitments of the GoU

2.7. To implement a return and reintegration programme for children associated with the LRA that harnesses national and community

ownership and adheres to relevant international standards, including the Paris Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups, and clause 12 of the Agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation signed by the Parties on 29 June 2007.

2.8. To provide reintegration support for children returning from the LRA within inclusive community based programs for conflict-affected

children and youth.

2.9. To provide reintegration support that emphasises educational and livelihood opportunities, and gives particular attention to the

situation and needs of girls and young mothers.

2.10.

To make special provision for children who may require family and community mediation, treatment for war related illnesses and

injuries, targeted mental health services, and other specialised services.

Commitment of the LRA/M

2.11.

To ensure the earliest release and repatriation to Uganda of pregnant and lactating women along with all children under 18

years of age.

Commitment of both Parties

2.12.

Any person identified in the adult disarmament and demobilisation process to be under 18 years of age ( other than children accompanying their mothers) will be immediately referred to the agencies implementing the removal and reintegration program for children.

Youth

2.13.

The Government shall provide reintegration programmes for former LRA combatants that are responsive to the particular needs and

aspirations of the youth and in accordance with any relevant policies on youth in Uganda.

Insofar as relevant, the guidelines on Youth and DDR in the UN IDDRS shall be applied.

Women

2.14.

The Parties shall ensure that the DDR process fully incorporates the special rights and needs of women.

In particular, Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (2000) and clauses 10 and 11 of the Agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation shall be observed.

2.15.

As far as possible funding for specific measures for women and girls in the reintegration phase of the DDR process shall be

earmarked for that purpose.

Special Needs

2.16.

The Parties agree to ensure the earliest repatriation of persons requiring medical attention and persons with disabilities.

3. CEASEFIRE MONITORING TEAM

3.1. The Ceasefire Monitoring Team (CMT) shall be responsible for the implementation of the disarmament and demobilisation process in

coordination with other agencies as necessary.

3.2. The CMT shall monitor the implementation of specific clauses on children, women and persons with special needs contained in this

Agreement.

3.3. The GMT shall include female members.

4. DISARMAMENT

4.1 .

The disarmament process will be implemented in accordance with the Implementation Schedule of the Final Peace Agreement and

shall be guided by the United Nations Integrated Disarmament,

Demobilisation and Reintegration Standards (IDDRS).

4.2. The CMT shall adopt a Disarmament Operations Plan as well as any necessary procedures for carrying out its functions.

These may

provide for the following matters:

(a) Specific procedures for any unaccompanied children encountered in the process;

(b) Definition of the roles and responsibilities of the various actors;

(c) Immediate standing down measures, including LRA deployment inside Ri-Kwang-Ba Assembly Area;

(d) Establishment of disarmament sites;

(e) Specification of on-site measures putting weapons beyond immediate use;

(f) Collection and management of information;

(g) Weapons collection, retrieval and off-site storage;

(h) Stockpile management;

and,

(i) Cost estimates and budgeting.

5. DEMOBILISATION

5.1. The LRA will demobilise from encampments within Ri-Kwang-Ba Assembly Area.

5.2. The CMT shall monitor the conditions at the LRA encampments within the Assembly Area to ensure that they conform to applicable

national and international standards.

5.3. The LRNM shall collaborate with all relevant implementing agencies and actors to ensure that the LRA encampment sites

conform to national and international standards.

5.4. The CMT shall draw on UN DDR, World Bank and other technical expertise to make further arrangements for:

(a) the encampment of the LRA in the Assembly Area;

(b) gender specific measures for implementing the principles set out in clause 2.1 of this Agreement;

(c) protection from sexual violence or abuse, appropriate services for pregnant women and lactating mothers, and adequate

presence of female staff;

(d) child specific measures including appropriate facilities and specialised child protection trained staff;

(e) cross-border movement;

(f) reception in Uganda;

and,

(g) determining the timeframe within which activities are to be undertaken.

6. REPATRIATION AND RECEPTION

6.1. During the disarmament and demobilisation of the LRA, the CMT shall arrange for their repatriation from the Ri-Kwang-Ba Assembly Area to Uganda for purposes of their reintegration and other programmes.

6.2. The Government shall identify and prepare various reception points in Uganda for former LRA members.

Priority will be given to

reception points in the conflict-affected areas.

LRA members may indicate at which of these reception points they prefer to be

received.

6.3. In the repatriation and reception process, consideration will be given to the special needs of children, women and non-combatants.

Separate transitional accommodation will be provided for men, women and children.

6.4. Non-Ugandan LRA members will be repatriated to or remain in their respective countries.

7. REINTEGRATION PROGRAMME

The Parties agree that:

7 .1.

The reintegration programme shall be implemented according to the Reintegration Policy referred to in clause 2.2.

7.2. Former LRA combatants and non-combatants shall be supported in their transition to civilian life.

7.3. LRA officers who have chosen not to join the armed forces or other security agencies shall receive reintegration support in line with Uganda's national reintegration policy.

7.4. All former LRA members who wish to go to school, including vocational training schools, shall be assisted to do so.

7.5. Any support under the reintegration programme shall have a specific timeframe.

7.6. Reintegration support provided to former LRA should promote harmony within the wider community.

8. ELIGIBILITY

8.1. All LRA members who present themselves in the Ri-Kwang-Ba Assembly Area shall be eligible for individual access to the DDR programme.

8.2. The CMT will issue certificates to LRA members in the Assembly Area.

8.3. Arrangements shall be made in Uganda for the DDR of any LRA members who may surface in Uganda after the signature of this Agreement, provided that such persons come forward at places of worship and to cultural leaders, with their weapons within 2 weeks after a sensitisation period of 2 weeks.

9. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

9.1. The relevant aspects of the DDR programme shall be implemented in Uganda under its national legal framework.

10. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

10.1.

The Government shall adopt a national institutional framework to ensure the most effective implementation of the DDR programme in

accordance with the Implementation Schedule of the Final Peace Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the duly authorized representatives of the Parties have signed this agreement in Juba on the .... day of February

2008

Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda (Dr) Minister of Internal Affairs and Head of GoU Delegation

Dr David Nyekorach Matsanga Leader of the LRNM Delegation

WITNESSED BY:

H.E. Lt.

General Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon (PhD) Vice President, Government of Southern Sudan And Chief Mediator of the Peace Talks

H.E Joaquim Alberto Chissano United Nations Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the LRA affected areas

H.E. Andre M Kapanga (PhD) For the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo

H.E Japheth R. Getugi For the Government of the Republic of Kenya

H.E. Nsavrke G Ndatta For the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania

Lt. Gen. (Rtd.)

Gilbert Lebeko Ramano For the Government of the Republic of South Africa

Ms. Heidi Johansen For the Government of Norway

Mr Roeland van de Geer EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region

H.E Bryan E. Burton For the Government of Canada

Mr Timothy R. Shortley Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, For the Government of the United States of America