Consultations on Ethiopia’s demobilization and reintegration programme held with development partners
National Demobilization and Reintegration Programme (NDRP) for ex-combatants that is being developed by the National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC) was discussed with development partners in Addis Ababa. This meeting follows a first National Consultation on demobilization and reintegration which was held in Mekelle on 10 March 2023; similar Consultations will also be held in Bahir Dar, Semera and other locations in Ethiopia.
The NRC was established by the Government in November 2022 for a period of two years to assist with demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants across the country. The draft NDRP prepared by the Commission follows the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Government of Ethiopia and the
Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in November 2022. This National Programme will support demobilisation and reintegration of up to 250,000 ex-combatants in Ethiopia, and will be implemented in several parts of the country, making an important contribution to national efforts to consolidate peace and promote stability.
In connection with the discussion on the NDRP, the Government of Ethiopia underscored at the meeting that resource mobilisation and implementation of the broader national recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction programme for conflictimpacted areas of Ethiopia will take place in a coordinated manner with a view to promoting sustainable peace and development, and ensuring that disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants remains an integral part of this process. Support to the demobilisation and reintegration process by partners is expected to play a significant role in peace support efforts, and in creating an environment in which a peace process, political and social reconciliation, access to livelihoods as well as sustainable development can take root.