Delegates from seven East and Central African states will discuss the future of ex-combatants and former child-soldiers at a meeting due next week in Paris, France. According to a statement issued by the World Bank yesterday, delegates from Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda will participate in the meeting scheduled for December 11-12. Other delegates are expected from Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo. The Chairman of Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), John Sayinzoga confirmed yesterday that he will attend the two-day meeting. He will attend a seminar thereafter, on December 13, for practitioners and experts from around the world to discuss Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) issues. Sayinzoga didn’t however give details of what the Rwandan delegation will present at the talks. He instead referred us to Gender and Family Promotion Minister, Valerie Nyirahabineza, for details. However, the minister couldn’t be reached by press time. But the World Bank said the meeting will attract development and security experts from the UN, European Union, African Development Bank and other 12 bilateral donors. Participants from within and outside the DDR partnership will exchange best practices, lessons and analysis on the reinsertion and reintegration of ex-combatants. They will also focus on the needs of child-soldiers and youth in demobilisation and reintegration programmes. Ends
