Mapel donates land for DDR transitional facility

9 Dec 2011

Mapel donates land for DDR transitional facility

7 December 2011 - To support the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) of former South Sudanese combatants, residents of Mapel Payam, Western Bahr El-Ghazal State, today donated a 1.2- kilometre-square piece of land for a DDR transitional facility.

"This project (DDR) is one of the top priorities in the agenda of the Government of South Sudan to help stabilize (the country) and bring peace and development," said UNMISS State Coordinator Ibrahima Ndiaye.

He added that UNMISS would provide technical support for the process and urged Mapel's local authority to maintain security for the UNMISS facility and personnel, so that they could render services required.

"This new DDR mission will be successful," said DDR Commission State Director Romano Opio, thanking UNMISS for its commitment in assisting South Sudanese to transform the Sudan People's Liberation Army into a professional military.

"We are very happy now that development is coming to our people," said Mapel Payam Administrator Daniel Uchalla.

UNMISS also launched a project to construct a seven-kilometre road up to the DDR transitional facility. The road, to be constructed by the UNMISS Chinese Engineering contingent, is expected to be completed in 15 days.

Cirilo Meka Kon, executive chief of Mapel Payam, said he would mobilise the entire community to respect and support the project.

"We thank the community for its warm welcome and commitment," said Col. Wang Rui, Chinese contingent commander in the state.

Col. Rui urged local residents to join hands with the international community in developing the state and reiterated the contingent's commitment to support the people of South Sudan.

As stipulated in South Sudan's National DDR Strategy, transition facilities will be set up in all 10 states for the demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants. UNMISS is designing and constructing the facilities on behalf of the South Sudan DDR Commission.