2 October 2012 - Lasting peace and stability in South Sudan will depend on the success of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), a Unity State official said today.

Closing a one-day sensitization workshop in Bentiu on Phase II of the disarmament process, Unity State DDR Commission Coordinator George Gatloi urged political leaders and citizens to support his organization in its work.

Some 40 representatives of state ministries, youth, military and paramilitary groups attended the event.

"We must educate our people about the importance of DDR," said Mr. Gatloi, calling for concerted efforts to make DDR a reality in the state and entire country.

Phase II of the process aims to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate 150,000 ex-combatants from the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and organized forces, including police, prisons, wildlife and fire brigade, back into society. Phase I was completed in 2011 under the auspices of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), demobilizing a total of 12,525 ex-combatants.

UNMISS State Coordinator Abdur Rauf Abbasi said that the success of DDR in the state and beyond lay with the people of South Sudan.

"We are here to assist," he said. "You are the owner. Make your people understand the concept of DDR."

The Unity State DDR Commission organized the workshop with funding from UNMISS.

UNMISS supports the government of South Sudan in expanding the new DDR programme through capacity building and other technical as well as logistical support.