Over 150 ex-combatants have been demobilized in Aweil, Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State, following the launch of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programme there by the Southern Sudan DDR Commission in late July.

To mark the official opening of DDR in Aweil, 10 ex-combatants handed over their weapons, went through the 10-step demobilization process and were awarded a demobilization certificate.

"I congratulate the Commission for doing this successfully and the UN in particular for facilitating as a partner," said Acting State Governor Wany Anyit. "And those who have just received certificates, we as citizens of this nation appreciate your sacrifices and what you have done in 20 plus years to ... let our children go to school again without fear."

Following experience gained from the recently completed demobilization exercise in Rumbek, Lakes State, UNMIS DDR Southern Sudan Chief Mustapha Tejan-Kella said the target in Aweil was to demobilize 2,600 ex-combatants in the next two and a half months.

"We are going to start with 50 ex-combatants and scale it up to 100 per day. Roughly we are looking at two to three months to finish the caseload here," he said.

The International Organization for Migration will be the reintegration partner in Aweil.

During the inaugural ceremony, UNMIS also handed over nine office rooms built on land donated by the state government.

"We have provided furniture and computers among other equipment in collaboration with the UN Development Programme," said Mr. Tejan Kella.

To date, an estimated 5,800 ex-combatants have been demobilized in Southern Sudan and another 9,000 in the Three Areas of Blue Nile and South Kordofan states as well as Abyei.