UNOAU attends meetings to discuss AU DDR Capacity Project

From 15 to 17 March, UNOAU attended various meetings with the AU, the World Bank (WB) and a visiting Delegation from UNHQ to discuss the AU Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration Capacity Project (AUDDRCP). The project, initiated in 2013, aims at creating sustainable DDR capacities within the AU, RECs/RMs and AU Member States, to support national and regional DDR initiatives. The meeting discussed the ongoing efforts to commence the 4th phase of the project that leverages the results and partnerships established over the last decade and emphasizes in particular the need to strengthening the operational DDR support of the AU, via the RECs/RMs, to respond to AU Member States’ requests for support. It was observed that given the current AU priorities on post-conflict DDR, DDR in Peace Support Operations, unconstitutional changes of government, terrorism and ongoing AU reforms, it is a timely moment to launch the 4th phase of the project. Participants noted that the launch and implementation of the 4th phase of the project could be linked to the ongoing AU initiatives on silencing the guns by 2030, under the leadership of the newly appointed AU High-Representative, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas. The partners agreed that the technical team of the AU-UN-WB will continue to work on finalizing the Partnership Framework between the AU Commission, UN, and WB on the Implementation of Joint DDR Activities in Africa for 2023-2025. This framework describes the scope and objectives for this 4^th phase. It was noted that in the coming weeks, the implementation matrix defining the result areas and activities as well as a concept note for an official launch event to create an enhanced visibility and awareness will be finalized.