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(5).  Disarmament and Demobilization, Small Arms Reduction and Management 

The NPRS makes no specific reference to disarmament, nor small arms reduction and management. 

Demobilization of the armed forces is mentioned two times. In Section 4 of the Executive Summary, under Strengthening Institutions and Improving Governance, Demobilization and Reform of the Armed Forces is listed as one of eight priority areas in the Governance Action Plan (GAP). Of the eight priority areas, demobilization of the armed forces receives only scant reference in comparison to the other seven topics, each of which have at least one section in the NPRS specifically devoted to it. 

Demobilization is then referred to again in Section 4.4. (Strengthening Institutions and Improving Governance) in the main text. The reference here to demobilization is virtually identical to that in the executive summary, as it simply lists again “demobilization and reform of the armed forces” among the eight priority areas of the GAP. Of the eight priority areas, the NPRS observes “most initiatives singled out as early priorities have been completed and medium-terms initiatives are well underway. The plan is being updated to take stock of progress after two years and to set priorities for the next three years. It is also being expanded to focus on social development issues better.” 

Section 6.1. under “Civil Service Reform,” refers to the “reduced size of the armed forces” as a key indicator, though no target is set (it shows a figure of  248,600 for 1998). There does not appear to be any reference in the Annex 3 matrix.

NGO Action:

Demobilization and Disarmament:

• Continue participation in monitoring demobilization procedures and activities with increased access, including monitoring all aspects of the reintegration of former soldiers back into society; 
• Include HIV/AIDS awareness as part of the demobilization process; redouble efforts to advocate for vocational training and non-formal education opportunities for reintegrating soldiers;
• Advocate to limit/reduce any discrimination against demobilized soldiers;
• Advocate for follow-up support and services for disabled soldiers who are demobilized.
• Continue making the case linking demobilization and disarmament to poverty reduction by raising such issues in the context of the APRI process. One way be to link it to the GAP relationship with the NPRS (e.g., reduced government expenditures in the context of military reform may release more funds for social spending).

Small Arms Reduction:

Continue making the linkages between small arms reduction and poverty reduction by raising such issues in the context of the APRI process. One way may be to link small arms and domestic violence against women. Another way may be to link peace and security to social and economic development by analyzing production and investment  (e.g., FDI) in the context of a “Culture of Violence.”

• It may also be useful to link distrust of the armed forces (underlying causes of insecurity) to the development of social capital (see NPRS Section Lack of Social Capital under 3.1.5. (Vulnerability);
• Continue working with and monitoring the development of the National Commission for Weapons Reform and Management, and promote a role for the NCWRM in the NPRS process.

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