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BURUNDI: CLOSE TO 20,000 EX-FIGHTERS DEMOBILIZED PER YEAR January 16, 2006

(SomaliNet) Burundian former rebel combatants and government troops who fought in the country’s 12-year long civil war have returned to civilian life since the launch of the national disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) Programme at the end of November 2004, official sources said in Bujumbura. A total of 19,739 rebel combatants and government troops have so far returned.

DDR has reported that the results of the first year surpassed the initial projection set at an average of 14,000 fighters per year during a four-year period. The DDR secretariat revealed that the DDR Programme will take care of 50,000 former combatants during the coming four years.

A total of 30,000 troops who are part of the new National Defence Force (FDN) will survive the DDR Programme meanwhile Burundi authorities have requested different donors to foot the bill of US$81 million to finance the reintegration of former rebel fighters and discharged government soldiers into other social-professional sectors. However other donors like the World Bank, which has contributed $33million to the DDR Programme have expressed disquiet at the way Burundi’s DDR Programme is being conducted.

The former fighters have frequently staged protest demonstrations against what they perceive as unnecessary delays in the settlement of their demobilization allowances.

Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza`s new government has attempted to clarify the situation by appointing a new team to handle the sensitive demobilization exercise. Each discharged former fighter receives the equivalent of nine months of salaries to begin a new civilian life.

A private soldier receives about 283,014 Burundi francs (nearly $283); NCOs get 537,408 Burundi francs (about $537), a junior officer 562,743 Burundi francs ($562). A senior officer is paid 911,268 Burundi francs (nearly $911) while a general gets 1,666,786 Burundi francs (about $1,666).