Foreign experts explain DDR and its relevance to the peace process
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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 12 (PNA) – Three visiting foreign experts cited the importance of disarmament,
demobilization and reintegration (DDR) in the peace process but that it must be tackled with ample patience
and communicated properly to all concerned that it has nothing to do with surrendering as misinterpreted by
many.
The government has adapted DDR as its new paradigm shift in negotiating with rebel groups, such as the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the New People`s Army (NPA).
In a lecture forum at the Mallberry Suites here last Tuesday, Ahmed Ali Sabiel Barima, Nyasha Donald
Masiwa and Kelvin Ong said there is a need to conduct a massive information campaign on the DDR
principles and framework for rebel groups to respond positively.
The three experts were invited by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue and the Office of the Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) headed by Secretary Avelino I. Razon Jr. to share their experiences on
DDR and how it helped forge a peace agreement between the Sudanese government and
Sudan People`s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
``The initial reaction of any rebel group to DDR is no because they think that it is tantamount to surrendering.
But with perseverance and a lot of explanation, they would understand that it is about enhancing security,``
said Masiwa, a specialist in DDR and post-conflict reconstruction in Africa, particularly Zimbabwe , Somalia
and Sudan .
A journalist and an experienced advisor on ceasefire and security arrangements, Masiwa was formerly a
liberation fighter for the independence of Rhodesia now Zimbabwe .
``You have to bring the concept to the relevant people,`` he told the forum participants composed of civil
society groups, local government units, police, military and Indigenous Peoples sector.
``You have to talk to everyone of them from the highest official down to the rank and file member. You need to
allay their fears. They want guarantees that they are going to be taken care of. You need a lot of patience and
a lot of assistance,` ` Masiwa added.
Relating his experience in the peace process with the SPLM, he said he met with the leader of the rebel
movement countless times before finally getting his acceptance.
``There is a need to invest a lot of time and resources during the negotiation process. Stress that DDR has
nothing to do with surrendering. It is reinforcing the peace agreement,`` he stated.
On the other hand, Ong, who currently heads the Mediation Support Unit in the Department of Political Affairs
of the United Nations (UN) Department of Peacekeeping Operations, said that there are different strategies
that should be used for different actors.
``Appeal to the rank and file, appeal to the officials,`` he said.
Ong, who worked with the Singapore Armed Forces for 11 years, added that discussing DDR can be very
sensitive and possibly exacerbate conflict if not communicated properly, stressing that there is no fixed
template on how it should be approached.
``The language and terminology is very tricky. Your objectives must be clear,`` he added.
Essentially, DDR provides political space and prevent relapse to war and promotes peace-building, Ong
earlier told another forum in Manila .
He said implementing DDR needs a lot of planning and sequencing.
On the other hand, underlining DDR`s inclusiveness in the process, Barima said that collaboration from all
groups is an integral component.
The DDR adviser to the Sudan Government Center on Humanitarian Dialogue, Barima has had more than 20
years of diverse experience in the fields of human/community security interventions, population mobility, urban
poverty, and social development issues related to Islamic minorities in more than 15 African countries.
Apart from the conduct of authentic dialogues with communities, the Philippine government has been ardent
in pushing for the DDR framework amid fears aired by rebel groups that this is synonymous to surrendering
which is not.
The government, particularly OPAPP has been inviting peace process experts from all over the world to share
their knowledge on the DDR.
OPAPP Undersecretary Pedro Cesar Ramboanga Jr. said that the DDR is not a settlement being imposed by
the government.
Ramboanga said it is about time to frontload DDR, adding ``we should have an end state already. We should
have in mind ultimate peace in our land.``
``We don`t think that we`re all experts on DDR. That`s why the DDR Center has been put up because we want
to learn about this framework. This dialogue is for both the government and non-government groups,`` he
said.
Meanwhile, Misamis Oriental Vice-Governor Norris C. Babiera said that the government, through the OPAPP,
must double its efforts for a massive information dissemination on DDR which is accepted worldwide.
Babiera said that the mainstream public has been confused if focusing on community dialogues means that
the government is avoiding peace talks with the armed groups.
On this, Ramboanga said: ``Look at the peace process as a whole settlement. Why talk to the communities?
That`s because they are the stakeholders. They are the ones hurt in the conflict. Give a chance to the
communities because they are the ones destroyed. They should have a voice in the peace process.``
David Gorman, mediation adviser from the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue also attended the discussion.
A similar lecture forum was in Metro Manila. (PNA)
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