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Demobilisation begins

    NAIROBI

    The Eritrean government last week began the first phase of its military demobilisation and reintegration process, the official Shaebia website reported.

    It quoted Dr Tekeste Fekadu, the commissioner for demobilisation, as saying 5,000 soldiers would be demobilised in a pilot project, ahead of the full demobilisation of some 200,000 male and female fighters. The pilot was originally due to begin last month, but officials said it was postponed for "technical reasons".

    Tekeste said the process would proceed in stages. He added that his commission was cooperating with government agencies and private institutions to help demobilised soldiers obtain professional training. The process, known as Warsay-Yekeallo (meaning current and veteran fighters), involves members of the regular army, ex-fighters who were mobilised during the latest war with Ethiopia, and members of the national services and reserve army.

    "The commission has started to implement the first phase of the demobilisation programme after it organised its personnel and material to execute the process," Shaebia said.

    The World Bank meanwhile has approved a US $60 million loan to help with the demobilisation of 60,000 soldiers.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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