Last phase in demobilisation programme

Burundi's demobilisation programme has entered its final stage, with 5,000 former members of the armed forces due to be demobilised this year, the head of the programme, Silas Ntigurirwa, said on Friday at a news conference in the capital, Bujumbura. He said the country's new National Defence Forces has been reduced to 25,000, in compliance with a government requirement. He added that at least 20,000 ex-combatants, including child soldiers, had returned to their families, following demobilisation. Some 11,000 former militiamen, including 7,000 "Guardiens de la paix" (Guardians of Peace), have received their demobilisation pay. However, Ntigurirwa said the reintegration of the demobilised into civilian society was behind schedule. He said disbursement of World Bank money as well as delays due to banking operations had caused the setback. He said the government was launching a special programme for the disabled among the demobilised. "A partnership convention has just been signed with two local hospitals, which will treat the disabled," he added. He said at least 4,000 disabled demobilised persons were expected to take advantage of the new special programme. "Some 700 disabled persons are currently under treatment, and 300 others have already been treated," he said. He announced that other special programmes for the demobilised had also been established, including income-generating activities, promotion of self-employment and vocational training. Already, he said, some 367 demobilised people were receiving special vocational training.