07 June 2011 - Today marked the completion of a disarmament campaign in Nyala, South Darfur, where more than 1,100 ex-fighters laid down arms and began the process of return to civilian life.

The former combatants were members of both Sudanese Armed Forces and those rebel groups who had signed previous peace accords with the Government. During the two-week process, participants underwent a medical examination and a psychological assessment. UNAMID provided HIV/AIDs testing and counseling to the ex-combatants, who also took part in seminars on reintegration into civil society and occupational training and received a reinsertion allowance to help rebuild their livelihoods.

A participant receives financial assistance from the program. Photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran

The event, which began on 22 May, was organized by the North Sudan Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee with logistical and technical support from UNICEF, UNDP and UNAMID.