Introduction

The African Union Commission, in collaboration with the World Bank and the United Nations, is planning to hold a DDR Donors’ Conference in Addis Ababa on 18 February 2013. The purpose of the conference is to inform partners on the AU DDR Capacity Program, and to raise funds for AU DDR activities for 2013 – 2015 under the program. 

Background

The Peace and Security Department (PSD) of the African Union Commission, in collaboration with United Nations Office at the African Union (UNOAU), the United Nations Department of Peace-keeping Operations (DPKO), and the Transitional Demobilization and Reintegration Program (TDRP) of the World Bank, has initiated a Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Capacity Program (DDRCP). The purpose of the DDRCP is to strengthen capacities within the AU, the Regional Economic Communities (REC’s) and Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (RM’s), to support national and regional DDR initiatives. Establishing capacity to provide effective support to DDR initiatives by Member States and regional partners is viewed by the AU as integral to the objective of promoting peace, security and stability in Africa.

 

The DDRCP project document was prepared by the AU Peace and Security Department with support from the United Nations and the World Bank. The document was presented to the RECs and RMs for validation at a meeting held in Addis Ababa on 28 – 29 September 2012. The document sets out a three-year programme, to be implemented between 2013 and 2015, which will achieve the following objectives:

1. 1. Institutionalize DDR capacities within the African Union,
2. 2. Establish an AU DDR Resource and Research Centre, and
3. 3. Facilitate AU engagement and assistance to DDR activities of Member States.

Under the DDR Capacity Program, the AU has already begun several DDR assistance initiatives including to the Central African Republic, where the AU is providing two consultants and assisting the government to establish a rehabilitation centre for LRA returnees, as well as in South Sudan where the AU is assisting the South Sudan DDR Commission with capacity building, through provision of consultants and including with the establishment of a funding modality to manage the upcoming DDR program targeting 150,000 South Sudanese ex-combatants.

 

Rationale and Objectives for the Conference

There are two reasons for holding this donor’s conference. Firstly, the AU would like to officially present the DDRCP to the international community and explain how it is currently engaging DDR initiatives on the continent. The second reason is to solicit financial support for both the DDRCP architecture and operational costs as well as to explain how the AU will be soliciting funds to support national and regional DDR initiatives on the continent. This funding is necessary because, although the AU will progressively integrate the DDRCP programmatic budgetary requirements into the AU regular budget and the various pool funds, there are several initial budgetary lines that require support.

 

So far, the AU DDR Capacity Program has received funding from the World Bank (TDRP) for a number of activities during the inception phase from October 2011 up to and including for this donor’s conference. The African Union is grateful to the World Bank for such support. However, the World Bank (TDRP) financial support will end on 30 June 2013 and there is therefore a need to raise more funding for the continuation of the program.  

 

The objectives of the conference are therefore:

a)      To introduce the AU DDR Capacity Program to partners;

b)      To present the AU DDR Capacity Program Project Document to partners; and

c)      To fundraise for the AU DDR activities described in the Project Document.

 

 Venue and Date

It is proposed that this one day donors’ conference be held on 18 February 2013 in Addis Ababa. It is envisaged that this will be for fifty (50) participants. The Commission will provide a venue for this meeting.

Expected deliverables/ Outcomes

The conference will be a one day event for the Peace and Security Department to present the AU DDR Capacity Program Project Document to donors and to solicit for funding for the 3-year project. The harnessing of funds to bridge the funding gap and support DDR related activities undertaken by the Commission, will empower the Commission to assess DDR activities on the continent and effectively assist to address gap areas as well as generate DDR documents that will guide DDR practice on the continent.

Proposed Category of Participants

The proposed list of participants will aim to include the following categories of participants:

a)      African Union representatives;

b)      United Nations representatives;

c)      World Bank representatives;

d)      African development institutions, international finance institutions, and multi-lateral organizations;

e)      The European Union and bilateral donors in the AU Partner Group

f)       New partners and emerging donors such as those from Asia, Latin America and the Arab world;

Roles and responsibilities

In fulfilling the above roles and responsibilities, the AU Commission, the United Nations and the World Bank will share responsibilities as follows:

a)      Invitations to partners will be sent out jointly by the AU and the World Bank, while invitations to Member States will be sent out by the AU Commission.

b)      The AU will be responsible for logistics in Addis Ababa, including securing of the venue.

c)      DPKO/UNOAU will be responsible for the coordination of the agenda, and drafting of the report on the conference.

d)      The World Bank (TDRP) will be responsible for all financial arrangements for the conference, including travel arrangements, accommodation, DSA, conference facilities, interpretation and translation, meals and the costs of any administrative services etc.

Elements of the budget

a)      Cost of the venue. This will include services such as printers, internet connection, coffee/lunch, snacks etc.

b)      Travel and DSA for participants based outside Addis Ababa.

c)      Travel and DSA for TDRP/UN staff members based outside Addis Ababa.

d)      Interpretation at the venue: Arabic, English, French and Portuguese.

e)      Translation of documents.

Documentation

The following documents will be made available to participants:

a)      Agenda,

b)      Concept Note,

c)      AU DDR Capacity Program Project Document in English and French,

d)      List of Participants.

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