Nairobi, 9 December 2022 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and Clingendael Academy, held a three-day training on Insider Mediation for Disarmament, Demobilization, Repatriation, Resettlement and Reintegration (DDR/RR).

Participating in the event were 18 members from the ICGLR Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM), ICGLR Regional Pool of Mediators, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Operational Cell Expert Members of the Contact and Coordination Group (CCG) across the region.

Commenting on the collaboration between the two organizations, Mr. Jean-Eudes Bisonga, ICGLR Director for Peace and Security noted: “This training resulted from the concerted collaboration by UNDP and ICGLR to facilitate exchanges among participants through an in-person training. ICGLR is well placed as an institution to support the process of Insider Mediation for DDR/RR and contribute to peacebuilding efforts in the Great Lakes region.” 

During the intensive training sessions, participants engaged in interactive lectures, group assignments, self-assessments, bilateral negotiations, and mediation simulations to deepen their knowledge of insider mediation for DDR/RR through in-person exchanges and cross-learning. For instance, during the ‘Big Canvas’ session, participants took part in a consensus-building, role-play exercise that discussed the seven phases of a negotiation process. The session enabled them to gain a deeper understanding of dealing with sensitivities during negotiation and understanding mandates, rules, procedures, behavioural aspects and group dynamics. 

“The training has enabled us to understand Insider Mediation within the domain of DDR and the linkages that exist through concrete examples from South Sudan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda,” said Rickie-Nelly Ndagano, Practitioner and Researcher. 

The training sessions also benefitted from a partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). These collaborations provided interventions on the linkages of insider mediation, and DDR/RR approaches to broader peacebuilding efforts in the region.

“The training has been beneficial for members of the Operational Cell of the Contact and Coordination Group, given that we soon will be commencing our assignment in Goma. The knowledge gained through this training will better equip us for the work on the ground,” said Major Abert Nomwesigwa, Operational Cell Expert Member from the Contact and Coordination Group.

The training was funded by the European Union (EU) and organized under the framework of the United Nations in Support of Peace and Security in the Great Lakes region project. The project promotes ongoing peacebuilding and consolidation efforts in the African Great Lakes region in support of the ICGLR in various areas, including DDR/RR, women, youth, civil society and private sector fora, and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). 

Through this project, UNDP supports ICGLR’s efforts to strengthen the capacities of regional insider mediators to enhance and contribute to DDR/RR processes in the region. Against this backdrop, the project builds on existing EU and UNDP guidance on Insider Mediation and the United Nations Integrated DDR Standards (IDDRS).  

“Coming from a remote conflict-affected area, we often have limited access to various opportunities. We are grateful to UNDP and partners for bringing us together and continuously following up to ensure that we are part of this training to be better equipped to continue serving our communities,” said Evariste Mfaume, Founder of Solidarity of Volunteers for Humanity.

This training session is the second such activity, with the first occurring virtually in 2021. Since then, the participants have been engaged to continue the exchanges through a community of practice. 

Media contact:

Gopi Kharel, Digital Communications Officer, UNDP Regional Programme for Africa

gopi.kharel@undp.org

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