Draft Culture of Peace Programme in Mozambique 29-32

PROJECT PROFILE 2.0

An important part of the Rome Peace Accords and the following United Nations Operation in Mozambique consisted of the demobilization of the two armies of the civil war. By August 1994, this had been largely accomplished, with 85,000 troops (22,000 RENAMO and 63,000 FRELIMO had been registered, of which 60,000 had come to the assembly areas.

Many demobilized soldiers have organized spontaneously into associations, of which the largest is AMODEG. This organization includes ex-combatants from both sides (RENAMO and FRELIMO) in the civil war, and is committed to supporting the peace process and reintegration of demobilized soldiers. They have requested training and support to be peace promoters in the countryside. Another important organization worthy of support is ADEMIMO which includes soldiers from both sides who are handicapped as a result of war injuries.

The future of the peace process in Mozambique depends to a great extent upon these demobilized soldiers, their full participation in the peace process and their reintegration into the economic and social fabric of society. It is well known that a large portion of the weapons used during the war have not been collected, but are still hidden throughout the country. The demobilized soldiers have a great potential for harm, if they take up these weapons again and use them as bandits, in gangs, or in a renewal of civil war. At the same time they have a great potential for good, as they can provide the labor and skills needed for the rebuilding of the Mozambican economy as an economy of peace.

Demobilized soldiers can be instrumental in the monitoring, collection and destruction of hidden weapons (arms or guns), since they were engaged, while in the army, in determining their placement and use. In this way they can literally take part in the transformation of "swords into ploughshares", which is the name of one programme, sponsored by the Christian Council of Mozambique for the exchange of guns for tools.

This project is based upon and supports the spontaneous organization and will of large numbers of demobilized soldiers to participate in the peace process.

Planning will be assisted by an advisory board consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Culture, AMODEG, and other organizations working with demobilized soldiers.

The first stage will consist of the identification and training of a cadre of trainers, coming from the ranks of demobilized soldiers, who are committed to the peace process, from both armies and from all parts of the country, including knowledge of various local languages in addition to Portuguese. Training will include methods for skills instruction, literacy instruction and seminars in conflict resolution.

The second stage will consist of the instruction by these trainers in workshops with demobilized soldiers in association with centres for the demobilized throughout the country. Instruction will be conducted in national languages spoken in the locality concerned.

Literacy and skills training will be provided and accompanied by appropriate tool kits. A revolving credit fund for small loans at low interest will be available for the start-up of small enterprises based upon the training received.

Support will be given for the monitoring of hidden weapons, and for the exchange and destruction of weapons in exchange for tools, including the "Swords into Ploughshares" project of the Christian Council.

The trainers will meet periodically with trainers from other Programme projects in order to take part with them in a national network of "peace promoters" which provides experiences and suggestions to the entire Programme for new initiatives, training methods, and materials for peace in the mass media. As peace promoters, they will cooperate with other local programmes for peace, including those in community schools, community radio, women's organizations and local development programmes.

International exchanges of views and experiences will take place with organizations of demobilized soldiers in other countries engaged in a peace-building process.

Research teams will be engaged from the Center for African Studies and other social science research organizations to investigate the process of reintegration of the demobilized, to evaluate this project, and to propose future activities and modifications of methodology.

Summary of Activities:

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