SAACID is happy for all or part of this document file (photos and text) to be copied, published or cited elsewhere; as long as the source of the material is appropriately cited. 

Photo Albums

2003-4

Final Report DDR Mogadishu 2003-4 

exit survey - participants 2003-4               (PDF) 

exit survey - host trainers 2003-4              (PDF) 

survey of militamen completed in 2001     (PDF)    

2005 civil society mobilisation workshop series on DDR

2005 workshop series                                (PDF)        

2005-6

armoury     community workshops     participant sample      weapon sample

testing weapons   registration of militia   monitoring

opening ceremony      numeracy and literacy training      payments   

Opening ceremony report          accidents and incidents report    PDF (January 2007)

IAS trauma counseling report        (PDF)     

Survey of business development participants after 2 months of trade     (PDF)    

Survey of business development participants after 4 months of trade     (PDF)

Survey of business development participants after 6-months of trade    (PDF)                          

vocational trainees - June 2006        BPP trainees - June 2006        

vocational trainees - July 2006        BPP trainees - July 2006               
                         
vocational trainees - August 2006    BPP trainees - August 2006     

vocational trainees - September 2006                                       

vocational trainees - October 2006   BPP trainees - October 2006                 

vocational trainees - November                  

December 2006 activities                

January 2007 activities                    

weapon destruction                                   

host trainer exit survey                 (PDF)      

participant exit survey                  (PDF)       

final report                                  (PDF)       1.01 mb

final statement concluding the DDR programme                   (PDF)             



                   

Programme Summary
 

Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) Programme  

UNDP - SAACID-Australia - SAACID-Somalia

Mogadishu, Somalia 

1 December 2005 - 31 January 2007

Summary

On 17 November 2005, SAACID signed a Programme Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with UNDP to implement a Phase II Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration Programme (DDRP) in Mogadishu, Somalia. This programme is a scaled-up programme that logically builds upon the programme that SAACID implemented in partnership with UNDP in 2003-4. It is the largest voluntary weapon’s destruction programme ever initiated in Somalia’s history; and hopefully, it will be a further step in the demilitarisation of Somali society.

 The programme targets 512 hardcore freelance militia in the city. For the first time ever, all 16 districts in Mogadishu are participating in the programme; with each district selecting 32 freelance militia for the programme.

 SAACID believes that the participation of all districts as genuine stakeholders in the programme is essential for the grassroots development of sustainable security in the city. Without the participation and support of district-level leadership and communities, no real reconciliation and security can ever be developed.

 The first month of the programme includes mobilisation workshops; selection of militia; registration of militia; testing of weapons for functionality; decommissioning of weapons; and the signing of contracts with militia and community leader guarantors (see photos above).

 Each month we will post a report detailing the activities that were completed - along with photo albums to highlight the progress of the programme.

 December

The Phase II UNDP DDR programme for Mogadishu, Somalia, is designed to disarm and provide training and/or micro business grants for 512 freelance militia.

The programme will run from 1 December 2005 to 28 February 2007.

It is the first occasion in which all 16 districts of Mogadishu will be engaged in a common programme; and is extremely important for this fact alone.

The programme training outline for the 512 militia is as follows:

·        Mobilisation of community leaders – community leaders will each select 32 freelance militiamen from their district (32 per district)

·        Each militiaman must bring a functional machinegun in exchange for training and/or micro-grant business development

·       3 months of numeracy and literacy training for all 512 militiamen (a structured formal education setting provides a format for instilling discipline and breaking the khaat habit, which a major of militia are addicted to).

·        For 312 militiamen, 2-months of intensive training in business principles and practices

·        For 190 militiamen, 11-months training of their choice in a local business

·        For 312 militiamen, a micro-grant scheme that will provide money for each militiaman for business development

·        A closing ceremony in which all 512 machineguns will be destroyed

·      The programme began on 30 November, with a preliminary mobilisation workshop for all 16 District Commissioners (DC’s) of the city.

 Two formal workshops were conducted (8 districts per workshop) on 3-6 December for 120 community leaders to outline the programme, criteria and mobilise 32 militiamen from each district of the city.

Registration and weapon’s collection, decommissioning and cantonment began from 7 December. All 512 machineguns have now been collected. It was agreed to target only light, medium and heavy machineguns. This put an extra burden on all stakeholders, as these weapons were harder to acquire; but it was agreed to target this category of weapons because a Phase I DDR programme in the city in 2003 targeted 300 militiamen and automatic rifles. It was agreed that the quantitative numbers involved were too close to the first programme; so to add meaning and value to Phase II DDR in the city, it was determined that only machineguns be accepted.

An interesting phenomenon arising from the insistence that only militiaman bearing a functional machinegun was that there were reports that machineguns from as far a Baioda and Kismayu were being collected and transported to Mogadishu for the programme. Prices for these weapons in Mogadishu markets at the beginning of December were as low as US $30. By the end of December, average prices for the targeted weapon categories were US $150-160.

All 512 militia positions have now been filled; and 512 light medium and heavy machineguns have been collected, tested and decommissioned. This was a fantastic effort by all 16 districts of the city to mobilise militia interested in demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration in a matter of a month from a standing start. It highlights the latent capacity that grassroots communities possess, if properly engaged as genuine partners in a process. It also highlights the genuine and ongoing commitment that all communities have toward demobilisation, disarmament, reconciliation and peace-building in the city at a non-political level.

 The machineguns are currently being held in an armoury by SAACID. The immediate destruction of the weapons cannot be entertained because of general distrust by militiamen – they want to make sure they receive their training before the weapons are destroyed. Thus, as a confidence-building measure, the weapons are stored by SAACID for the duration of the programme. At the end of the programme, all the weapons will be publicly destroyed; as they were in the Phase I DDR programme in 2003-4 (see photos and report above).

January

The next phase of the programme was to register all 512 militia for 3 months of numeracy and literacy training (LNT) at one of SAACID’s schools in the district of Shibis, Mogadishu. This was done on 1 January, with 481 militia (94%) coming to the opening day of registration. This strong representation was due to a lot of time spent by SAACID and the District Commissioners (DC’s) transferring information on the programme to the militiamen. Amongst the incentives to attend the programme from the beginning was the knowledge that their incentive payments would be calculated daily, and if they did not attend, they would not be paid for the days missed. One of the reasons for attendance not being higher was still some confusion (SAACID had provided a lot of information to public transporters about the programme and the place and timings) by public transport about the location and numbers of people that would be travelling to the school on a daily basis. SAACID still believes that 94% for the first day of LNT is an excellent result. All militiamen registered in subsequent days.

On 2 January an entrance exam was held (96.4% attendance) to establish the academic level of all militiamen, so that they could subsequently be placed in classes that reflected their ability. Results of this exam are also forwarded to UNDP. The results mixed all the different districts together – thus mixing former enemies in the same classroom. SAACID has previously had positive results by doing this. No incidents for the month were reported due to this action.

The UNDP (Ex-) Combatant Military and Socio-Economic Data survey of all 512 militiamen was begun on 14 January. This data will become part of UNDP’s national database on ex-combatants. As of 31 January, 225 militiamen have been interviewed for the survey.

 Overall monthly attendance was excellent, with absenteeism being very low.

 The first payment to militiamen took place on 31 January. The whole process was implemented at SAACID’s administrative compound. The process was extremely smooth, with no incidents or complaints being reported.

 A number of accidents and incidents were reported during the month. Please refer to the Accidents and Incidents Chart for more information. Five militiamen received short-term suspension; 1 militiaman has been given a final warning for poor behaviour.

 A number of militiamen have dropped out of the programme for a variety of reasons. All have been replaced with full coordination of the districts responsible for the dropouts. From past experience, this is normal, as militiamen realise the reality of what they have signed up for.

 Apart from the noted incidents and dropouts, the LNT training for the month of January has progressed very well; and virtually all militiamen are making the transition to structured classes extremely well.

 February

 February was the third month of the programme, and the second of 3 months of formal numeracy and literacy classes (LNT).

 All LNT activities went very smoothly, with only relatively minor incidents being recorded.

 Nine participants were involved in the attempted theft of library books from the SAACID school that they were attending. The relevant local district leadership and guardians were called in and the issue discussed. It was agreed that the 4 ringleaders would have their entire incentive payment deducted – while they continued to attend classes. Five other participants were suspended for 10 days without incentive.

 SAACID continued to interview militiamen for the UNDP (Ex) Combatant Military and Socio-Economic Data Survey. As at 28 February, 470 interviews with the 512 militiamen had been completed. This survey should be completed by mid-March.

One participant was killed in an unrelated shooting incident in his local district. He has been replaced by the relevant district.

Five other participants requested replacement for a variety of reasons. This was successfully done in conjunction with the local district leadership and the relevant guardians.

There were widespread complaints that the travel incentive was insufficient to cover the costs of travel for the participants – especially from distant districts.

Two separate DDR articles have been published in 4 local newspapers.

One radio talkback debate on DDR issues was conducted.

One web news company visited the DDR programme and published an article on the programme on their web site.

Widespread fighting in the south of Mogadishu lead to the suspension of the programme for 5 days, so as to minimise the risk to participants while attempting to travel to and from the education facility.

Monthly exams for all subjects were conducted.

The monthly incentive payments were provided without incident.

 March

March was the third and final month of numeracy and literacy classes.

All through March, increasing tension and anxiety over an ‘anti-terror’ alliance gripped the city. Beginning 22 March, fighting erupted between Islamists and the ‘anti-terror’ coalition, and the programme was suspended for 4 days. SAACID had to move its operations to its backup compound in the south of the city.

Programme preparations for the next phase of training (vocational and business training) were set back about 10 days, due to the tension and fighting.

 In spite of the tension and fighting, classes continued as closely as possible to the workplan.

Two SAACID staff travelled to Somaliland for 7 days of specialised DDMS training. This training was completed successfully. The survey has 22 remaining militiamen to be interviewed. The delay came from the training and fighting. The survey will be completed by the end of April.

International Aid Services provided SAACID with 3 specialist trauma counselling consultants. These consultants were tasked with providing counselling sessions to the 512 militiamen and key SAACID staff. These consultants conducted sessions for SAACID staff and classes A-F. Classes G-I received 1 day of counselling, before the sessions were abandoned due to fighting. The counselling specialists were withdrawn to Nairobi by IAS. IAS has agreed to train 4 SAACID staff in trauma counselling in Hargeisa in April. This will provide SAACID with a capacity to professionally conduct trauma counselling themselves.

Nine of the 16 DCs and 2 radio stations visited classes. The DCs were talked through the training process thus far. They were provided with information on all the problems the militia produce; and with the strengths of this training element. The 2 radio stations provided all-day coverage of the programme and related DDR issues. The other 7 DCs were also supposed to visit the school in March. Due to tension and fighting, this has been delayed.

The militiamen made a choice between the vocational training and business training streams. Those choosing vocational training made a further choice of what sort of skill they would like to acquire. SAACID was very surprised to find that about 85% choose vocational training. UNDP and SAACID had guesstimated that about 2/3’s of the participating militia would choose the business training option, as the idea of a lump sum payment would be appealing. Reasons for militia reticence to choose the business training stream option included:

• Insecurity in Mogadishu makes business too risky;
• $200 was not enough to start-up a business;
• Fear they may not succeed - and be denied the later instalments;
• Fear that poor attendance at their business would mean that SAACID would deny further payments;
• A business can be lost, but skills training will remain inside them;
• Relatives will come and insist on loans from the $200, and there will not be enough money remaining to begin a business; and,
• The monthly incentive for vocational training was a more reliable source of income.

This caused a significant problem for the continuation of the programme, as vocational training is more expensive than business training. For vocational training, militiamen are placed in local businesses for training by that business. That local ‘host trainer’ is paid a monthly amount for each militiaman he trains. This expense is not incurred in the business training stream, for as soon as the militiaman has completed 2-months of specialised business training in the classroom, he is given his first tranche of money to begin his business. From then, his only support is business training officers that help problem-solve and monitor all those in business.

 SAACID eventually requested a supplementary budget from UNDP to cover the shortfall in the programme. UNDP was able to support SAACID in this regard and has agreed to support the supplementary budgetary request.

 Final LNT exams will be completed in the first week of April, due to a delay caused by fighting.

 A survey of potential host vocational trainers was completed in March.

 Two militiamen dropped out of the programme. They were not replaced, and the weapons were forfeited.

April

April was the first month of specialised business training classes and vocational training in host training sites.

Already, all militiamen had made their choice between business development training and vocational skills training; and within the vocational skills element, they had made a first and second choice as to what they would like to do. As stated in last month’s report, SAACID was very surprised to find that about 82% choose vocational training. UNDP and SAACID had guesstimated that about 2/3’s of the participating militia would choose the business training option, as the idea of a lump sum payment would be appealing.

This caused a significant problem for the continuation of the programme, as vocational training is more expensive than business training. For vocational training, militiamen are placed in local businesses for training by that business. That local ‘host trainer’ is paid $25 per person per month for 10 months. This expense is not incurred in the business training stream, for as soon as the militiaman has completed 2-months of specialised business training in the classroom, he is given his first tranche of $200 to begin his business. From then, his only support is business-training officers that help problem-solve and monitor all those in business.

SAACID had formally written to UNDP requesting a supplementary budget to cover the shortfall; but UNDP could not guarantee a positive outcome. With a potential significant shortfall in funding, SAACID began to place great pressure on the participants to reconsider their choice between vocational and business training. This pressure was largely ineffective; and had a negative impact, as militiamen began to lose trust with SAACID and the programme (trust being the heart of the programme’s success). In the middle of SAACID’s campaign to coerce militiamen into training streams that they weren’t inclined to take, UNDP rang SAACID’s Mogadishu office and indicated that they would cover the shortfall. This came as a great relief to SAACID, as options for a suitable solution were quickly being exhausted; and the success of the programme was becoming problematic.

From this point, everything for the month of April ran smoothly.

The final numeracy and literacy exams (LNT) were scheduled and completed successfully.

Potential host trainers were invited to a workshop to explain this element of the programme; the criteria for selection; rights and responsibilities; and, question and answer time. The final list of host trainers was finalised at the end of the workshop and contract with all host trainers were signed.

All those militiamen who chose business development training began their new intensive 2-month course at the same SAACID school that had hosted them for LNT. Classes were formed and were conducted without incident.

All those who chose vocational training options were matched with relevant host trainers in an area as close to their residence as possible (12 April). The delay in this process was a culmination of fighting and insecurity in the city and the problem of not having a guaranteed budget for the extra numbers that chose vocational training. This distribution process went smoothly; and now all militiamen are engaged in vocational or business training.

A regular schedule has been developed to visit all host-training sites, so as to ensure that discipline and attendance are good and the militiamen are happy with the quality of the training.

On 17 April, 7 District Commissioners (DCs) and radio stations visited the business development training classes to monitor the activities and further encourage the militiamen to make the most of the opportunity. These regular visits by community leaders are designed to ensure that the community remains close to the process; and genuinely feel that they are part of the process.

Five intellectuals, including university teachers, ex-military officers and civil society participated in a radio debate on Bandir Radio, which SAACID had organized. The topic was: “viable vocational training for the rehabilitation of armed youth”. All agreed that the event was very successful.

Five intellectuals, including university teachers, ex-military officers and civil society participated in a radio debate on Bandir Radio, which SAACID had organized. The topic was “expected collaboration from civil society for the enhancement of the current DDR programme”. All agreed that the event was very successful.

Four different Mogadishu newspapers published one article, which SAACID staff had prepared (in Qaran press, Ayaamaha, Xoriyadda and Muqdisho Times). The title of article was “The Youth Entering the Cities Endangers Security”.

Payments to host trainers and trainees went without incident.

Payments to business development trainees were lively, as quite a few students were upset with reduced payments for absenteeism. There was a lot of yelling and accusations, but nothing more serious.

A third militiaman dropped out of the programme.

May

May was the second and last month of specialised business training classes. Vocational trainees were in their second month of vocational training at locally designated host training sites.

Heavy fighting in the city between warlords and Islamic Sharia court militias disrupted some training activities. Business training students had their training suspended for 6 days. Some vocational training sites also closed for between 3 and 6 days.

The heavy fighting in the city led to the death of 2 of trainees, who were killed by stray bullets; while 2 more trainees were lightly wounded by stray bullets.

A larger number of accidents and incidents were reported than normal – primarily linked to the increased tension, fighting and uncertainty in the city.

Otherwise, training proceeded smoothly for the vocational training participants. One host trainer had his contract terminated for not complying with his training agreement. The trainees agreed to be transferred to a nearby host trainer, who was teaching the same subject.

The specialised business training continued for business students, but was interrupted by the fighting in the city. This has delayed the transfer of individual business plans to UNDP. Copies of these business plans will now be provided to UNDP along with the monthly financial and narrative reports.

Final Business Principles and Practices (BPP) exams were held at the end of the month.

BPP trainers also travelled throughout the city to identify and agree to the proposed business sites for each business participant. At the end of the month, 5 participants still had not presented a business site that was agreeable to SAACID. First trance micro-grant payments will be withheld until such time that these participants provide proof that they have seriously developed a business site for the money that they will receive.

Two different newspaper articles on DDR related subjects were placed in 4 Mogadishu newspapers in the month of May.

One radio debate was held on the subject of whether communities in Mogadishu really wanted peace; and what role DDR had in a peace and reconciliation process. The radio debate was a talkback format, and it generated a lively discussion from many residents in the city.

Payments to host trainers and trainees went without incident.

* “Other” includes markets or areas with 3 or less entries – they are listed below

·    Karaan Market                                                             3

·   Warberi Market                                                            3

·   Near or in home                                                            3

·      SOS market                                                                2

·      Taleh area                                                                  2

·      Shibis area                                                                  2

·      Hawl-wadag area                                                        2

·      Shingani area                                                               2

·      Suuq Bacaad Market                                                    2

·      Bilajo Market                                                               1

·      Hamar-jijab area                                                          1

·      Baar Ubah area                                                           1

·      Blacksea area                                                              1

·      KPP Market                                                                1

·      Hamar-weyne area                                                      1

·      Madina area                                                                1

·      Ali Kamin area                                                            1

·      CC area                                                                      1

·      Eltuboweyne area                                                        1

·      Fagah area                                                                  1

·      Jamhuria Market                                                          1

·      Lafweyn area                                                              1

·      Miranayo small market                                                 1

·      Fagax area                                                                  1

* “Other” includes businesses with 1 entry – they are listed below

·      Goat Market                                                               1

·      Spare parts                                                                 1

·      Bookshop                                                                   1

·      Restaurant                                                                  1

·      Stereo equipment                                                        1

·      Bananas                                                                     1

·      Shoes                                                                         1

·      Butcher                                                                      1

·      Internet café                                                               1

·      Food and charcoal                                                       1

·      Wooden beds                                                              1

·      Salt                                                                             1

June

 Heavy fighting in the city between warlords and Islamic Sharia court militias subsided as US-backed warlords capitulated and left the city to Sharia court factions. The city was still very tense, but much calmer than in the previous month.

June was the first month for the business trainees to begin their own businesses, after 2-months of specialised business development training. Vocational trainees were in their third month of vocational training at locally designated host training sites.

Training proceeded smoothly for the vocational and business training participants. One host trainer was given an official warning for not complying with his training agreement.

Payments to host trainers and trainees – as well as the first micro-grant payment of US $200 - were delayed because of a delay in the funds transfer from UNDP. UNDP funds were received by SAACID on 27 June.

There were a number of accidents and incidents, but all were incidental to the programme.

July

July marked the end of the 8^th month of programme activities. It also marked the completion of the 4^th month of vocational training activities (VEBT); and the completion of the 2^nd month of business development activities (BPP).

All expected outputs were achieved; and no constraints were encountered.

Mogadishu City was relatively peaceful, and the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) continued to receive strong support for forcing US-backed warlords to flee the city.

While SAACID received interference from the UIC in some of its other (new) programming, the UIC did not interfere with this DDR programme at all. SAACID suspects that a combination of a lack of awareness of the status of the programme, and a perception that no easy cash is available for potential extortion are responsible for this.

Despite heavy fighting in the city in the prior months – where combatant parties were offering relatively high salaries for mercenary fighters - the programme remained an outstanding success. Three of the original 512 participants have been killed by stray gunfire in the 8-months of the programme; and another 3 have left the programme.

A real fear of the business development stream was that most of the militiamen that chose that stream would take the first US $200 business development tranche and flee. Only 1 of the 126 participants in the stream has disappeared. This is an outstanding outcome by any measure.

It is partly due to the strict monitoring and control of these participants by SAACID; the extensive family, clan and business-place mapping of these participants; and the random weekly monitoring of business sites. Overwhelmingly though, SAACID believes that it is due to the genuine desire and commitment of these militiamen to get out of the risky business of ‘security’ work and garner a genuine life skill that has the capacity to provide for their families.

SAACID monitored business and training sites throughout the period of heavy fighting, and apart from recorded days where SAACID suspended the programme, all vocational trainees, trainers, and business development trainees were at the designated places. In SAACID’s opinion, this is a very strong indicator that there was no leakage of ex-militiamen back to ‘security’ work at the time of significant conflict in the city.

A survey was begun at the end of July to map the progress of business development trainees – before the second tranche of US $150 was released to these participants.

Sporadic fighting in parts of the city caused localised disruption and closures – as outlined in the daily notes.

One vocational host trainer was given an official warning for not having his head trainer in attendance. After researching and negotiating the problem with the host trainer and the trainees, an effective outcome was achieved.

Some business development trainees were having ongoing problems with the inflation of the Somali Shilling; and effectively utilising foreign currency exchange.

Monthly payments to the participants and host trainers were made with the usual threats and intimidation by those who had received deductions to their salaries for absenteeism.

August

August marked the end of the 9^th month of programme activities. It also marked the completion of the 5^th month of vocational training activities (VEBT); and the completion of the 3^rd month of business development activities (BPP).

All expected outputs were achieved; and no constraints were encountered.

Mogadishu City was relatively peaceful, and the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) continued to receive strong support for forcing US-backed warlords to flee the city.

While SAACID received interference from the UIC in some of its other (new) programming, the UIC did not interfere with this DDR programme at all. The UIC is beginning to understand that SAACID is not willing to compromise the financial integrity of its programmes, and the number of UIC-related incidents in other programmes is significantly diminishing.

The month’s programme activities were without accident or any serious incident for both vocational and business stream ex-militiamen. There were, as usual now, complaints and threats from the vocational training ex-militiamen when they received their monthly stipend, and were deducted for any absenteeism.

The send tranche of US $150 of the business development grant for 126 of 127 ex-militiamen was provided (see survey above). One of the participants was excluded from the programme for not taking the business development opportunity seriously. Thirteen of the other 126 ex-militiamen were given final warnings that if they did not improve their commitment to the programme, they would not be receiving the 3^rd and final tranche of micro-grant funds.

Monitoring was completed on a daily basis of all host training workshops and business enterprises. Photographic and video evidence was taken throughout the month of those visits.

September

September marked the end of the 10^th month of programme activities. It also marked the completion of the 6^th month of vocational training activities (VEBT); and the completion of the 4h month of business development activities (BPP).

All expected outputs were achieved; and no constraints were encountered.

Mogadishu City remained relatively peaceful, though the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has begun to lose a lot of public support. Some starvation is becoming more evident in the city.

While SAACID continued to receive interference from the UIC in its high-profile ILO Employment for Peace programme, the UIC did not interfere with this DDR programme at all.

The month’s programme activities were without accident or any serious incident for both vocational and business stream ex-militiamen. There were, as usual now, complaints and threats from the vocational training ex-militiamen when they received their monthly stipend, and were deducted for any absenteeism.

Entrepreneurship classes for VEBT participants began at the beginning of this month. On one day per week each participant receives 2 hours of entrepreneurship training. This is a total of 30 contact hours for the programme. The entrepreneurship focuses upon business management and leadership. It is designed to give the participants the ability to manage their own business enterprise if they wish to. When the entrepreneurship training is added to the VEBT training a total of 1,470 contact hours of vocational business related training would be provided to each participant.

The 3^rd and final tranche of US $90 of the business development grant for 126 of the participating ex-militiamen in the business development programme is being arranged. A survey to assess the ongoing effectiveness of the business development strand will also be conducted next month. Those assessed as being in regular attendance at their business will be given this final micro-grant tranche.

October

September marked the end of the 11^th month of programme activities. It also marked the completion of the 7^th month of vocational training activities (VEBT); and the completion of the 5^th month of business development activities (BPP).

All expected outputs were achieved; and no constraints were encountered.

Though the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has been successful in bringing relative calm to Mogadishu City, the peace is superficial. The UIC have done nothing to reconcile clan differences, and in many ways, have exacerbated those divisions.

While SAACID continued to receive interference from the UIC in its high-profile ILO Employment for Peace programme, the UIC did not interfere with this DDR programme at all.

The month’s programme activities were without accident or any serious incident for both vocational and business stream ex-militiamen. There were, as usual now, complaints and threats from the vocational training ex-militiamen when they received their monthly stipend, and were deducted for any absenteeism.

Entrepreneurship classes for VEBT participants continued without incident.

The 3^rd and final tranche of US $90 of the business development grant for 125 of the participating ex-militiamen in the business development programme was completed without incident. One ex-militiaman has left Somalia and did not receive the final payment.

Monitoring was completed on a daily basis of all host training workshops and business enterprises. Photographic and video evidence was taken throughout the month of those visits.

November

November marked the end of the 12^th month of programme activities. It also marked the completion of the 8^th month of vocational training activities (VEBT); and the completion of the 6^th month of business development activities (BPP).

All expected outputs were achieved; and no constraints were encountered.

Increasing belligerence by the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) toward local and international actors continues to marginalise the UIC from the local communities in Mogadishu. This bravado translates into an increasing need to overtly oppose the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) – and by extension, Ethiopia – so as to maintain a semblance of unity within Mogadishu.

There was a significant reduction in the interference that SAACID received from the UIC. This was a combination of the development of new relationships with local district partners, and an increasing UIC focus on the TFG and Ethiopia.

The month’s programme activities were without accident or any serious incident for both vocational and business stream ex-militiamen. There were, as usual now, complaints and threats from the vocational training ex-militiamen when they received their monthly stipend, and were deducted for any absenteeism.

Entrepreneurship classes for VEBT participants continued without incident.

Monitoring was completed on a daily basis of all host training workshops and business enterprises. Photographic and video evidence was taken throughout the month of those visits.

A final SAACID micro-grant tracking survey found that after the final micro-grant payment, 12 of the 125 participating business development participants (9.6%) discontinued their businesses. While this is disappointing, SAACID always thought that it was the business develop stream participants that were the least committed to demobilisation and reintegration. SAACID was extremely worried that a majority of these men would disappear after the first micro-grant instalment was provided (US $200). This never happened, and really highlighted to SAACID the genuine underlying desire of militiamen to create lives that did not involve banditry. To have in excess of 90% of the participants continue in their businesses after the final micro-grant payment again highlights the commitment of ex-militiamen to building new lives.