Khartoum 17-1-12: On January 16th, 2012 in Khartoum a bold new initiative in business development for ex-combatants was presented to a rapt audience. Facilitated by UNDP DDR, the Sudan DDR Commission (SDDRC) and local private sector consultant PACT, the workshops aims were to introduce the new concept of value chain analysis to DDR in order to show stakeholders just what a value-chain is and how it can be maximized to empower both ex-combatants and the community at large. The audience, which included representatives from local businesses like DAL group and CAPOS, banks, implementing partners, government and non-government organizations including representatives from various ministries, and the ex-combatants themselves, were keen to understand the perspective benefits of the value chains themselves.
As such, it was explained that DDR is engaged in value chain development for three major reasons: to increase the sustainability of reintegration, broaden the positive economic benefits to the larger community, and to broaden peace building impact. UNDP and the SDDRC are promoting value chain integration in Sudan to further bolster the sustainable support of the socioeconomic reintegration of ex-combatants and economic recovery of localities as a peace building mechanism. Inter and intra-state value chains will be strengthened with ex-combatants and vulnerable youth as links in the chain together with other community members.