Conflict management experts have pointed out that process of Disarmaments, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) in the post conflict period requires conscious, well planned, transparent and accountable strategies for the establishment of permanent peace in the country.

They said that arms management experiences from one country would add little expertise to arms management in another country since dynamics and nature of conflict differ in different countries and societies.

Speaking at a national workshop organised jointly by Friendship For Peace (FfP) and International Alert (IA) in the capital on Monday, Director General of IA, Dan Smith, said that disarmament and demobilisation of guerillas in Nepal should be designed to suit the country so that the goal of establishment of peaceful, just and zero-violence society could be achieved.

He said lack of data about actual number of arms, the way they are used and places they are kept could pose obstacles in peace building. He stressed on consensus between the government and armed forces and said coalition among political stakeholders could help overcome these obstacles.

Senior DDR advisor of the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) Adrian Verheul—who arrived in Kathmandu to take up his job last week– said peace agreement, creation of institutions for implementation of those agreements, security management and financing are pre-conditions for DDR process to go smoothly. He said disarmament and destruction of arms and explosives should go together in post conflict period and the government should work towards enforcement of legal instrument related to conflict management, disarmament, use of explosives etc.

Adrian said safe disposal of arms and explosives were important part of the DDR. Though third party involvement would smoothen the works, political consensus can be best for arms management, he added.

Soth Plai Ngarm from Cambodia shared experiences of arms management in his country that had taken place in the late 1990s. He said since DDR process is a serious and sensitive issue, concerned authorities should take all complaints and questions very consciously. He said though third party involvement in the process of arms management in any country would be an arbitrary idea, coalition approach of all forces within the state is the best way for DDR to take place.

The programme was organised with assistance from the Royal Norwegian government.

Nepal has already requested the United Nations to help and monitor in management of arms and armed personnel in the country but the world body is yet to respond.