As the unity government talks continue towards a resolution, the Libyan Programme for Reintegration and Development (LPRD), formerly known as WAC (Warriors Affairs Commission), has released its ‘Progress Report’ demonstrating challenges and achievement in the reintegration of exFcombatants, including insights into financial management and offering a view of its future plans.
In a timescale of just three years, a spend of 69M LD (only 0.09% of the overall government budget), and implementation of a programme of rehabilitation and reintegration, the LPRD has built Libya’s first and only comprehensive database of 162,000 former revolutionaries.
Vetting, interviewing and assigning beneficiaries to Social, Civic, Security, Educative and Economic training programmes, the LPRD’s work is aiming to transform former combatants into contributing citizens, and help de-radicalise through dialogue and rehabilitation.
On its inception in 2011, the LPRD signed an agreement with the Libyan Organisation for Anti-Corruption and Transparency. They are also under close financial supervision by the Libyan Audit Bureau. The report includes full transparent disclosure of its financials and how resources have been allocated, representing a further milestone in Libyan public and civil service.
Speaking on the themes of international support for a ceasefire; getting people back into civil society; and the importance of collaboration in creating a stable, secure and prosperous Libya as part of the path to disarmament, UK Special Envoy to Libya, Jonathan Powell, said the reintegration approach taken by the LPRD “is a crucial one. It is now the time to re-double efforts planning for the post conflict environment.”
Notwithstanding the scale of its achievement in reintegration to date, the LPRD’s approach has also created a vital infrastructure that is ready for acceleration and expansion in the wake of a formed united national government. This commitment reflects the governing principles of the Libyan Political Agreement that is the basis for a future Government of National Accord.
Commenting on the progress so far, General Manager Mustafa El Sagezli said: “Dialogue and reconciliation are the first bricks in building a state, however there is much more to do. When the LPRD can say that everyone who contributed to a free Libya is back in society running a business, a family and working towards a stable, prosperous country, then we will know our mission has succeeded.
“Following the Progress Report we will be publishing a detailed strategic plan for the future in conjunction with the relevant institutions being defined and established by the forthcoming Unity Government. This plan will cover the reintegration of armed groups together with a strategy to disarm them,” El Sagezli continued.
Former combatant, now Head of Security at the Libyan Embassy in London, Ashref Almear, said the LPRD was “invaluable in helping me find my way. Their programmes helped me get a job and advance my career in security.”
Supporting the progress of the LPRD so far, Director of Trust Funds at the Islamic Development Bank, Elmansour Feten, said: “The LPRD is impartial in its aims and neutral in its political stance. I am confident the organisation is on the right track in terms of helping to restore our country’s good fortunes.”
The full report can be downloaded here, and the executive summary here.
(Source: LPRD)
