National Commissions: The Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration and Reconciliation section (in the CPA) makes provisions for the establishment, composition, and responsibilities of DDR Institutions i.e., the National DDR Coordination Council (NDDRCC), the Northern Sudan DDR Commission (NSDDRC), and the Southern Sudan DDR Commission (SSDDRC).

The two Commissions are political bodies with the representation of civil society, and will be in charge of DDR process design, implementation and management, while the National Council is a joint body responsible for the overall policy formulation, oversight, review, coordination, and evaluation of the DDR process.

Specifically, the Commissions will have the following specific roles & responsibilities:

• Develop and approve DDR policy and strategy;
• In particular, define DDR objectives, its target groups of participants and their support mechanisms, and its main implementation modalities;
• Define the overall criteria for DDR implementation: screening and selection of participants, approval of benefits, priorities in processing and similar;
• Define (and redefine whenever necessary) the institutional and political issues pertaining to the process of DDR;
• Approve specific DDR programmes to implement the above policy according to the defined criteria;
• Define and oversee set-up of the respective National Implementation Unit;
• Validate procedures proposed for the respective Directorate to carry out its activities;
• Approve the Directorate action plans and related activity reports;
• Assure the overall coherence of the DDR public information and sensitization campaign, to avoid misperceptions and false expectations;
• Assure that all relevant governmental and non-governmental actors participate in a coordinated and effective manner, when they are called upon to do so;
• Assure the permanent monitoring and evaluation of the DDR programme(s), and feedback into policy/strategy/criteria redefinition as required.
• Donors/international agencies should not be part of the Committee, but may have an advisory status.

• Provide relevant information, security assistance as well as advice on the selection of potential sites for disarmament and demobilization.
• Provide technical input and carry out the process of disarmament, registration, documentation and screening of potential candidates for demobilization.
• Develop and install systems for arms control and advice on a larger legislative framework to monitor and control arms recycling.
• Monitor and verify the conformity of the DDR process along recognized and acceptable international standards.
• Assume responsibility for effective disarmament of combatants, maintain a pertinent registry of surrendered weaponry and conduct pre-demobilization screening and evaluation.
• Provide external security and assume man management responsibilities in order to maintain internal security at each demobilization centre.