CI-NEWS

Bamenda Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Centre counts achievements two years on.

2020-07-07

No: 510

Bamenda Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Centre counts achievements two years on.

By Philo Happi in Bamenda.

Since the creation of the Bamenda Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Center in 2018, it has changed the life of some ex-fighters.

The centre is hosting some 113 fighters who saw the need to drop their guns and follow the right path. Amongst them are 12 children, 12 girls and 89 boys.

In a press briefing on Thursday June 18, 2020, the Regional Coordinator of the Bamenda DDR Center, Gabsa Nyugha Sixtus, presented a report on how the centre has been functioning for the past 2 years. He cited that the first batch of 32 Ex-fighters who graduated from the centre have been reintegrated into the Society and working in Camtel. More are expected to leave the centre in the days ahead.

“Here we give them Pedagogic competences and vocational skills in agriculture, particularly in poultry, piggery, gardening. We also teach them Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which will help them to change their perception in technology and computer softwares. We would embark on trades like driving, tailoring, hair dressing and cosmetology very soon. We also carry out psychological reconversion which involves the change of the ideological mindset of the violent extremists who are former members of the armed groups to that of civilians,” he said.

While encouraging others who are still in the bushes to drop their weapons and come to the DDR centre, the Regional Coordinator made it clear that the centre is not a prison or a trap to those he referred to as his children. He said the DDR works in line with its ordained mission while respecting human rights and the international humanitarian laws.

Talking to the press on behalf of Ex-fighters, two of them expressed their joy saying that with the skills acquired at the DDR centre they are ready to be independent as they prepare to restart their lives. They equally used the occasion to call on their brothers and sisters who are still in the bushes to come out and join the reformation process at the center.

The regional chief of centre said: “It is very disgusting that despite the existence of the DDR Centre and the offer of an olive branch of peace and amnesty to our children in the bushes by the Head of State, many have not yet taken this advantage to lay down their arms and join their peers in the DDR centres. Our children should not continue listening to lies from those in the Diaspora who are living luxurious lives while putting the lives of others in danger. Our children are advised to drop their weapons and join the peace- building structure called the DDR so as to restart a new page in their lives.”

Those willing to drop their arms can contact the following numbers; 654 594 478, 668 678 898 or 677 419 379"

A PHP Error was encountered

A PHP Error was encountered

Bamenda Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Centre counts achievements two years on.