More fighters of the Ambazonia separatist armed movement are being enrolled in the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Centres. Some 12 repentant ambazonian fighters and their weapons were presented to administrative authorities in Buea on November 18 2020.
The 12 ex fighters who called themselves guerilla operating in Wabane and Alou subdivisions in the Lebialem Division, one of the strongholds of the Ambazonia separatist movement in the South West were taken to the governor’s office by the Senior Divisional Officer of Lebialem William Ekema Mongombe
The weapons which were presented alongside the fighters included dozens of guns of several calibre , automatic AK47, pistolets, and assorted ammunitions and iron bars to name but these
Before then, the repentant fighters were taken to the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration centre in Buea where they were disarmed and dressed in DDR T-shirts
While congratulating them for the good decision, the Secretary General to the South West governor’s office promised the fighters medical assistance, security and a quick reintegration into the society.
He said the Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration Centre (DDR) would receive them, lodge, feed, clothe and train them to reconversion into normal life. added that the DDR had more than eight different trades offering opportunities for reconversion.
He also used the opportunity to call on other fighters still in the bushes to follow the example, finally heed to the Head of State’s call to to leave the bushes, drop their arms and join their fellow countrymen.
Created in November 30 2018, with three Regional Centres in Mora,Bamenda and Buea, the DDR has enrolled about 500 ex-fighters in the centres. According to Fai Yengo Francis,the National Coordinator of the Centre, there are also close to 100 ex-fighters who have had a chance to benefit from early reintegration.
He summarized that since early December 2018, when the first ex-fighters was received in the Bamenda centre to date about 800 young persons have given-in to calls made by the government.
While three centres already exist, the DDR has created a new centre in conflict hotspot of Kumba, Meme division.
