By Kate Bih
Dozens of ex-separatist fighters at the Bamenda DDR center are yearning to be reintegrated into society several years after they were admitted at the center upon their surrender from the Ambazonia separatist movement.
Clovis (pseudonym) once harbored dreams of graduating from university and getting a decent job.
But in 2017, his aspirations were shattered when he became actively involved in the armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.
He was among thousands of young people who picked up arms against the state to fight for a breakaway state called Ambazonia.
After two years of combat, he says he realized the futility of his pursuits and subsequently joined the Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) center in Bamenda, where he has spent four years acquiring driving skills with hopes of reintegration.
“I wish to be reintegrated so that with my skills, I can provide for myself and my family,” said Clovis.
He echoed the sentiments of numerous individuals who have spent over three years each at the Bamenda DDR center, yearning for a return to society.
Michael (not his real name), another ex-combatant, voiced his desire to contribute to nation-building with the skills he acquired during his time at the center.
“Being at the center for five years now makes me sick,” he added, highlighting the urgency for reintegration.
Behind these yearnings for reintegration lie harrowing stories of how these former combatants ended up at the DDR center.
Maimouna, frustrated by broken promises in 2019, was arrested by the military and coerced into revealing the whereabouts of her separatist general lover.
Her compliance led to his demise, and she was subsequently abandoned, captured by separatists, and forced to rejoin their ranks.
But today, she has found her way to the DDR center in Bamenda where she lives with hundreds of other repentant fighters.
Similarly, Mbashie Sylvester, a self-proclaimed General Shina Rambo, has been at the center for seven months after he was captured during a military raid in May 2023.
His brother, Mbashie Clement, popularly known as General No Pity, was reportedly killed by the military just before his capture.
Reflecting on his past actions, Sylvester expressed regret, stating, “We stained our hands with blood, I regret all of that now.”
These former fighters now grapple with the consequences of their actions.
Maimouna aspires to resume her education but is haunted by the havoc she caused during her four years and six months as a separatist fighter.
Lydia (not her real name) was kidnapped and turned into a cook in a separatist base at Ntankah.
“I was told my mother will be killed if I am unwilling to stay at the camp, then I succumbed,” she narrated.
Being at the DDR was a reality after the first attempt led to the killing of four others with whom she tried escaping.
“I am happy to be safe now at the center though worried about my future,” said Lydia.
The DDR centers in Bamenda, Buea, and the Far North were established by a 2018 presidential decree with the aim to provide amnesty to former separatist fighters from the North West and South West Regions, as well as ex-Boko Haram combatants in the Far North who voluntarily surrendered their weapons.
Recent statistics from the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, reveal that over a thousand ex-combatants have dropped their weapons nationwide, engaging in skill-building programs.
Despite the petit businesses the ex-fighters run at the Bamenda DDR center, the daily food provisions and donations like those handed to them during a recent visit by the President of the North West Regional, Professor Fru Angwafor, the ex-combatants expressed a preference for reintegration over continued sustenance.
Some of them say they are eager to contribute positively to society.
Prof. Fru, delivering a message of hope, urged them to become ambassadors for peace in their reintegration journey.
