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Repentant separatist fighters at the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration center (DDR) in Bamenda have taken an engagement to put an end to the Monday traditional ghost town observed in the North West and South West Regions since 2017.
Speaking to the DDR national coordinator Wednesday, November 25th in Bamenda, one of the fighters says “…we want to add that we will do everything possible to put an end to the so-called ghost town”. The fighters failed to disclose strategies they will use to succeed in the venture that seems to have overpowered even the government since 2017.
Some observers hold that ex-separatists master strategies their former colleagues, fighters, are using to instill fear in the minds of people to let them respect ghost town. Thus, repentant fighters are believed to be planning to render the strategies of fighters counterproductive and consequently make ghost towns a thing of the past.
Twenty-three ex-fighters from Donga Mantung, Menchum, and Mezam Divisions were presented to the DDR national coordinator, Fai Yengo Francis. He says the situation of ex-fighters is due to improve in the weeks ahead.
“A 1.2 billion multipurpose center is near completion near the Bamenda Airport. The center will help train the ex-fighters in different trades,” said Fai Yengo.
At the moment, the DDR center in Bamenda counts a total of 175 occupants – 137 boys, 23 girls, and 15 children.
The number of people who have laid down their arms to embrace normal life is highly contested by pro-separatists who say those in the center have never been fighters.
Mbatho Ntan.
