DDR to Reintegrate 708 Boko Haram Ex-Fighters into Communities

The National Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration Centre (DDR) is set to reintegrate some 708 Boko Haram ex-fighters into the communities.

The graduation from DDR will take place in Mora, Mayo Sava Division of Cameroon’s Far North region, on Wednesday, December 18.

It will be presided over by the DDR National Coordinator, Fai Yengo Francis.

According to the press kit from DDR, of the 708, there are 103 men, 176 women, and 429 children.

They will be going into communities after having acquired technical, vocational, and business skills in the DDR Centre. DDR says the skills will enable ex-fighters to be financially self-sustainable while in the community.

“At the time of reintegration, the NDDRC provides reintegration kits (materials) to each repentant fighter to enhance the establishment of income-generating activities in the community,” a statement from the Centre added.

DDR to follow ex-fighters up

When the ex-fighters leave the centre in Mora, that will not be a final goodbye for them. DDR says it intends to monitor and evaluate the activities of reintegrated ex-fighters in the community.

“The Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the NDDRC will supervise the activities of the repentant fighters in the community for one year.”

“This will be done by organising periodic meetings, impromptu visits to their residents and job sites, and seminars,” it added. There will also be other measures aimed at monitoring their activities as well as other socio-economic and political interactions with members of communities.

4075 Repentant Fighters Join DDR

As of November 30th this year, 4075 repentant fighters had laid down their arms and joined the DDR across the country. The DDR has three centres based in Buea, Southwest Region; Bamenda, Northwest Region; and Mora, Far North Region.

That is because of the multifaceted conflicts plaguing Cameroon. The country’s military battles Separatists in the Northwest and Southwest and Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North.

Cameroon President Paul Biya, in 2018, extended an olive branch to fighters by creating the DRR for those wishing to drop arms.

Of the three centres carrying out disarmament, demobilisation, and integration of ex-fighters, Mora harbours the highest.

The centre in Mora is hosting 2967. Meanwhile, Bamenda has 519, and Buea has 589.

Aside from the joining ex-fighters in Mora communities, DDR will also inaugurate an ultra-modern centre there. The multifunctional structure has a capacity of over 1000 people; 75 huthouses; a dormitory; among other things.