Government designs ‘appeasement policy ‘ for ex fighters

The level of disapproval of government’s handling of boys and girls who formerly fought for the restoration of the state of Ambazonia in the North West and South west regions and are today lodged at disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) centres, is on the rise in the centres.

Less than three months into the year 2021, ex fighters in at DDR Centres in Buea and Bamenda bypassed administrators of the centres and engaged in street protests to denounce what they said was maltreatment by officials.

“We cannot be living here in the centre when our families have nothing to eat. Government promised us jobs but up to now nothing has been done” one of the disgruntle ex fighters told reporters in January this year at the Bokwango neighbourhood in Buea where they staged a street protest, blocking the road.

With protests in the DDR centres and plans by the ex fighters to launch more offensive actions against the government, officials are designing what many have called an “appeasement policy” to calm the wrath of the ex fighters.

In a meeting chaired by PM Joseph Dion Ngute Tuesday March 9th 2021, officials said more than 651 ex fighters are in DDR centres in Buea and Bamenda awaiting reintegration into the society.

To Fai Yengo Francis- National Coordinator of the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Deintegration, “…reintegration is the final phase and that needs to be done.”

PM Dion Ngute who chaired the meeting said effective reintegration is unavoidable in the completion of the project.

As government continues the process of disarmament demobilization and reintegration, the war rages on in the regions with new fighters believed to be recruited just as some continue to voluntarily surrender their arms to administrative officials.

Mbatho Ntan.

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