Ex-fighters of the Ambazonia armed separatists movement will now move to thier “home” at the outskirts of the town, from their temporal site of 3 years.
The multipurpose complex that will prepare ex-combatants for reinsertion into the society was inaugurated in Bamenda on April 10, 2021. The Grand Chancellor of National Orders and former prime minister, Philemon Yang, in the company of the National Coordinator of the NDDRC, and other elite of the North West Region cut the ribbon on Saturday.
The fenced compound has six blocks as dormitories, a refectory, three blocks to serve as workshops, a church, command post, parking shed among other facilities. There is also a generator to back up frequent power outage. “President Paul Biya does not only have the spirit of great realisation but is a wonderful initiator of laudable projects too”, Yang said of the Head of State as he inaugurated the centre.
Fai Yengo Francis said the beauty of the centre will cause former fighters to “appreciate the forgiving mind of the Head of State and Cameroonians” Saturday’s event was on the heels of a seminarom-plex on Saturday to educate the ex-combatants on the purpose of the centre. Speakers included administrative authorities, the defence and security forces, the judiciary, religious and traditional rulers and associations. They all narrated the steps that lead to integration. Ex-combatants have complained about their stay in the centre saying that it is too long. Fai Yengo has asked the ex-combatants to be patient. Adding that the unstable security situation in the region makes their reinsertion risky.
President Biya created the centre on November 30, 2018, considered a second chance to ex fighters who drop their weapons, picked up against the state.
Jude VIBAN
