The Cameroon government is offering AMNESTY to all Amba boys who drop their weapons.
FR:> (Google Translate)
Le gouvernement camerounais offre AMNISTIE à tous les garçons Amba qui déposent leurs armes.
In December 2018, President Paul Biya created a national committee for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of former separatist Amba fighters in Northwest and Southwest regions.
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En Décembre 2018, le président Paul Biya a créé un comité national pour le désarmement, la démobilisation et la réintégration (DDR) d'anciens combattants de la Sépara Amba dans les régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest.
The government said the committee was created to assist hundreds of former fighters who wish to drop their guns and get pardoned. The pardon is called AMNESTY.
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Le gouvernement a déclaré que le comité avait été créé pour aider des centaines d'anciens combattants qui souhaitaient abandonner leurs armes et se faire pardonner. le pardon s'appelle AMNISTIE.
Amnesty means the former Amba fighters will not be in trouble for any crimes they committed while fighting with the Amba boys. Any Amba boy that wants to drop his guns should call 115. The number is free to call.
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Amnistie signifie que les anciens combattants d'Amba ne seront pas en danger pour les crimes qu'ils auraient commis en se battant avec les garçons d'Amba. N'importe quel garçon Amba qui veut lâcher ses armes devrait appeler le 115. Le numéro est gratuit.
Below are the Questions I asked the DDR and the answers I was given..
The DDR Centres
– For ex-Amba boys, there are 2 centres in the country. Bamenda and Buea.
– They only need to contact the Divisional Officer (DO) of the locality and indicate their willingness. The DDR will be contacted for safe transportation to the centre. They could also use our toll free numbers (115) for further clarifications.
At the DDR Centres
– The DDR centres hold and safeguard former Amba fighters
– Teachers in various disciplines provide tutoring
– They have established weekly program of activities
– Available games & other distractions to keep them occupied
– They have questionnaires on each of them from their stay in the camps to what they want to do in future
The current strategy
- Disarm, and assemble the ex – fighters at the DDR Centres
- Do more publicity, sensitisation and advertise the toll free numbers
- Training is on-going for the receptionists at the call centres who will handle the toll free numbers.
The problem of ID Cards
The DDR has put in place a mechanism for the establishment of ID cards to those who don’t have. Unfortunately, at the moment, only those who are at the centre will benefit from this service.
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Le DDR a mis en place un mécanisme pour l’établissement de cartes d’identité pour ceux qui n’en ont pas. Malheureusement, pour le moment, seuls les membres du centre bénéficieront de ce service.
The problem of Boredom & detox from drugs
– The board of the DDR is composed of 17 ministries. Which means that we provide social, health, education, vocational training etc which is followed by the establishment of each individual in his/her choice of vocation.
We are presently giving general training in poultry farming & gardening. Each person will eventually be relocated to his/her choice of vocation or education
– There are many forms of recreation available the centres, like board games such as Ludo, playing cards, checkers & Droughts board games, football, handball, volleyball etc
– The town of relocation is chosen by the individual
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- Le conseil d'administration du DDR est composé de 17 ministères. Ce qui signifie que nous fournissons une formation sociale, sanitaire, éducative, professionnelle, etc. suivie de l’établissement de chaque individu dans son choix de vocation.
Nous donnons actuellement une formation générale en aviculture et jardinage. Chaque personne finira par être relocalisée dans le choix de sa vocation ou de son éducation
- Il existe de nombreuses formes de loisirs disponibles dans les centres, comme des jeux de société tels que Ludo, des jeux de cartes, des dames et des jeux de société sur la sécheresse, des matchs de football, de handball, de volley-ball, etc.
- La ville de relocalisation est choisie par l'individu
What about Family Members at risk?
– The welfare of the family members of ex-fighters is a major concern, we are working on that.
FR:> Google Translate - Le bien-être des membres de la famille des anciens combattants est une préoccupation majeure, nous y travaillos.
What’s happening at the Bamenda Centre?
– Currently holds over 30 Ex-Amba fighters.
– Was visited by the national coordinator (Mr Gabsa) and Minister of territorial administration (Antanga Nji Paul)