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Cameroon Says Former Separatist Fighters Escaping From Disarmament Centers

Moki Edwin Kindzeka

   YAOUNDE - Cameroon authorities are searching for more than 130 former
   separatist fighters who recently escaped from disarmament,
   demobilization and re-integration centers. The ex-rebels had turned
   themselves in to the rehabilitation centers but later escaped after
   complaints about poor facilities and a shortage of basic needs. Despite
   their initial voluntary surrender, Cameroon authorities still consider
   the former rebels a security threat.

   General Valere Nka, commander of Cameroon troops fighting separatists
   has threatened to kill any ex-rebels who again take up weapons against
   the state of Cameroon. But he says the ex-fighters will be pardoned if
   they return to disarmament, demobilization and re-integration centers.

   "The security and defense forces are here to protect them," he said.
   "We need collaboration to succeed in this operation because we have to
   win hearts and minds. Many Ambazonians [separatist fighters]have been
   misled. Let them drop their weapons, we take them to the
   DDR[Demobilization Centers]and then they [fighters] come to normal
   life."

   The operation to bring back ex-fighters and encourage those who are
   still reluctant to drop their weapon is carried out on local media.
   Messages on the functioning of the centers are also shared on social
   media.

   The Cameroon government says some 130 ex-fighters recently escaped from
   the re-integration centers. Local newspapers report that 250 former
   rebels escaped and returned to the bush, where they hide to commit
   atrocities. VOA could not independently confirm the number of
   ex-fighters who have escaped.

   But former fighters have been sharing video messages on social media
   asking their runaway peers to return to the rehabilitation centers. In
   the videos, the ex-rebels say the conditions at the Disarmament,
   Demobilization and Reintegration Centers have improved. The videos
   explain that there is enough food, agriculture, livestock and carpentry
   training facilities to enable the former fighters to have revenue
   generating activities in the future.

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