Protective, sensitive reporting: DDR committee, UN Migration schooling journalists in Garoua.

This is the focus of a four-day training, ongoing in Garoua, in the North Region. 

The training workshop is organised by the National Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Committee, NDDRC, in collaboration with the United Nations Agency for Migration, better known as International Organisation for Migration, IOM. 

The workshop was opened by the representative of the National Coordinator of NDDRC, Adamu Musa, who is the Director of Reintegration at the organisation. 

It was in the presence of the Head of DDR Centre in Mora, in the Far North Region, Oumar Bichaïr; the representatives of the Governor of Far North Region, and Head of IOM Maroua Office.

Officials said the workshop is part of a project dubbed: “Strengthening security and the reintegration of former fighters in the Far North Region of Cameroon”.

The ace CRTV journalist, Adamu Musa, acknowledged the strategic role journalists occupy in the society and NDDRC’s commitment to capacitating the media to fully play its role.

While acknowledging the support of administrators to the works of the DDR centres, Adamu Musa also praised the collaboration with IOM in helping to train ex-efighters and facilitating their reintegration.

One of the workshop facilitators, Prof Gwoda Adder Abel, made two key presentations on crisis and mobility. He talked about the role of IOM in DDR as well as reintegration in the framework of sustainable peace approach. 

According to Prof Gwoda,  a study has proven that majority of fighters in the armed crises, be it in the North West, South West or Far North Regions, have joined the ranks for mostly economic interest than ideological reasons.

“When you look, for example, at the rise of violent extremism across Africa, there is a tendency to assume that people have joined the ranks, largely for ideological reasons,” Prof Gwoda remarked, noting that: “But this document has shown us that only 3% join the ranks for ideological reasons and these are generally those who attended Koranic schools and so on”.

He added: “But the majority, that is, 93 or 96%, do so for economic reasons. It’s said that their loyalty can be easily bought with financial incentives. And so, that is why reintegration, in order for it to be sustainable, must ensure that there is income. That is, a job that provides sustainable income”.

Prof Gwoda stated that reintegration is at the very heart of the DDR process, with the aim of ensuring lasting peace. Looking at the evolution and adaptation of DDR, he explained that three generations are involved with different approaches. 

“The first generation of the DDR we experienced, especially during the years of the rebellions. It’s a moment focused on the individual following a peace agreement,” he noted.

He then emphasised that DDR is a tool that can contribute to lasting peace and the resolution of displacement crises, by addressing the needs of former fighters, their families, and returning communities.

Besides working with governments on policies and operational frameworks for DDR, Prof Gwoda affirmed that the UN Migration Agency supports DDR efforts. 

This, he said, is primarily by focusing on reintegration and resettlement, including programmes such as socio-economic recovery, social cohesion programmes, and health and psychosocial assistance, among other interventions.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3746 of Monday March 30, 2026