As more fighters surrendering: DDR boss hails Amba fighters for heeding Biya’s peace message.

Fai Yengo made the remarks in an interview he granted state-run radio Sunday February 19.

His outing on flagship Sunday magazine programme on CRTV, Cameroon Calling, followed the surrendering of dreaded self-styled separatist commander, ‘General’ Grand Pa and three of his fighters in Awing, Santa Subdivision, Mezam Division of the North West Region.

“The hand of fellowship of the Head of State, H.E Paul Biya, is still there and it is an opportunity not to miss for those wishing to drop their weapons,” Fai Yengo told those still carrying arms in the bushes,

He added that the DDR Centres of Buea, Bamenda and Meri are functioning normally and are open to receive any number of ex-fighters at any time.

“…we continue to call on all those misguided youth who are still in the bushes, who are still reluctant to come out, to forget about the past, the different misinformation, lies told them and seize the peace offer of the Head of State to become normal Cameroonians like the others,” Fai Yengo further appealed.

Others steadily dropping arms

The NDDR boss said the move by the four ex-fighters to drop their weapons to soldiers in Awing in order to join the Bamenda DDR is “a very good news” for the structure.

“’General’ Grand Pa took the bold step and came along with three of his friends,” he disclosed.

Aside ‘General’ Grand Pa and his fighters, the DDR Coordinator further revealed that eleven other fighters have dropped their arms in different locations in the region. “…we are looking for ways to bring them to the centre in Bamenda,” he said.

Sensitisation moves paying off

Fai Yengo attributed the steady surrendering of weapons by the separatist fighters to the robust sensitisation that has been rolled out by the NDDR in the three troubled regions.

“All these, I think, is because of the action, the sensitisation drive that is going on in the field,” he said, while also attributing the feat being recorded to the efforts of security forces and local authorities.

“This people who are surrendering is proof that the message of peace is going through, even if it is gradual,” optimistic Fai Yengo said.

He noted that at the moment, there are also sensitisation going on in the communities to be able to accept the ex-fighters when they are eventually reintegrated into the society.

Appeal for support in communities

Fai Yengo used the opportunity to once more appeal to all and sundry, particularly traditional, municipal and religious authorities as well as those of the civil society and all good citizens to join forces with the NDDR in the sensitisation drive to get the few remaining fighters from the bushes and ensure the “adventure which they undertook never repeats itself again in our country”.

He called on the population to forget what obtained at the early stage when the crisis escalated and help the NDDR tell the fighters still in the bushes in the various communities that the “way forward is for them to come back”.

“The population should tell them the truth and continue to the support the initiative of the Head of State,” Fai Yengo pleaded.

Appeal to ex-fighters, those still in bushes

Fai Yengo told those who have already dropped their weapons and joined the DDR Centres in Buea, Bamenda and Meri that they “made a very good choice”, but appealed on them to be “patient and follow the different measures that the state has put in place in order to make them come back as normal Cameroonians”.

To those still carrying arms in the bushes, the NDDR boss told them that it is time for them to drop their weapons, “forget about the past adventure”.

“…we think that it is not going to prosper, it is not going anywhere. I will tell them honestly that the earlier they come out, the better,” the NDDR boss stated, while pleading on them to listen the messages the centre sends out to them through their former peers who are now at the centres.

Reply to critics wanting closure of DDR centres

Fai Yengo was categorically clear to those calling for the closure of the NDDR that such a move can only come to fruition when the conflicts in the various regions must have ended.

“If we close the DDR centres now, what are we going to do with the children who are there? What are we going to do with those we want to come out of the bushes and particularly what are we going to do with the population?” Fai Yengo questioned rhetorically, while clearly stating that those still in the bushes are “a threat to the population”.

The NDDR boss further explained that with over 3,000 ex-fighters in the various centres, it will be more harmful releasing the ex-fighters especially as their peers are still in the bushes and also the population who have an axe to grind with the ex-combatants.

“The people who think the centres should be closed should rethink the situation,” he said, adding that the Head of State, who created the centres, did so out of care and love of not seeing youth who had been misled to pick up arms being killed in the process.

NDDR not diverting in its missions  

Fai Yengo also clarified that contrary to some recent media reports insinuating that the missions of the DDR have been diverted, the ex-fighters are rather used to fight crime waves.

“The young people at the DDR centres are Cameroonians and I think that if they put an effort to assist the security forces, to assist the population, then I don’t think they have diverted from their activity,” he explained.

Appraisal of the DDR three years on

The NDDR boss said three years after the structure was put in place by the Head of State, their efforts led to the surrounding of over 3,000 fighters in the three conflict-hit regions.

Fai Yengo reiterated that the different components of the structure working in synergy from steps taken to disarm ex-fighters upon arrival with the help of security officials added to income-generating skills and entrepreneurship trainings offered the ex-fighters to ease the reintegration phase of their NDDR mission.

He noted that aside trainings offered, the skills of the fighters are also being improved in other areas of trade where they had, prior to picking up arms, been into. 

Reintegration delaying due to ongoing conflicts

He explained that the third component of their mission, which is reintegration, is taking a little longer because the conflicts are still going on and the ex-fighters cannot be sent out at the moment when their friends are still in the bushes killing.

Fai Yengo also said steps to better the conditions of ex-fighters are also complete as the main structures erected to host them have been built in Bamenda and Buea while that of Mora is being completed.

This, he said, adds to other facilities including the creation of farms, possibilities to do fishing and livestock development and plans underway to set up health structures in the permanent sites.

Repentant ‘General’ Grand Pa says Amba struggle failed project

Meanwhile, speaking to CRTV reporters on Cameroon Calling, repentant separatist warlord, self-styled ‘General’ Grand Pa, said he and some of his fighters decided to surrender after realising that they were ignorant and misled to have taken up arms against the state.

“What we were doing was out of ignorance. We thought it was something good but after sometime, we realised it was something that can affect our lives. That is why we decided to drop our arms,” he said.

The separatist kingpin, who operated in Awing in Santa Subdivision, said the decision to surrender was also motivated by the fact that the Ambazonia independence struggle is already a failed project.

“All the tyres of the vehicles we were driving to Buea have been punctured except two and if the two get punctured, it means all of us have become losers,” Grand Pa said.

The repentant separatist advised his peers still in the bushes to borrow a leaf from him and have a rethink of their lives by dropping their arms and joining the DDR centres.

“…life doesn’t have a second part…this is the time for us to take our individual decisions for our lives. We have lost many souls and we don’t know where the fight is going,” he cautioned those in the bushes, while regretting the fact that most of them were duped into fighting while others were collecting huge sums and enjoying their lives elsewhere.

He declared that there are many fighters carrying guns without actually knowing the reason they are holding arms, added to those who were already bandits before the escalation of the crisis to an armed conflict.

Feeling comfortable being at DDR

The repentant Amba commander told CRTV reporters that he was warmly welcomed at the Bamenda DDR and he feels so comfortable being there.

He expressed delight with the advice given him and others on a daily basis by the Bamenda DDR Coordinator, Kum Henry.

No more Amba in Awing

The ex-Amba kingpin said he had close to 22 fighters under his command, many of whom have died and the others have surrendered with him and joined the DDR.

Quizzed if there are still fighters in Awing, ‘General’ Grand Pa said the village is now free of Amba fighters.

“The rest who were stubborn have gone to other areas,” he stated, while recounting the story of his rise to prominence within the separatist militia.

“When your colleagues see the way you are working, they can decide to promote you. The rank is added by big fighters and ‘Generals’ who had been ahead,” he explained, adding that but for the fame, the position of ‘General’ had no extra benefits.  

The ex-separatist fighter revealed that he chose the nickname Grand Pa in the course of the struggle due his love for peace.

“Grand Pa was like someone who needed peace since grandparents are usually peace-lovers. When there is a problem in the family and a grandfather steps in, the problem is resolved. That is why I chose the name Grand Pa, because it is a name for peace,” the repentant combatant explained.

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Fai Yengo made the remarks in an interview he granted state-run radio Sunday February 19.

His outing on flagship Sunday magazine programme on CRTV, Cameroon Calling, followed the surrendering of dreaded self-styled separatist commander, ‘General’ Grand Pa and three of his fighters in Awing, Santa Subdivision, Mezam Division of the North West Region.

“The hand of fellowship of the Head of State, H.E Paul Biya, is still there and it is an opportunity not to miss for those wishing to drop their weapons,” Fai Yengo told those still carrying arms in the bushes,

He added that the DDR Centres of Buea, Bamenda and Meri are functioning normally and are open to receive any number of ex-fighters at any time.

“…we continue to call on all those misguided youth who are still in the bushes, who are still reluctant to come out, to forget about the past, the different misinformation, lies told them and seize the peace offer of the Head of State to become normal Cameroonians like the others,” Fai Yengo further appealed.

Others steadily dropping arms

The NDDR boss said the move by the four ex-fighters to drop their weapons to soldiers in Awing in order to join the Bamenda DDR is “a very good news” for the structure.

“’General’ Grand Pa took the bold step and came along with three of his friends,” he disclosed.

Aside ‘General’ Grand Pa and his fighters, the DDR Coordinator further revealed that eleven other fighters have dropped their arms in different locations in the region. “…we are looking for ways to bring them to the centre in Bamenda,” he said.

Sensitisation moves paying off

Fai Yengo attributed the steady surrendering of weapons by the separatist fighters to the robust sensitisation that has been rolled out by the NDDR in the three troubled regions.

“All these, I think, is because of the action, the sensitisation drive that is going on in the field,” he said, while also attributing the feat being recorded to the efforts of security forces and local authorities.

“This people who are surrendering is proof that the message of peace is going through, even if it is gradual,” optimistic Fai Yengo said.

He noted that at the moment, there are also sensitisation going on in the communities to be able to accept the ex-fighters when they are eventually reintegrated into the society.

Appeal for support in communities

Fai Yengo used the opportunity to once more appeal to all and sundry, particularly traditional, municipal and religious authorities as well as those of the civil society and all good citizens to join forces with the NDDR in the sensitisation drive to get the few remaining fighters from the bushes and ensure the “adventure which they undertook never repeats itself again in our country”.

He called on the population to forget what obtained at the early stage when the crisis escalated and help the NDDR tell the fighters still in the bushes in the various communities that the “way forward is for them to come back”.

“The population should tell them the truth and continue to the support the initiative of the Head of State,” Fai Yengo pleaded.

Appeal to ex-fighters, those still in bushes

Fai Yengo told those who have already dropped their weapons and joined the DDR Centres in Buea, Bamenda and Meri that they “made a very good choice”, but appealed on them to be “patient and follow the different measures that the state has put in place in order to make them come back as normal Cameroonians”.

To those still carrying arms in the bushes, the NDDR boss told them that it is time for them to drop their weapons, “forget about the past adventure”.

“…we think that it is not going to prosper, it is not going anywhere. I will tell them honestly that the earlier they come out, the better,” the NDDR boss stated, while pleading on them to listen the messages the centre sends out to them through their former peers who are now at the centres.

Reply to critics wanting closure of DDR centres

Fai Yengo was categorically clear to those calling for the closure of the NDDR that such a move can only come to fruition when the conflicts in the various regions must have ended.

“If we close the DDR centres now, what are we going to do with the children who are there? What are we going to do with those we want to come out of the bushes and particularly what are we going to do with the population?” Fai Yengo questioned rhetorically, while clearly stating that those still in the bushes are “a threat to the population”.

The NDDR boss further explained that with over 3,000 ex-fighters in the various centres, it will be more harmful releasing the ex-fighters especially as their peers are still in the bushes and also the population who have an axe to grind with the ex-combatants.

“The people who think the centres should be closed should rethink the situation,” he said, adding that the Head of State, who created the centres, did so out of care and love of not seeing youth who had been misled to pick up arms being killed in the process.

NDDR not diverting in its missions  

Fai Yengo also clarified that contrary to some recent media reports insinuating that the missions of the DDR have been diverted, the ex-fighters are rather used to fight crime waves.

“The young people at the DDR centres are Cameroonians and I think that if they put an effort to assist the security forces, to assist the population, then I don’t think they have diverted from their activity,” he explained.

Appraisal of the DDR three years on

The NDDR boss said three years after the structure was put in place by the Head of State, their efforts led to the surrounding of over 3,000 fighters in the three conflict-hit regions.

Fai Yengo reiterated that the different components of the structure working in synergy from steps taken to disarm ex-fighters upon arrival with the help of security officials added to income-generating skills and entrepreneurship trainings offered the ex-fighters to ease the reintegration phase of their NDDR mission.

He noted that aside trainings offered, the skills of the fighters are also being improved in other areas of trade where they had, prior to picking up arms, been into. 

Reintegration delaying due to ongoing conflicts

He explained that the third component of their mission, which is reintegration, is taking a little longer because the conflicts are still going on and the ex-fighters cannot be sent out at the moment when their friends are still in the bushes killing.

Fai Yengo also said steps to better the conditions of ex-fighters are also complete as the main structures erected to host them have been built in Bamenda and Buea while that of Mora is being completed.

This, he said, adds to other facilities including the creation of farms, possibilities to do fishing and livestock development and plans underway to set up health structures in the permanent sites.

Repentant ‘General’ Grand Pa says Amba struggle failed project

Meanwhile, speaking to CRTV reporters on Cameroon Calling, repentant separatist warlord, self-styled ‘General’ Grand Pa, said he and some of his fighters decided to surrender after realising that they were ignorant and misled to have taken up arms against the state.

“What we were doing was out of ignorance. We thought it was something good but after sometime, we realised it was something that can affect our lives. That is why we decided to drop our arms,” he said.

The separatist kingpin, who operated in Awing in Santa Subdivision, said the decision to surrender was also motivated by the fact that the Ambazonia independence struggle is already a failed project.

“All the tyres of the vehicles we were driving to Buea have been punctured except two and if the two get punctured, it means all of us have become losers,” Grand Pa said.

The repentant separatist advised his peers still in the bushes to borrow a leaf from him and have a rethink of their lives by dropping their arms and joining the DDR centres.

“…life doesn’t have a second part…this is the time for us to take our individual decisions for our lives. We have lost many souls and we don’t know where the fight is going,” he cautioned those in the bushes, while regretting the fact that most of them were duped into fighting while others were collecting huge sums and enjoying their lives elsewhere.

He declared that there are many fighters carrying guns without actually knowing the reason they are holding arms, added to those who were already bandits before the escalation of the crisis to an armed conflict.

Feeling comfortable being at DDR

The repentant Amba commander told CRTV reporters that he was warmly welcomed at the Bamenda DDR and he feels so comfortable being there.

He expressed delight with the advice given him and others on a daily basis by the Bamenda DDR Coordinator, Kum Henry.

No more Amba in Awing

The ex-Amba kingpin said he had close to 22 fighters under his command, many of whom have died and the others have surrendered with him and joined the DDR.

Quizzed if there are still fighters in Awing, ‘General’ Grand Pa said the village is now free of Amba fighters.

“The rest who were stubborn have gone to other areas,” he stated, while recounting the story of his rise to prominence within the separatist militia.

“When your colleagues see the way you are working, they can decide to promote you. The rank is added by big fighters and ‘Generals’ who had been ahead,” he explained, adding that but for the fame, the position of ‘General’ had no extra benefits.  

The ex-separatist fighter revealed that he chose the nickname Grand Pa in the course of the struggle due his love for peace.

“Grand Pa was like someone who needed peace since grandparents are usually peace-lovers. When there is a problem in the family and a grandfather steps in, the problem is resolved. That is why I chose the name Grand Pa, because it is a name for peace,” the repentant combatant explained.