UNITY: A PARTICIPATORY APPROACH TO REINTEGRATION OF EX-COMBATANTS IN CAMEROON

Abstract

Peace is an essential aspect for sustainable development and emergence. This paper exposes on the concept of “participation” from development discourse, as a pivotal measure for reintegration of ex-combatants in Cameroon. With the participatory approach potential stakeholders provide narratives for peacebuilding, sustainable development implementing plan and social inclusion in the country. The paper equally identifies the constraints and enabling factors in taking a participatory approach, and the impact on stakeholders. Many ex-combatants don’t receive adequate or accurate information, on how they had been misled, and which programmes for such persons require the help of psychologists. Some constraints included, but are not limited to; short timescales for implementation, security concerns, and professional disparity. Participatory approach proves to be an essential framework for assessing reintegration programmes, and social inclusion.

Keywords– Participation, Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration

Introduction

African countries need to review the national security programmes, in oder to adapt to emerging conflicts in the continent. Cameroon is not exempted from the category of countries to adopt new strategy for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants to safeguard national unity and social inclusion. Reintegration of ex-combatants takes place in the community, and usually requires development and post-conflict reconstruction by the state. A participatory approach allows stakeholders of all fields to conceived proper integration plan and how it should be implemented.

In Cameroon, participation in the context of DDR is mark with several professional breach, which some pose issues relating to national security and inadequate knowledge of the role of psychologist in the rehabilitation of ex-combatants, before reintegration in to the different communities. However, Cameroon has adopted several programmes for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants as part of measures for “peacebuilding”.

Most programmes have specific objectives in order to support the peace process. Some of these programmes are related, but not limited to; security issues, stabilisation, and management of juveniles, to social and economic recovery. However, victimization is not exempt during such programmes. Thus human rights activists and other community base groups usually appeal for DDR programme which need to adapt to the present situation (Stockholm Initiative on DDR 2006: pp. 41–45; Integrated DDR Standards 2006).

Drawing from events in other African nations, the “second generation DDR”, is highly appreciated for a wider range of options, as the programmes is usually flexible and responsive to the local context and requires input from the communities involved (Specht 2010; Colletta and Muggah 2009; UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations 2010).

Moreover, the conceptualization and practice of DDR has evolved since the early 1990s, as it has been validated as a standard programme to be included in comprehensive peace agreements or peacebuilding. Critically, there is a perception that most programmes are usually a “cash for guns” deal. Nevertheless, DDR has become a sophisticated and multi-faceted operation, often involving a dozen or more agencies to develop mechanism for peace and social coercion in the country. In order to better appreciate the discourse, its necessary to have a clear definition of DDR.

The accepted definition of DDR within the UN system is:

• Disarmament is the collection, documentation, control and disposal of small arms, ammunition, explosives and light and heavy weapons of combatants and often also of the civilian population. Disarmament also includes the development of responsible arms management programmes.
• Demobilization is the formal and controlled discharge of active combatants from armed forces or other armed groups. The first stage of demobilization may extend from the processing of individual combatants in temporary centres to the massing of troops in camps designated for this purpose (cantonment sites, encampments, assembly areas or barracks). The second stage of demobilization encompasses the support package provided to the demobilized, which is called reinsertion. …
• Reintegration is the process by which ex-combatants acquire civilian status and gain sustainable employment and income. Reintegration is essentially a social and economic process with an open timeframe, primarily taking place in communities at the local level. It is part of the general development of a country and a national responsibility, and often necessitates long-term external assistance.

UN Secretary-General (2006a: p. 8) (in Kilroy W. 2012)

The context in which DDR is supposed to take place, when there is destruction of infrastructure, population movement, trauma, and loss of social capital, generally appealing to poor standard of living and to high risk of sexually transmitted diseases, because of prostitution and the quest for survival. Positive outcomes are usually challenging, as several factors will interact with other to provide both good and bad outcomes, not exempting disputes on whether any particular outcome is indeed “good” or “bad”.

In Cameroon, the ‘Major National Dialogue’ was organised in the quest for national unity and peace. Several other concerns led to the creation of ‘National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism’, the creation of a ‘Common Law Department’ at the National School of Administration and Magistracy, and the translation of OHADA for jurists, but all these are yet to appease the hearts of some Cameroonians. 

In order to better comprehend post-crisis reconstruction and recovery within community, is necessary to adopt a participatory approach for designing and implementing programmes. The term “participation” from a development context by Robert Chambers (1997; 1998), is the promotion by agencies committed to a partnership approach to development work through nationally-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs). For the success of such initiative, the intended beneficiaries of a development programme are genuinely involved in, consulted on, and make input to, the main stages of its planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation (1997;1998).

Support for both the children and the community is necessary in peacebuilding initiative, especially as benefits for ex-combatants (such as school books, fee and uniforms) could fuel resentment. Community Education and Investment Programme are essential, so that the school in the receiving community would also obtain didactic materials for the different schools in the community. This will help re-establish the solidarity and fraternity with the state, if most materials donation for support is requested by the community.

Generally, most implementing bodies are NGOs with experience and commitment to participatory methods, whose agenda are fixed for development and social coercion. One of the main advantages which these NGOs have, is an understanding of the context and culture of these communities, which is essential factor, if other stakeholders can engage with them for lasting peace.

Conclusion

Programmes which are usually adopted, when security and time pressures have subsided, seem to offer more scope for participation in time of conflict or crisis. One of the most essential aspect to retain is, where time is not a luxury, available to those designing a specific DDR programme, vocational training and structural planning in relation to participatory approach is very essential.

Finally, its necessary to understand that running a DDR programme involves many different agencies interests, capacities, and experience may differ. Socio-cultural interaction is relevant in adopting a programme for social inclusion. This requires “internal” participatory approach among planners and implementers for successful peacebuilding and unity.

However, one of the challenges of those working close to the intended beneficiaries of DDR programmes, is their proximity with statesmen in relation to reports and resource allocation. Without this, participatory approach by enlightened implementing NGOs will be constrained by the scope which they have been allowed or are willing to take.

References

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About the author

MR. SARON MESSEMBE OBIA is a security expert and consultant. Technical Adviser of Ready for Developmet (RfD), member and special adviser to Social Change and Establishment Center for Youths and Disabled Persons. A counter terrorism analyst of Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism (ITCT-UK), Member and Ambassador for African Continent of Global Socio-Economic and Financial Evolution Network (GSFEN). A researcher with Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS). Course instructor on Cyber Security for ASID- Academy of International Law-Cameroon, and Wilses Cyber Security Solutions-Zambia. He has been a consultant for Frontier Risk Solution-Somalia, a researcher with the Cyber Physical System Virtual-Organization (CPS-VO) and Assistant Editor and IACSP SEA Representative for Cameroon at International Association for Counter Terrorism and Security Professional South East Asia (IACSP SEA). He studied Criminology and Security Management (PGD) and Security Studies (MSc) at the Pan African Institute for Development West Africa (PAID-WA). He has authored scholarly articles on cyber security, counter terrorism, stadia security, money laundering and jihadists tendencies in Sub Saharan Africa and Europe, as well as books; ‘The Criminal Mind in the Age of Globalization’, and ‘Jihadist Tendencies in West Africa: Boko Haram’s Game – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’.

Tel: +237675994985

Email: sirmessembe@gmail.com

Berinyuy Cajetan, Publisher

Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.