Human Rights Commission: Prays Disarmament Be Done In Spirit of Reconciliation

The Chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms, Dr Chemuta Divine Banda says the National Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration of ex-Boko Haram fighters and of separatist fighters in the North West and South West Regions who are willing to lay down their arms should be done in the spirit of reconciliation. While calling for cooperation, he said, “Reconciliation will be seen when those who obey the call and come back are treated properly, protected and not harassed.”

Dr Chemuta Divine Banda was speaking during the opening ceremony of the 25th ordinary session of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms that took place in Yaounde on December 7, 2018. He used the occasion to express the concerns of the Commission that include the return to normalcy, especially in the restive North West and South West Regions, progressive decentralization and the fight against corruption, effective execution of infrastructure projects that will provide water, energy and transport facilities to the population. Other concerns, he said, were the promotion and protection of human rights, prevention of torture, as well as the peaceful approach to solutions for problems that emerge in the society and that is why the Commission has always preached dialogue, Dr Banda said.

The session was also dedicated to the budget of the Commission for the 2019 financial year. Dr Banda disclosed that the budget as voted by Parliament stood at FCFA 1.2 billion and specified that FCFA 250 million is for investment, while FCFA 950 million was the recurrent b...