All Hands On Deck!

Effective disarmament cannot be achieved by a single institution. It is a highly complex process that warrants collaboration amongst various stakeholders for peace and security to be guaranteed in society. The National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Com­ mittee (NDDRC) which was created through a Presidential decree on November 30, 2018, carries out its activities in collaboration with other partners, mostly civil society actors, traditional rulers and community leaders. This is because managing and supervising the elimination of weapons in a community is a delicate exercise that requires a unified approach. The Committee is headquartered in Yaounde with regional offices in Buea, Mora and Bamenda. However, its partners like traditional and community leaders are those closer to the people. They can easily talk to the youths and encourage them into dropping their arms and joining the disarmament centers. From observation and explanations given by authorities, collaboration amongst stakeholders builds mutual trust, reduces fear and prevents accidental military ...