By SA'AH SIONA IKEI
The National Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Committee (NDDR) in Cameroon recently played host to a delegation from Colombia, as part of an initiative aimed at fostering global peace. The Colombian delegation shared their valuable experiences in conflict resolution with select African countries, in an event organized by the Presidential Agency for Cooperation, APC Colombia, under the leadership of Director General Eleonora Betancur Gonzalez. The program, conducted in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), sought to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices in sustainable peacebuilding.
Fai Yengo Francis, the National Coordinator of the NDDR, emphasized the significance of the South-South Cooperation Program for Peacebuilding: Colombia to the World, as a crucial step towards fostering global peace and cooperation. He expressed satisfaction with the cooperation, stating, "Before going to Colombia, we were told that it was a success story in matters of DDR, peacebuilding, cohabitation, and so on. We found this to be very true when we went there because these people have gone through over 50 years of experience... We expect that the relations with the DDR will intensify, that the relations between Colombia and Cameroon will be developed, and that these exchanges and experiences would extend to other countries that are not here today."
Chaired by Chinmoun Oumar, the Secretary General at the Ministry of External Relations, the event brought together representatives from partner countries to share knowledge and discuss ways to enhance peacebuilding efforts, with a particular focus on Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) processes. The participating countries, including Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and the Philippines, expressed their interest in understanding Colombia's institutional framework for sustainable peace processes. They believed that by leveraging Colombia's success in conflict resolution, they could strengthen their own institutional capacities and promote positive changes within their affected communities.
The working session dedicated to DDR processes was a key highlight of the event, where participants shared valuable insights and best practices. The exchange of knowledge aimed to enhance the effectiveness of disarmament initiatives, demobilization efforts, and the successful reintegration of former combatants into society.
During the technical workshop, participants engaged in discussions on implementing cooperation programs tailored to the unique needs of African countries. The exchange of good practices and community experiences in peace consolidation played a crucial role in the dialogue, as delegates explored strategies to adapt and implement Colombia's successful peacebuilding model within their respective nations.
The launch event showcased the partner countries' commitment to addressing the complexities of conflicts and promoting peace on a broader scale, according to the representative of the Coordinator of the United Nations Systems. She believes that through this program, Colombia not only shares its experiences but also demonstrates the power of collaborative efforts in overcoming shared challenges and building a more peaceful world. Observers have welcomed the event as exemplary for South-South cooperation and sustainable peace.
By Sa'ah Siona Ikei,
Creative Storyteller.
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