Cameroon Peace Forum

Saturday July 5, 2008

A Brief Report

Cameroon and it’s people are at a crossroads.  This was the dominant sentiment expressed at the first Ambassadors for Peace Forum convened in Washington DC under the theme “Cameroon: Celebrating Diversity and Transcending Tribalism” on Saturday July 5^th, 2008.

The sponsors of the forum – the Universal Peace Federation (USA) and Jamii Africa  - sought to engage Diaspora Cameroonians resident in the area in a process of dialogue on matters affecting their homeland.   The sponsors’ intentions were to give all shades of opinion a place.  Regrettably, although they were invited, representatives of the Cameroonian Embassy in Washington DC did not participate.

Speaking for the sponsors,  Mr. Joseph Wakaria explained that the debate was to be conducted within the framework of Ambassadors for Peace Principals.  Jamii Africa has found these principles to be useful in creating an enabling environment for for Africa's progress.  The Ambassadors for Peace principles call for affirmation of universal tenets that make the “common ground” for peacemakers to break down traditional barriers, of tribe, race, nationality and religion and focus on development.  They include:

·         Affirmation of a common Creator as the basis of viewing all people in all circumstances as brothers and sister;

·         Recognition of life as transcendent of the physical plane, thus creating consequences for earthly conduct;

·         Affirmation of the centrality of marriage and family as the building blocks of peace in societies and nations; and a recognition that parents play a primary role in conveying attitudes and prejudices to children.

·         A call for lifestyles of  service as a complement to the golden rule; and

·         Affirmation of dialogue and non-violence as the only acceptable path to peace and reconciliation.

The forum moderator, Father Adrian Bayo, who is Pastor of the International Family Church of Richmond, Virginia, spoke to the effects of globalization, where the world is now interconnected.  Therefore what was happening in Cameroon could affect others around the world.

Two Nationalities

While framing the debate, Chief Alexander Taku -  who is an Ambassador for Peace and traditional ruler of Begah village - lamented that the time available in the forum was inadequate for detailed deliberation on the many issues affecting the Cameroon.

Chief Taku traced the recent history of Cameroon since independence in 1960.  He noted the genesis of serious political and social tensions in 1972 when the federal system was abrogated, in effect “swallowing” the Southern Cameroons against the wishes of citizens of the south. 

Chief Taku criticized the systematic exclusion of English speaking Cameroonians in public affairs, including the appointment to diplomatic missions in English speaking countries.  He saw the Cameroonian problem as a dispute between two nationalities; the Southern Cameroons, and the République du Cameroun.  He concluded by calling for dialogue in the spirit of Ambassadors for Peace between the leaders of these two blocks to find a mutually acceptable end to the historical dispute.

Human rights issues were highlighted by Franca Nzouzekang, a well known Cameroonian human rights defender.  Franca is a founding member of the Human Rights Defense Group of Cameroon.  She distinguished “peace” from the absence of violent conflict.  In her view, there was need for genuine harmony before peace could be established.  Franca decried the demise of the “spirit” of the nation of Cameroon due to a pervasive sadness and hopelessness - a general lack of happiness - due to social and political events affecting the nation.

She noted that there were signs that current leaders were preparing a post-Biya dispensation through a non-democratic transition.  She held that international instruments on human rights gave, every Cameroonian a right to participate in the determination of who would be their leader, especially through democratic elections.

Tribal Rights

Dr. Laurence Bland, an Ambassador for Peace, highlighted the peculiarly common details in the histories of Southern Cameroons and of the United States – the 13 State that formed the Union vs. the 13 counties of Southern Cameroons; English colonists were ejected by both nations; the Southern Cameroons was still struggling to free herself of the French, whom the United States had freed herself of, he said. 

Dr. Bland is an international jurist and former Consul General of the Federal Republic of the Southern Cameroons.  Noting that Cameroon could learn from the experience of the US, and spoke forcefully for the preservation of tribal identities and tribal interests for collective bargaining for minority rights. 

Dr. Bland was passionate in criticizing the economic marginalization he saw in Southern Cameroon.   He proposed that Southern tribes would only gain their rights by affirming their tribal identities and negotiating with government from positions of strength.  He called for the unity of Africans and African Americans to share a common destiny in prosperity by each bringing their strengths to the other.

As is customary in events sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation, the forum ended with the recognition of community leaders who have been engaged in social action for change.  Five such individuals were appointed Ambassadors for Peace and commissioned to join the 80,000 leaders around the world united by the vision to bring dialogue, reconciliation and peace among all peoples of the world.  The convening parties agreed to continue this process of dialogue not only for Cameroon, but for other African countries that face similar circumstances.

Mr. Jacques Eone asks a question during the Q&A session

Newly commissioned Ambasadors for Peace