Friedrich Ebert Foundation Fuels CHAMEG's Peace Effort

The Friedrich  Ebert Foundation is currently supporting  leading Civil Society Think Tank, Changing Mentalities Empowering Groups, CHAMEG and The Network of Manyu women`s Associations -MOHWA, in a project which aims at contributing towards the return to peace in Manyu Division of the Southwest Region.

The project seeks create social cohesion and peaceful co- habitation among the different tribes living in villages.

According to Her Highness Dr. Mrs. Meg Agbor, team lead of the project and CHAMEG Chief Executive Officer, the project activities will involve a solidarity street dance for peace.

Other activities envisaged in the project includes, Face to face Peace discussions with the State and Non State armed groups (Distribution of the Ethical Peace Pact Flyers too), visits and distribution of at least 1,000 Women`s Ethical Peace Pact flyers in schools in Manyu division, rural communities, Churches and meeting groups.

The project will also be organizing skills strengthening workshop on Peace Mediation for community leaders using the Asset Based Citizen-Led methodology.

She said there is also a component of giving Economic support to very vulnerable households and Returnees.

It is the hope of the organizers that at the end, there will be an elimination of  the constant luck down of roads and stores in villages by the state and non-state armed groups.

“We hope to influence the opening up of closed down schools in the villages and to lobby for our children to be allowed to go to school and also aspire to obtain the protection  and support for  women to be allowed to go to their farms to carry out their farming activities.” Meg told The Advocate

She added that it is also their hope to instill mediation and reconciliation skills in the community leaders for better management of their populations.

It should be noted that in collaboration with CHAMEG Cameroon, MOHWA has been carrying out peace education and sensitization campaigns in Manyu division after the Yaounde Peace convention and the follow up session in Limbe.

Groups already touched include the Manyu Paramount chief and his councilors, the Catholic women association, the manyu administration, and a group of non-state armed groups around the Satoum Bridge leading to AKWAYA sub division.

They have evaluated with satisfaction that the various target groups appreciate the messages of the First ever organized Peace convention in Cameroon.

The accompanying Ethical Peace Pact signed at the Limbe meeting even encouraged them more to vulgarize the messages.

In addition, they have noticed considerable calm in rural communities.

According to Agbor Meg, since October 2021 an “unusual” desire of some members of the non-state armed groups to have chats with us concerning the return of our children to community schools in the villages rekindled our sensitization determination.

This sudden change in their hearts has also encouraged us to keep up the motherly conversations with them”

It is against this background that  the Chief Executive Officer of CHAMEG – Dr. Agbor Magdalene invited MOHWA to accompany CHAMEG  carry out a joint massive sensitization Campaign in Manyu division as activity for this year`s Women`s Day Celebration.

Madam Agbor Meg took time to thank the The Frederick Ebert Foundation for believing in her team and initiative.

She says for years now the role of the Foundation is supporting women peace work has been amazing and very encouraging.

After the Peace Dance that took place in Mamfe and other areas a few days ago, the team is planning for its first capacity and skills building workshop.