The Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA) Releases an Important Study on Youth Perceptions and Engagement in the Resolution of the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon

Bamenda, 25 September 2023 – The Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA) is pleased to announce the release of a comprehensive study titled “Youth Perceptions and Levels of Engagement in the Resolution of the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon.” This useful exercise provides invaluable insights into the minds, an examines the opinions, concerns, levels of engagement and barriers to positive contribution by young people in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon towards this conflict.

The cross-sectional study, conducted over eight months with the support of stakeholders and financial support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), represents a significant effort to understand the complexities of the Anglophone crisis from the viewpoint of the youth demographic, which constitutes over 65-70% of Cameroon’s population. The research involved careful sampling, survey administration, and gathered responses from an overwhelmingly representative sample of over 875 participants, surpassing the statistically recommended sample size of 385.

Key Highlights of the Study:

1. Youth Perspectives: The study delves into the perceptions of young Cameroonians regarding the root causes of the Anglophone crisis. Overwhelmingly, participants identified political factors as the primary cause, alongside historical, cultural, and personal aspects. Their narratives humanize the harsh realities they have faced, emphasizing the need for genuine, honest, sincere, and inclusive dialogue as the solution to the crisis. The majority denounced violence as a means of resolving the conflict and yet emphasized that the conflict should end now.
2. Youth Engagement: The report offers a comprehensive overview of the level of youth engagement in various peace-building initiatives and the challenges they face. While some youth actively participate, others remain silent, citing reasons such as safety concerns and a lack of necessary skills, including advocacy, conflict resolution, and effective communication, that can help them to positively contribute.  The study underscores the importance of equipping youth with the skills and knowledge needed for constructive engagement in peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts and indicates the need for access to reliable information via regular reliable updates and their safety.
3. Role of Different Stakeholders: The report indicates that majority of the youths have a neutral feeling towards the role of the government. Majority also indicate that the government has not at all succeeded to solve the problem, and needs to do more, to achieve this end. Meanwhile, youths also believe that the media should play a positive role in the conflict resolution. For themselves, youths believe that they play a significant role in ending the conflict, that an end to the conflict is possible in their life times and yet, indicate that their voices are not being heard. Majority of the youths hold an affirmative view on the role of external stakeholders, that is, the international community in resolving the conflict.
4. Recommendations: Based on youth perspectives, the study presents specific recommendations for ending the conflict and enhancing meaningful youth participation and empowerment in conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes. These recommendations align with the urgent need to secure a brighter future and avoid negative themes that hinder progress for the youths.

RADA’s Commitment to Peace and Development:

RADA, as an organization committed to supporting community development in the domains of health, education, agriculture, technology and peacebuilding, has been dedicated to supporting the government’s community development efforts since 2017. This study underscores our commitment to assisting the government and relevant stakeholders in strategically addressing the challenges facing our nation, particularly the youth population and hampering the continuous enjoyment of growth and development in the regions.

Call to Action:

RADA invites all stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, international partners, and the general public, to consider the findings and recommendations outlined in this report as a valuable resource in the pursuit of sustainable peace and development in Cameroon. We welcome opportunities for dialogue and collaboration to transform these insights into concrete actions that benefit our youth and our nation as a whole.

A copy of the full report is available for download https://rb.gy/xt6k9

For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact:

Mr. Ferdinant M. Soyuy,

President/CEO, RADA

About RADA:

The Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA) is a non-governmental association, committed to promoting community development, peacebuilding, and social welfare in Cameroon. With a focus on empowering youth and addressing critical issues that affect youths, children, underprivileged, and people with disability in the domains of health, education, agriculture, peacebuilding and technology, RADA strives to contribute to a brighter future for all Cameroonians where individuals live harmoniously and peacefully, harnessing their full potential to support inclusive sustainable development, growth, prosperity, health and well-being for all.

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• Facebook: @recdeva; Twitter (X); @RecdefCameroon Website: www.recdev.org

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