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Way-In Nkwen, Bamenda, Cameroon

RADA Launches Newest Initiative: Strengthening Civic Space in Cameroon through FESECSA Advocacy.

The Reconciliation and Development Association- RADA’s Peace Department through its Protection and Access to Justice Program has launched a new initiative titled “Strengthening Civic Space in Cameroon through FESECSA Advocacy.”

What is FESECSA? It is the Draft National Framework for Structured and Protected Engagement between the State of Cameroon and Civil Society Organizations.

This is a Crisis Response Fund (CRF) Project implemented by the Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA) with technical and financial support from CIVICUS and will be implemented for over a duration of four months (April-August, 2026). This is an Advocacy and Resiliency project aimed at developing and advocating for a national framework (FESECSA) that enables effective collaboration between the State and Civil Society in Cameroon.

Specifically, this project seeks to;

  • Develop a FESECSA framework
  •  Strengthen Civil Society Organizations coordination and collaboration
  • Advocate for policy change
  • Restore access to funding for Civil Society Organizations
  • Improve state-Civil Society Organizations relations 

The key stakeholders for this project initiative will include; Ministry of Territorial Administration (MINAT), Regional Assemblies, Civil Society Organizations, and the General Public.

At the end of the implementation phase, we expect this initiative to have;

  • Improved civic space
  • Increased Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) legitimacy
  •  Strengthened policy engagement
  • Increases access to funding restored
  • Built stronger Civil Society Organizations networks

Stay tuned and join us as we enhance Protection and Access to Justice via this initiative.

By: RADA Communication Team

A Brush with Injustice: My Journey from Brutality to Peace Advocacy

My name is AKEMETCHA FORBUH CHARLES, I am a young advocate for Peace and this is my story. The year is 2020, just a few months after my return from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The day is very bright with the rays of the morning Sun little was I aware that the day would be challenging for me. I am following up with my appointments for the day Just Like any other routine day, and on my way to run some errands for myself, the police patrol is driving and they pass me by just behind the University of Buea around a place known as Bulu Blind Centre from Sand Pit, Great Soppo. The patrol car immediately stops after going a few meters ahead, I do not bother much because it is of their duty to stop and check for identification documents. The police officer asks for my national identity card and I hand it over without any hesitation, but it is not given back to me. They go further to check my bag and find nothing incriminating inside the bag.

 They ask me to take off my shirt and proceed to scratch my back vigorously, this is followed by another round of questioning by an OFFICER, who says “Where are you heading to? In my response I say I have a few errands to run around mile 16. After some back and forth between themselves in the French language which I have little mastery of, the Commissioner tells me to climb into the back of the Van, I explain to him that I am a Law student at the University of Buea and that it is illegal to detain me without charges. This irritates him, so he gives orders for me to be beaten and put at the back of the van forcefully. Here I was with bruises on my face and a swollen ankle with pains all over my body.

It does not end here; he still insists that I follow them to the station and explain myself meanwhile there is nothing for me to explain. I am greatly hurt and in pain and as soon as the van starts moving, I ask one of the Junior officers whom we are sitting at the back to use my phone because it is my right. Fortunately for me, he says yes and I put a call through to a friend for help, after getting the facts of the story, he tells me to hold on for some time so he could table the matter before the Commissioner of Tiko who is an acquaintance. The Commissioner of Tiko immediately intervenes and calls his Colleagues in Buea for my release. After verification of my Identity once again, I am asked to go home even though I had injuries.  I head to the hospital to treat myself but at my own expense because I’m trying to avoid further escalation.

I am thinking about the many Human Rights Violations, Ab use, Torture, Disappearances, Rape, Burning and Looting carried out by both parties. It is my wish to see the government engage in a peaceful mediated dialogue without pre-conditions and I want to be part of that history. Peace is Possible

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Article on the World Day against trafficking in persons

Article on the World Day against trafficking in persons.

Human trafficking is a growing phenomenon in the world today and Cameroon in particular despite the measures being put in place to combat this ill. Human trafficking is the illegal transport and recruitment, of individuals by force or deception for the purpose of labor, sexual exploitation, or activities in which others benefit financially. The root causes of human trafficking are many and often vary from one country to another. Trafficking is influenced by social, economic, cultural and other factors (www.unodc.org/humantrafficking, accessed on 7/2/2021).

 

Having over 23% of the global trafficking in persons, Africa alone occupies nearly a quarter of the total number of victims of human trafficking in the world (https://borgenproject.org/human-trafficking-in-africa, accessed on 6/22/21). Though with two extremes, human trafficking issues often revolve around three variables—the demand for cheap labor and exploitation on one hand, and the willingness to meet basic economic needs for survival on the other (www.intechopen.com/books/modern-slavery-and-human-trafficking, accessed on 6/29/21). Victims of human trafficking mostly fall among the minority population. They consist of mostly children and women however not living out men, who may be deceived of better opportunities to uplift their standard of living. In extreme cases, victims of human trafficking might be purchased or kidnapped.

With Cameroon falling under the Tier 2 Watch List, is indicative of the fact that Cameroon still has a long way to go in combating trafficking in persons as it does not meet the minimum standard for the elimination of trafficking, though its making efforts to do so (www.state.gov/reports/2020-trafficking-in-persons-report/cameroon/, accessed on 7/2/21). Over the years Cameroon has witnessed a lot of socio-political as well as economic difficulties. The ongoing conflict in the North West and South West regions and the prevalence of the terrorist boko haram attacks in the Far-North regions help to facilitate the exposure of the inhabitance in this regions to human trafficking. Noting that the major causes of human trafficking is poverty, unemployment, political instability, militarism, civil unrest, internal armed conflict and natural disasters (www.unodc.org/humantrafficking, accessed on 7/2/2021), Cameroon facing all of these points, is only indicative of the fact that, human trafficking is increasing by the day. Men die on regular bases especially in the conflict zones living women and children behind, thereby causing the separation and displacement of families (as IDPs within the country and refugees in other countries). This mostly leave women and children at risk of trafficking. In a five facts about human trafficking in Cameroon by The Borgen Project, trafficking in children and the lack of funding remains an issue (https://borgenproject.org/5-facts-about-human-trafficking-in-cameroon, accessed on 6/23/21). This further only puts Cameroon and mostly the conflict region of child trafficking and sex trafficking.

The root causes of human trafficking are many and often vary from one country to another. Trafficking is influenced by social, economic, cultural and other factors (www.unodc.org/humantrafficking, accessed on 7/2/2021).

“Victim’s Voices Lead the Way” is the team for the commemoration of this year’s event on world’s day against trafficking in persons. This only indicates that survivors are key actors in fighting against human trafficking. They play a major role in establishing measures to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of this crime, as well as identify and rescue other victims (https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/endht/index.html, accessed on July 27, 2021). This implies, every survivor should be given a listening ear and their opinions taken into consideration, in trying to bring a solution to end this crime. Survivors rather still remain at risk and are being prosecuted for offences they were forced to execute by their trafficker, which should not be the case.

The call then is for all stakeholders fighting against this crime and those protecting survivors, to give all survivors a listening ear and include them in discussions aimed at tackling this ill. More attention should be paid to conflict zones and security personnel should be more vigilant in identifying and rescuing these victims from trafficking. The local population should report any suspicious move towards human trafficking in their neighborhoods. In supporting victims, humanitarian workers as well as charity centers should focus on the victim and his/her needs, give them quality support to the best of your abilities. Let victim’s voices lead the way from now henceforth in the fight against human trafficking.

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THE RIGHT TO THE TRUTH CONCERNING GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND DIGNITY OF VICTIMS

Gross
Human Rights violations are still recurrent despite the various Human Rights
instruments to regulate and protect Human Rights. Gross Human Rights violations
refer to the acts or violations that threaten a human being’s very existence.
Some examples of such breaches include genocide, murder, torture, unfair
trials, extrajudicial killings, to name a few.

I
was pleased to see an International Day to the Truth Concerning Gross Human
Rights violations and victims’ dignity. There is no better day and no better
way to talk about the truth concerning gross human rights violations and
victims’ dignity than today. It is commemorated annually in Archbishop Oscar
Arbulfo Romero’s memory, who was assassinated on March 24th, 1980, after
denouncing human rights violations. This date honors the victims of Human
Rights violations, pays tribute to those who have devoted their lives to and
lost their lives in the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all. 

It
is also important to honor the memory of victims of such violations by giving
the truth concerning their death. The parties who grossly violate such
fundamental rights should be held accountable for the offenses and brought
before the justice system, and prosecuted accordingly. The right to the truth
concerning such violations implies knowing the whole and complete truth about
the events that transpired, their specific circumstances, and who participated
in them. 

It
is enough pain that a family or community loses a relative or citizen due to
torture, extrajudicial killing, or genocide. Lies concerning their death or
circumstances leading to their death only add salt to the wound. Therefore, it
is crucial to speak the truth concerning these violations, provide victims with
effective remedies, and restore their dignity. Many individuals residing in a
conflict zone, such as in Cameroon’s Anglophone region, experience these
violations, and the truth is most often than not concealed.

“Having experienced such a scenario with the abduction and murder of a younger brother termed “a terrorist” without prior inquiry or fair trial, my family remains in pain when the truth keeps being concealed”- “The report of him being in the “ADF,” whereas he was an apprentice carpenter and was not given a chance to express himself and yet, tortured before being shot, remains a painful pill to swallow to date.” Says the sister of a victim. In this case, we see, therefore, that the ridicule has not brought dignity to his memory, and justice is yet to be served. It is vital to give accurate reports and justice to the victims, even if it’s just for the sake of their memory.

As we commemorate this day, let us protect human rights defenders in Cameroon, and the world, protect those who seek the truth and pay homage to all those who lost their lives to these violations or as a result of defending such rights. This way, we can grow our countries.

Let us give dignity even to the lost souls’ memories by speaking the truth concerning their death and bringing perpetrators to justice.

*This
article was written by Nange Hezelle and Edited by Ntam Damaris and Ferdinant
M. Sonyuy. * Subscribe to our newsletter here to receive like articles;  

IMPORTANT Advisory Note: Travelers in the English Speaking Regions of Cameroon

ALL TRAVELING TO BAMENDA, AND THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST IN GENERAL ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING:

  1. For your own good, whenever law enforcement agents ( whether in uniform or not) stop a vehicle you boarded, stay calm, avoid hissing and grumbling. Whether you are a man or a woman,
    respect them.
  2. Please take the receipts of your electronic equipment, laptop or other bulk gadgets (original or photocopy), anywhere you go if you must carry them.
  3. If you don’t have means of identification from your school or workplace, get at least a national ID card or driver’s license. It is crucial. your professional Badge may also help u at the military control. But be careful with it at the other type of control. U know u know.
  4. Delete all your bank alerts, and transfer sensitive information into a flash drive or memory card. Keep your financial transactions away from your phone.
  5. Carrying more than one ATM card may bring serious problem for you in our present-day Northwest especially with the other type of control: be warned !!!
  6. If you must move at night no matter how close to your house, take your ID card and let someone go with you.
  7. Dress responsibly – it will save you. Looking rugged and wild may earn you serious trouble. Take care of your hairstyle.
  8. If you are given a vehicle to go for an errand, make sure all documents are complete and up- to- date. Also, your driver’s licence must be complete before you hit the road.
  9. When your car is being searched, don’t just look away in anger ; they are doing their job. Just
    pay close attention to what’s going on, to avoid “had I known”.
  10. If you are not sure of what someone is carrying in a bag, pack, or sack, please ask politely before accepting to give the person a ride. You may be arrested for what you know nothing about.
  11. After any stranger you decide to give a lift comes down, move forward a little, park and search your vehicle very well before you continue so as to avoid harboring any incriminating objects left behind.
  12. It is mandatory necessary you don’t keep this message to yourself alone.

13) Be patient when traveling. Being in a haste may land you into serious problems. Where you find vehicles parked and are waiting, seek advise. You may not know the trap ahead

14) You will fine multiple controls from Matazem, Santa, welcome to Bamenda, Blue moon, mile one junction, Tradex etc before you enter town. Do not complain. They are working on instructions. You will be asked to drop down and identify yourself. Your car will be searched at these spots. They will take all your time. But do not complain.

15) Be aware that there is operation Bamenda Clean involving all men in uniform and the population. Don’t be frightened in the quarter when u see a group of millitary.

16) Above all avoid certain talks because even those people you think you know them, you don’t really know them in details. Be vigilant and Stay safe.

This note was copied and modified from a circulated message. It is endorsed as an Advisory to those traveling in the NW/SW regions of Cameroon.

Thank you.

Singed:

Ferdinant M. SOnyuy
President, RADA.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS- 4 – Jan- 2020

About RADA:

The Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA) is a young organization that started in 2009 with a focus on youth development and became legalized in 2017.  From 2017 –  2019, we excelled in promoting youth productivity through seminars, workshops and summits, and with a Full time CEO in 2020, engaged fully into our mission to promote community development.

Our vision is driving sustainable solutions to community development by building bridges to sustainable solutions in the domains of health, education, agriculture, technology and peace.

RADA Volunteer Program (RAVOS):

Started in May 2020, with 7 volunteers, RADA has succeeded to continue supporting youths by building their capacity through volunteering opportunities. This second batch is looking for volunteers who can contribute their time, skills and knowledge to create a positive impact and be a significant force for promoting community development in our focus impact areas, as they also learn from our impact strategies.

Please see the different specific areas in which volunteers are needed below and a brief description of responsibilities, qualifications and other requirements.

AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES:

  1. Communications Offers (Journalism backgrounds are encouraged)
  2. Public Health experts /practitioners 
  3. Secretariat Duties
  4. Video/Photo Editing and/or Graphics Designing  
  5. Finance Experts
  6. Web Designing
  7. Food Sciences Volunteers
Details:
  1. Communication Related Roles: Managing RADA’s monthly Newsletter content, website Design and functionality and content maintenance, appropriate media, reports on  events, and manage social media content and posting with designed media graphics.

  2. Public Health Related Roles: Public Health Volunteers will assist in Public Health Awareness campaigns, and in the design, collection and entry of health data related data and reports as well as support Health related advocacy efforts in the domain of both infectious and non infectious diseases. N.B They Must have at least an MPH in epidemiology or other public health discipline, a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Promotion or other health related discipline such as nursing or Medical Laboratory Sciences OR have a Sciences University Bachelor Degree.

  3.  Secretariat Duties: These Volunteers will support/assist in performing secretariat duties. Should have at least an HND in Secretariat duties.

  4. Food Sciences:Volunteers in this domain will:

    –Support Geological Agricultural initiatives
    -Support a City Food systems Collaborative initiative
    -Technically Assist Farmers in production of healthy organic fresh produce

    N.B     Food processing, Crop production, Agricultural engineers and Environmental Engineers are desirable.- Support awareness on healthy feeding practices. They will also support:

    – Awareness on the negative impacts of unhealthy diets
    – Advocacy on healthy food procurement and access policies

Volunteer Benefits: The Following are some benefits to volunteering with RADA:

  1. A Certificate of Volunteerism: At the end of the Volunteering period, RADA will issue Certificates of Volunteering and a Letter of Recommendation based on the work of the Volunteer
  2. Hard Skills building while working: You will build your hard skills in the area of volunteering interest.
  3. Soft Skills building: You will learn how to work in an organization, and better prepare yourself for employability
  4. Employability: For those who need employment, you will increase your employability with RADA or other organizations through RADA’s internal capacity building initiatives.
  5. Meaningful engagement: We are pleased to invite people to join in doing some meaningful work for the community during their period of volunteering. Thereby being part of an impact that is being created in the community.

General Requirements: All applicants must meet the following criteria.

  1. Be 18 years and older
  2. Holder of a university degree or a relevant Technical Diploma
  3. Complete and submit the online application form using the link provided below, specifying the role you wish to volunteer in
  4. Work experience is not a requirement
  5. Good working knowledge of English language (French is an added advantage).
  6. Commitment to the internal policies and regulations of RADA as well as to the values and principles of volunteerism.
  7. Commitment and willingness to work with people in teams as well as in the community and to respect the values of humanitarian work.

Duration: Volunteers MUST chose to volunteer for a minimum of three (3) Months to a maximum of Six (6) Months.

Deadline: The deadline for Applications is Septemeber  30, 2020.

Selection: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview on the first week of October. They shall be expected to come along with Copies of their Credentials and a National ID Card.

Successful applicants will be invited to begin their service by the second week of October 2020.

NOTE:  This is an unpaid volunteering Call. The Volunteering positions are all based in Bamenda, NWR, Cameroon.

RADA shall not be responsible for lodging of volunteers.

 

Click here to Apply

For any inquiries, please email info@localhost or whatsApp +237674733730