Members of the Civil Society for Peace (CSP) in Cameroon have held their annual meeting in Kribi, Ocean Division in the South Region of Cameroon. During the opening which was led by Rev Dr Mbende Ngando Paul, Secretary General of the Council of Protestant Churches of Cameroon (CEPCA) and Njoya Hassan, participants were urged to strive for peace and be the little candle of light that brings hope in darkness. Reflecting on Psalm 133, on the theme « Together, Let’s walk and abide under the guardianship of our God », the Rev Ngando challenged participants to walk in hope, unity, and resilience, in their efforts to bring peace in Cameroon. He emphasized that even a flickering light can give hope in darkness. The participants were led into observing a minute of silence in memory of the 7 students who lost their lives in an attack by armed men at the Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in kumba.
Under the coordination of Florentine Nekdem Fandio, the participants within two days were guided to reflect on the context analysis of their different regions/ actor mapping, challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, how to do Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation with Bread for the World (partners), amongst others.
The Bread for the World partners, who participated online, adviced participants to adopt hollistic approaches that look at all components of society, use local/cultural societies for mediation, with focus on intercommunity dialogue. An accent was placed on youth unemployment, with orientation on involving youths in activities that we help them solve their problems by themselves.
The 3 day conclave ended on Thursday November 5th 2020, with a word of prayer from Rev Nta Williams, the Coordinator of the PCC Peace Office. Over 35 participants from 20 civil society organizations working in the domain of peace were present, and new two organisation were admitted into CSP Cameroon.