BOKO HARAM IS A DARK CLOUD-----U.S EMBASSY CAMEROON JEAN MARIE NGONG SONG
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| DCM AMERICAN EMBASSY CAMEROON |
The deputy chief of missions (DCM) at the American embassy in Cameroon has described the Bokoharam insurgency in Cameroon as a dark cloud that will soon be frustrated by the Cameroonian youths and civil society organizations through youth awareness and continual education. He made the statement in Bamenda Friday September 11 at MINEPAT hall up station bamenda during the opening ceremony of a two day national workshop on peace and security organised by the Hope For the Needy Association (HOFNA Cameroon) that brought together youth leaders from across the country.
Opening the
two day workshop, the Governor of the northwest region, LELE L’AFRIQUE reminded
the youth leaders that the fight against Bokoharam in Cameroon is a collective
venture of Cameroon government, civil society organisations like HOFNA Cameroon,
and welcomed the support and participation of the US Embassy.”I appreciate
greatly the shared vision of peace and economic security between the two
nations and the inclusion of the youths in this fight, they are the pivotal in
peace and national security as they are exposed to the social media where the
cultivation of unfounded rumours to stir radicalisation are spread” adding that
to ensure peace and security in the region youths should denounce all suspects
and share information with security experts. For the first time ever, protocol
was by passed by the North West governor to be grilled by the national youth at
the workshop.
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| CHRISTELLE BAY C--DIRECTOR HOFNA |
On her part,
the Director of HOFNA Cameroon Christelle Bay Chongwain in her opening address
while appreciating the US Embassy for funding the programme and effectively
participating in the event situated the workshop as a pearl in reinstating and
instilling the most valued peace needed for the growth of the country.”The said
unfortunate insecurity often perpetuated by n usually unidentified individual’s
calls for unity, determination, patriotism and collective efforts.
Multicultural dialogue represents and ideal approach and response as it calls
for all to continue in engaging in meaningful exchanges in the face of
differences in religion, political, social and gender related” she equally
invited all to rise and observe a minute of silence for all the souls lost so
far in the fight against Bokoharam.
Justifying
the theme of the national workshop, “enhancing multicultural dialogue for peace
and security in Cameroon”, HOFNA director, Christelle Bay Chongwain said HOFNA
believes the peace and security in the country is the main ingredient for
economic growth stability and social change and that despite social, biological
and religious differences, engaging in meaning exchanges, Cameroon will become
a better place void of insecurity.
Quizzed on
why the interest of the United States in empowering civil society organisations
like HOFNA Cameroon in combating terrorism, the DCM at the US Embassy said its
out of experience.”After the September 9/11, Fotokol, Maroua and Kerawa, it’s
Cameroons September 9/11 moment. We are together in the fight to counter
violence, terrorism and extremism n this country. Bokoharam is just a dark
cloud and we will make it to go away. Cameroon is filled with bright light and
the civil society is the light, they will bring out the sun again and the
United States wants to partner with patriotic civil society organisations like
HOFNA in this fight” he intimated.
Oumarou
Bouba like Rabiatu Ahmadu, a participant at the workshop from the far north
region at the close of the workshop says
he is taking back home a lot “I have learned not to propagate information
without investigation, the need for young people to canalise their potentials,
work hard to be positive activist. We have great potentials that can change
Cameroon and that our cultural ad religious diversity should instead be
separated and not a source of disunity”. On the situation on the ground in the
Far North region, they said they are in a metaphorical prison as they are
living on permanent alertness” you don’t know when they will attack, who is
involved, what tool they will use and where they will attack. we are scared to
go to the market and to socialise. all activities are completely grounded at
8pm”
At the close
of the two day national workshop on peace and security in Bamenda, the 200
participants came up with strong resolutions that will be forwarded to the
government. A peace tour will take place in the University of Maroua soon
organised still by HOFNA Cmeroon. It will include a seminar with 300 youths in
Maroua, featuring thee projection of an animated film to portray the importance
of peace, solidarity and security for individual and national growth, a panel
discussion on the role f the youth in promoting peace and security, religious
tolerance, intercultural dialogue and a solidarity march along the streets of
Maroua in support of the joint forces and the Cameroon Army.
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| NW GOVERNOR |
Organised
with the theme” enhancing multicultural dialogue for peace and security in
Cameroon” the two day work shop in Bamenda
brought together 200 youth leaders from across the Cameroon to be schooled on
the necessity of fast tracking peace, be peace ambassadors back in their
respective regions and civil society organisations in the Ten regions of
Cameroon. The Bamenda peace outing addressed issues like inter religious and intercultural
Dialogue for peace and security in Cameroon, women as main actors in enhancing
socio economic development and security, the role of Cameroon government and
international bodies in countering violent extremism, responsible behaviour and
measures to enhance peace and security
in Cameroon, responsible youth
participation, youth buoyancy and
development in a multicultural setting and the role of the youth in
countering violence and extremism.
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| OFFICIALS POSE WITH PARTICIPANTS AT THE SEMINAR |
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| HOFNA DIRECTOR DECORATES NW GOVERNOR,MAKES AMBASSADOR OF PEACE |
As the Governor rightly puts it in his speech youths "are exposed to the social media where the cultivation of unfounded rumors to stir radicalization are spread”. One of the lies that would certainly spread radicalization is fond right in the perception of violence and terrorism by HOFNA: an attempt to link the activities of Boko Haram and similar groups to "cultural differences". May I ask whose culture on this earth is depicted by the activities of Boko Haram?
ReplyDeleteClearly the main cultural difference that is a potential threat to peace and that needs to be addressed urgently, is the perception by some that Boko Haram is a child born of cultural differences. What culture is Boko Haram and what differing cultures is it antagonistic to? Can we analyze the victims of Boko Haram into cultural groups to better answer this question?
I think all efforts by whoever to eradicate Boko haram and all forms of violence should be welcome and supported but this should be carefully coordinated by the administration to avoid dangerous and potentially divisive orientations such as attempts to attribute the heinous crimes of boko haram to cultural differences which ridicules the joint efforts of all patriotic citizens in fighting the menace.