South West: Grassroots Sensitization Ongoing

T he population of the South West Region spread in all the six ad­ ministrative divisions are en­ gaged to implement concrete actions in the field to end the protracted socio-political crisis rocking the North West and South West Regions. After the launching of the Community Dialogue initiative in Buea on September 28 by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute, during which he instructed the Senior Divisional Officers (SDO) to take the message to the va­ rious Divisions under the su­ pervision of the Governor of the South West Region, the inter community dialogue drive has been taken to the six ad­ ministrative units. Ndian, Le­ bialem, Kupe Muanenguba, Meme, Fako and Manyu have effectively launched commu­ nity dialogue in their respec­ tive Divisional headquarters. Chaired by their respective SDOs, administrative, munici­ pal, traditional and religious authorities as well as elite and civil society actors were all commissioned to champion the community dialogue at various levels. The launching has also gone right to the sub­ divisional levels as some areas notably Kumba I, Bangem, Di­ kome Balue and Ekondo-Titi subdivisions, have already en­ gaged stakeholders on com­ munity dialogue process. The population, separatists’ figh­ ters and other stakeholders have embarked on peace mis­ sion, as well as reintegration and economic empowerment strategies. As at now, various stakehol­ ders are involved in sensitizing the grassroots population, en­ treating young people still in the bushes to heed to the call of President Paul Biya and embrace his olive branch for peace. With the push from the administration, traditional ru­ lers, church leaders and other community frontrunners in the villages, are lobbying and ne­ gotiating with the remaining fighters to drop their weapons and reintegrate into the so­ ciety. Across the South West Region, different communities have ri­ sen agai...