Peace In NW/SW: Traditional, Religious Leaders Multiply Strategies

F ollowing the prolon­ ged crisis in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon, traditional rulers and religious authorities have taken a re­ solution to multiply and in­ tensify strategies for attaining sustainable peace in the two restive regions. The strategies are contained in a resolution taken by the officials after a two-day meeting in Buea from September 2 to 3, 2026. The document which was later presented to the Prime Minis­ ter, Head of Government four days later, comes on the heels of a working session with Pope Leo XIV in Bamenda on April 16, 2026 during his pon­ tifical visit in the country. Indeed, the strategies com­ prise both adopting new ap­ proaches and intensifying exis­ ting ones. That said, traditional and religious leaders envisage using several community-ba­ sed methods that seek at pro­ moting dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation, as well as cultural and administrative means, not forgetting colla­ boration with other stakehol­ ders. In the document, tradi­ tional rulers for example agreed to enhance communal dialogues and proximity me­ diation. In simple terms, through formal and informal meetings, they will urge those residing in their communities to shun violence, resolve local disputes using customary au­ thority, and encourage com­ munity members to embrace reconciliation. They are equally partnering with vigilante groups to promote peace and support the disarmament, de­ mobilisation and reintegration process. By this, they act as a bridge between the population and State security or the di­ sarmament institution by pro­ viding timely community in­ telligence, encouraging ex- fighters to drop their arms, and support reintegration mes­ saging. Furthermore, religious autho­ rities and traditional rulers plan on increasing advocacy for education espe...