Cameroon indegenious people want land grabbing stopped
By Nchendzengang Tatah
Over 58,153 hectres of Bakweri native land now hosts the Mount Cameroon National Park without the authority of the people, the Fako natives are disgruntled.
They expressed their frustration August 9, to the President of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission(CHRC), Prof. James Mouangue Kobila during celebrations marking the 38th International Day of the Worlds Indegenious People in Buea.
The Paramount ruler of the Bakweri (Naliomo of Buea), Chief Dr. Robert Esuka Endeley on behalf of his people lamented how their heritage continue to face threats, needing redress.
He catalogued seizures of native land and “unfair” displacement of natives. Assured, he said “the authorities have heard our cry and are willing to start discussions towards a permanent solution”.
The Buea Paramount ruler addressed the high rate of enculturation to the detriment of local culture. “We are not moving towards modernism. We are moving away from ourselves,” Chief Dr. Robert Esuka Endeley said.
The International Human Rights Declaration translated to Mopke, (Bakweri language) was unveiled. It is today in six different local Cameroon languages of CHRC efforts.
Prof. James Kobila agreed that, land grabbing was at the fore of indegenious people’s concerns nation wide. He emphasized that his institution, the CHRC is intended for dialogue while calling for peace amongst the indegenious people towards their sustainable development.
The event was graced by traditional authorities of Fako, and Sawa together with their indegenes, local and legislative authorities.
