North West: COMINSUD, PCC discuss ways to alleviate sufferings in conflict-hit communities.

The initiative, spearheaded by COMINSUD, a non-profit organisation, in Bamenda in partnership with the PCC Peace Office, is aimed at leveraging with the PCC to contribute in reducing some of the sufferings faced by masses, through the community peace approach.

The discussions kicked off with an exchange forum on Thursday July 18 in Bamenda. Present during the exchange was the representative of the PCC Moderator in the North West Region, Rev Dr Fai Michael; the Coordinator of COMINSUD, Fon Nsoh; Heads of different movements of the PCC, among others.

Discussions during the exchange centered on the current state of suffering of the masses, the 2025 election questions, current state of insecurity and proposed action to establish a framework to sustained CSOs and faith-based movements exchanges.

Concerning the issue of insecurity and suffering, it was revealed that over 40 persons have been killed between May-June, over 30 injured and over seven vehicles burnt, including taxis.

Kidnapping for ransoms, extortion and gunshots have also been on the rise. It was also mentioned that the representatives of the people like Members of Parliament, Senators and Mayors have been absent on the ground.

Proposed actions 

According to the Coordinator of COMINSUD, Fon Nsoh, they are going to collaborate and do more in the future.

"Together, we have reflected on the context and we have also looked at strategies that can enhance our actions for promoting peace in the region," Fon Nsoh said.

At the end of the exchange, participants agreed to create a platform to enable further discussions. They also agreed to promote actions for peace and conflict transformation with proper systems for monitoring.

Both CSOs and faith-based movements also came to a compromise on promoting inter-denomination and religious joint reflections at grassroots levels. They also agreed to address contemporary issues that affect women, men and youth.

At the end of the exchange, the representative of the PCC Moderator, Rev Dr Fai Michael, urged the organisers and participants to take the resolutions serious.

"I think that we have been schooled enough on how to go about issues of conflict resolution in the North West Region, because we have been victims in one way or the other. I want to remind them that what has been resolved here as the way forward should be taken seriously, and a follow-up be done," Rev Dr Fai said.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3177 of Tuesday July 23, 2024