By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, Cameroon – The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), alongside partners, on August 22 hosted a landmark public symposium under the theme “Bridging Divides: Strengthening Social Cohesion Through Culture and Dialogue.” The event brought together youths to reflect on the roots of social tensions in Buea and explore pathways toward unity, peace, and justice.
Delivering the keynote address on “Understanding Social Tensions in Buea – Root Causes and Pathways Forward,” human rights lawyer Nkongho Felix Agbor, popularly known as Agbor Balla, described the mountain town as both a symbol of history and hope, embodying the complexity of Cameroon’s past and the promise of its future.
“Buea is not just another town. It is a symbol of history, of culture, of struggle, and of hope. It embodies the complexity of Cameroon’s past and the possibilities of its future. When Buea thrives in peace, the whole of Cameroon feels its strength. When Buea is in turmoil, the whole nation shares in its pain,” Agbor Balla said.
Root Causes of Tensions
Agbor Balla traced the social fractures in Buea to a range of historical, political, and socio-economic issues. From the legacies of German, British, and French colonial administrations to today’s unresolved grievances of the Anglophone crisis, he noted that divisions are sustained by inequalities and exacerbated by insecurity.
Youth unemployment and scarce opportunities, he emphasised, fuel frustration and mistrust. Generational shifts, he added, often leave young people caught between tradition and modernity, struggling to find their voice.
Despite these challenges, Agbor Balla called for courage, dialogue, and justice. He outlined key pillars to heal wounds and strengthen cohesion: Dialogue and Youth Empowerment, Cultural Integration, Institutional, Peace and Reconciliation.
“Peace will not come from silence; it will come from justice. Social cohesion is not a dream. It is a choice. And that choice begins with us, here and now,” he said.
The Role of Religion and Local Institutions
Dr Lesley Ngwa, facilitator of a session on “The Role of Religion, Traditional Authority and Local Institutions in Peacebuilding,” underscored the importance of youth involvement. He warned against voter apathy.
“If you are not on the table, you will be on the menu to be eaten,” he remarked. “The youth need to be part of the solution, not just part of the problem. Tribalism, inequality, and corruption are challenges that young people must confront as agents of change. They have to be ambassadors of just peace.”
Dr. Ngwa urged young people to make themselves available, countering assumptions that their voices are unwelcome. “It is not easy, it is challenging, but they have to be out there as an important demographic,” he stressed.
Yaa Bongsiysi Mbuntum Ruth, a participant and president of Nso Women in Buea, highlighted the urgency of youth participation in elections and governance. She said: “I am happy to have participated in this symposium where we are seeing how to bridge gaps and bring the change we want. Our youths must register, vote, and ensure their voices are heard through the ballot box, not just sit behind and talk. Being an active participant is the only way to shape the society we want.”
Her remarks reflected a recurring theme throughout the symposium: that civic engagement and democratic participation are vital tools for healing divisions and building trust.
For the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, the event marked another step in fostering grassroots dialogue on peace and coexistence in a region long scarred by conflict. As Agbor Balla reminded the gathering: “Each of us must ask: what role can I play in building bridges, in healing wounds, in restoring trust? Because peace is not the work of governments alone; it is the work of communities, of families, of each citizen.”
