The role of NGOs in peace building in Cameroon; case study the English speaking regions of Cameroon
Author
Noubissie, Helvy Arrey
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-10-14
Pages
65
Abstract
This thesis examines the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in peacebuilding in Cameroon’s English-speaking North-West and South-West regions. Motivated by the escalation of the crisis since 2016 and the visibility of civil society responses, the study asks which NGOs are engaged, what kinds of peacebuilding activities they implement, and how these efforts contribute to community transformation toward peace. Using a qualitative case-study design with semi-structured interviews and focus-group discussions, the analysis is guided by Lederach’s Comprehensive Peacebuilding Framework and conducted through thematic analysis. Across the material, NGO peacebuilding included seminars and workshops, community sensitization, sports and education initiatives, humanitarian assistance, mediation and conflict prevention. Between 2016 and 2018, sampled NGOs undertook peace education workshops, advocacy campaigns, promotion of human rights and the rule of law, and measures to protect against gender-based violence. Overall, the findings indicate that NGOs have contributed meaningfully to local peacebuilding in the two regions. However, limited funding, weak collaboration among organizations, and perceptions or threats from central authorities—such as suspicions of siding with separatists—constrain their work. The study adds context-specific insight to the peacebuilding literature and highlights the urgency of inclusive, locally grounded efforts in Cameroon.
Dette speciale undersøger civilsamfundsorganisationers (NGO’ers) rolle i fredsopbygning i de engelsksprogede regioner Nordvest og Sydvest i Cameroun. Med afsæt i krisens eskalering siden 2016 og de synlige civilsamfundsreaktioner spørger studiet, hvilke NGO’er der er engageret, hvilke aktiviteter de gennemfører, og hvordan indsatserne bidrager til lokalsamfundenes bevægelse mod fred. Undersøgelsen benytter et kvalitativt casestudie med semistrukturerede interviews og fokusgrupper, er teoretisk forankret i Lederachs Comprehensive Peacebuilding Framework og analyserer data tematisk. NGO‑ernes arbejde omfatter seminarer og workshops, lokalsamfundssensibilisering, sports- og uddannelsesinitiativer, humanitær støtte, mægling og konfliktforebyggelse. I perioden 2016–2018 gennemførte de undersøgte NGO’er bl.a. fredsundervisning, fortalerkampagner, fremme af menneskerettigheder og retsstatsprincipper samt beskyttelse mod kønsbaseret vold. Resultaterne peger på, at NGO’er har bidraget væsentligt til fredsopbygningen i de to regioner. Arbejdet hæmmes dog af utilstrækkelig finansiering, svag koordinering mellem organisationer og trusler eller mistanker fra centralregeringen, herunder beskyldninger om sympati med separatister. Studiet bidrager med kontekstnær viden til litteraturen om fredsopbygning og understreger behovet for inkluderende, lokalt forankrede indsatser i Cameroun.
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