Event Date: November 29, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm EST
Location: FSS 4004, 120 University Private, University of Ottawa

Presented by CIPS and the Gender, Peace and Development Research Network (previously the FSRN)

Cameroon is grappling with multiple internal conflicts and humanitarian crises while also being encircled by fragile states. It shares borders with Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo. Each of these states are facing their own unique humanitarian and security challenges, contributing to regional fragility. In recent past, Cameroon has been confronted with three distinct conflict and humanitarian crises that unfold across three regions: the Northern regions — bordering Nigeria where Boko Haram insurgency and violent extremism persist; the Northwest and Southwest regions — where the Anglophone Crisis continue to escalate; and the Eastern regions — which faces spillover effects of violence and displacement from neighboring Central African Republic. The government with support from international partners has implemented a range of initiatives to address these challenges. Some of these efforts include carrying out humanitarian responses to provide aid to affected populations, military operations to tackle national security threats and a major national dialogue to promote peace and social cohesion. Despite these efforts the situation remains dire due to various factors such as the complex nature of conflicts, structural exclusion of women in decision making and the lack of political will. This panel will offer a nuanced understanding of potential pathways to overcome Cameroon’s fragility. The panel will discuss the role of women in addressing Cameroon’s multifaceted security challenges while exploring different strategies to improve the wellbeing and empower individuals in fragile states like Cameroon. Panellists will discuss different peacebuilding approaches including promoting effective national dialogue, integrating the humanitarian, development and peace nexus, mobilizing funds to finance local initiatives etc. that may address Cameroon’s security and humanitarian crises. This discussion will will inform development practice and policy in the country.

This event will take place in English and French.

This will be a hybrid event – participation can take place in person or virtually.

Speakers:
Irène Chiewouo Kuetche, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Yaoundé 1. Her research focuses on gender and inclusivity. Irene’s presentation will highlight the vital role women play in Cameroon’s fragility, while exploring the practical implications of their inclusion/exclusion in peacebuilding and development efforts.

Chris Begealawuh is a PhD candidate (ABD) at the School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa. His research focuses on peacebuilding and the politics of national dialogues in Africa. He is a recipient of the IDRC 2022 Doctoral Research Award. Chris will discuss government’s attempt to build peace in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon through a major national dialogue in 2019 and what can be done to make peacebuilding dialogues more productive in fragile states.

Axel Pueugue Simo is a PhD candidate at the School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa. His doctoral research explores the potential of linking humanitarian action, development and peacebuilding in the Cameroonian context. From the lenses of Humanitarian – Development – Peace Nexus, Axel will discuss the relationship between politics and humanitarian action and how this plays out in response strategies to Cameroon’s fragility.

Falk Petegou is a Visiting Professor at the School of Political Studies and the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. His research focuses on peace building, conflict resolution, civilian armed groups, conventional and contemporary conflict management technologies, theories and models of peace, conflict theory, collective memory of conflicts, the political protest movements in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa and the mechanisms for constructing conflicting identities. Falk will discuss different strategies to promote peace and development in the context of Cameroon’s fragility.

Moderator:
Gervais Doumtsop Kanouo, PhD, is the Coordinator of the Centre for International Policy Studies (CIPS) and the Centre on Governance (COG) at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on the German, French, and British colonial systems in Cameroon and their consequences on the character of a people who became insubordinate to colonial and post-colonial administration, expressing their discontent through the war of independence and insurrectionary movements. In addition to moderating the debate, Dr Doumtsop will present the historical context and some factors that led to the emergence of internal conflicts and humanitarian crises in Cameroon.