Social Affairs Minister, Pauline Irene Nguene officially launched on Friday, 26th July 2024, the 30th edition of the International Day of Indigenous People in Yaounde.
On Friday, July 27, 2024, in Yaounde, Cameroon’s nation capital, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS) in partnership with local and international organizations launched the 30th edition of the International Day of Indigenous People.
Ahead of the celebration of this year’s edition of the International Day of Indigenous People which takes place every 9th of August, government officials, and leaders of international and civil society organizations agreed to fully integrate indigenous people in activities that will alleviate their living conditions.
During the presentation of stakes and challenges of this celebration, Georges Edmond Makita, Director in charge of national Solidarity and Social Development said despite the vast programmes that have been set in motion by the government through the Ministry of Social Affairs, there are many incentives which could put in place by some organizations.
He said projects that are often carried out by organizations have to take into account aspects of safeguarding and the environment.
Mr. Makita Georges Edmond underscored the need to examine some social programmes at the level of community-based organizations, so as to fit in social aspects that will positively impact the lives of Indigenous persons.
As mentioned in his presentation, the Director in charge of national solidarity and social development outlined the fact that, transformative projects are crucial in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and which could only be attained if some policies are fully implemented in the field.
Also, during the launch, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as one of the key international organizations that collaborate with MINAS for the well-being of Indigenous people, was given the floor to highlight some of its major activities that incorporate Indigenous groups like the Baka and Bagyeli in the East region.
According to WWF’s representative, a series of projects to help empower indigenous communities to participate in important management processes such as revenues from lands and agro-pastoral activities are undertaken in some regions of the country.
To officially launch the International Day of Indigenous People’s two-weeklong activities, the Head of MINAS in Cameroon, Madam Nguene Pauline Irene said this 30th edition is placed under the theme: “Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact”.
The theme of this 30th edition as outlined is a critical understanding of the pivotal role that indigenous people play in our societies.
As indicated, Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact are the best protectors of the forest. Where their collective rights to lands and territories are protected, the forests thrive, alongside their societies. And not only is their survival crucial to the protection of our planet, but it is also crucial to the protection of cultural and linguistic diversity.
Pauline Irene Nguene went further to note that this year’s celebration of the International Day of Indigenous People comes in a particular context as Cameroon is about to hold inclusive and peaceful elections, which calls for a massive mobilization of the population without discrimination.
The timely celebration is also a moment to call for all Indigenous people to massively register on voters’ lists ahead of the presidential elections.
Minister Pauline Irene Nguene said: “In his general orientation speech at the beginning of 2023, the Head of State prescribed the continued implementation of policies for the social inclusion of vulnerable society groups. In line with this, the Ministry of Social Affairs has made the inclusion of groups with specific vulnerabilities a priority orientation for all its major activities, in this case, the celebration of days dedicated to them. Again, beyond the permanent advocacy and sectoral actions undertaken by the various stakeholders, citizenship education for Indigenous Peoples would genuinely enable them to exercise their right to participate in public life in several areas, and bring about the desired changes for their social inclusion: for these communities, it is a question of ensuring their participation in social and economic life, their involvement in political life, in a nutshell, their participation in sustainable development. It is the exercise of this right to participation that would guarantee the feeling of belonging to the national community, and therefore the social inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and communities.”
Another issue highlighted by Minister Nguene Pauline Irene in her keynote address is that of engaging Indigenous people in all decision-making processes; their active participation in citizenship for sustainable development and most importantly the respect for their rights.
Elise Kenimbeni
