Actions To Foster Community Dialogue: Accelerate Dev’t, Economic Empowerment

R elative calm and peace exist in most parts of the South West Region though there are a few pockets of re­ sistance as the Governor of the Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai put in during the laun­ ching of the Community Dia­ logue in Buea on September 28 by the Prime Minister. It is therefore these few redzones that the Community Dialogue launch participants were urged to be converted and leave the bushes before the end of 2026. To do this and also consolidate the reigning peace in already green zones, the Prime Minister, administrative, local authorities, traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society frontrunners agreed to implement a series of actions in the field. During the Community Dia­ logue launch in Buea and in the Divisions and Subdivi­ sions, stakeholders were una­ nimous that the South West Region is in dire need of de­ velopment projects. Projects like road infrastructure, energy that has a multiplier effects on the economy could provide a flourishing ground for eco­ nomic activities in the locali­ ties. Young men and women who indulge in agriculture or small-scale processing could easily evacuate their produce to markets in the city and make brisk business to earn a comfortable life. Also, most speakers highlighted the need to economically empower young people so as to inte­ grate fully into normal life. They cited cases of former combatants who joined the DDR centre and after acqui­ ring useful skills, have not been given seed capital to start life afresh. This, to them, discourages those still in the bushes to drop their guns. It is hope that the announced South West Community Dia­ logue Fund would be partially used to provide seed capital to ex-fighters in order to em­ power them to start a venture of their own. Apart from economic empo­ werment and push for deve­ lopment, some ex-fighters hin­ ted that some of their peers are in prison or in detention cells. As part of action to spur dialogue with those still...