Yaounde—Indigenous
peoples’ rights activists in Cameroon have hailed the government for recent
strides in ensuring the aboriginal forest people (Baka, Bagyeli pygmies) and
indigenous Mbororos, who are traditionally nomadic herdsmen, take part in the
country's electoral process especially the 2013 municipal and legislative
elections.
The representatives of
the traditionally underrepresented and historically marginalised minority
groups were speaking in Yaounde on the occasion of the 2017 International Day
of the World's Indigenous Peoples last August 9; month to the 10th
Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) adopted on September 14, 2007.
Statistics by the Centre
for Environment and Development (CED) show that 17 indigenous forest peoples
(Baka, Bagyeli pygmies) and 48 Mbororos are municipal councillors in the 360
municipal councils nationwide with 30 of them in the Northwest region alone,
and a pastoralist Mbororo Mayor in the Adamawa Region.
Though activists admit
there has been a marked improvement in the political representation of the
minority groups within the last ten years, they say it can be improved upon
should government put if government plays her role.
“There has been some
improvement since 2011, but while we appreciate the efforts of the government,
we still call on them to increase their efforts towards strengthening the
rights of Indigenous Peoples,” said Basiru Isa, secretary general of the
Network of Indigenous Peoples and Local Populations for the Sustainable
Management of Forest Ecosystems (REPALEAC).
Section 151 (3) of the
electoral code stipulates that “each list shall take into consideration the various
sociological components of the constituency concerned. It shall also take into
consideration gender aspects.”
Indigenous peoples’
rights defenders however think for the minority groups to fully take part in
the electoral process they need certain preconditions such as possessing valid
citizens’ documents like birth certificates and National ID cards, and most
especially getting registered into the voters’ list.
“These services for now
are not at the reach of all indigenous peoples in Cameroon because of their
geographical locations,” Basiru Isa said, further urging that authorities have
to ensure such services within the reach of aboriginal Baka and Bagyeli forest pygmies
as well as nomadic Mbororos.
The constitution of the
country uses the terms ‘indigenous’ and ‘minorities’ in its preamble; however,
it unclear to whom this reference is being made. Nevertheless, with
developments in international law, the civil society and government are
increasingly using the term indigenous to refer to the above-mentioned groups.
Nothing for us without us
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) highlights the importance of ensuring effective participation by indigenous peoples in decision-making at all levels and urges states to ensure effective implementation of the rule, but in Cameroon, activists say challenges are legion and so are cracks that need to be filled especially relating to political participation.
Cameroon voted in favour
of the UN declaration in 2007 and according to the Ministry of Social Affairs,
the country has also adopted a Plan for the Development of the “Pygmy” Peoples
within the context of its Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. Yet, vulnerable
indigenous peoples say they are yet to be represented in decision-making
bodies, both at local and national levels in the country.
“Our appeal to the
government and decision makers in this country is that indigenous people should
be given a space in political and decision making structures like the National
Assembly, the Senate, local and regional councils by creating special
constituencies for these people,” said Musa Usman Ndamba, first vice National
President of the Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association(MBOSCUDA).
The first vice National
President of MBOSCUDA expressed fear that indigenous people may not emerge when
mainstream Cameroonian communities become emergent by the year 2035 according
to a government growth and employment strategy plan.
“It is often said
nothing for us without us, but the government is taking decisions for all
Cameroonians without the presence of the representatives of indigenous people.
Indigenous people might not emerge with other Cameroonians by 2035,” Usman
Ndamba said.
Positive discrimination recommended
Experts recommend
‘positive discrimination’ in favour of the minority groups who may not contest
and win a classical election with mainstream candidates.
Samuel Nguiffo, Secretary General of CED said the government of Cameroon can adopt laws that favour
indigenous people like in the case of Burundi.
“Indigenous people
cannot run for elections like mainstream candidates because they don’t have the
same financial means, they are not as well-known as other candidates. So, the
government can decide to create seats in parliament and the senate for them,”
Samuel Nguiffo said.
The director of CED
which advocates for the rights of vulnerable indigenous people said as Cameroon
prepares for the 2018 set of elections, government can replicate the example of
Burundi where “two indigenous people are represented at the senate.” In order
to do that, Nguiffo said it is important to define a national policy for
indigenous peoples, which will require a comprehensive census of indigenous
communities.
“The announced general
census could allow the state to acquire the means to know the exact number of
indigenous people in Cameroon as their representation in local and national
elective positions can help ensure that their rights are protected, and their
unique interests are heard and translated into relevant policies, while at the
same time preventing conflict,” Samuel Nguiffo explained.
According to the United
Nations, there are an estimated 370 million indigenous people in the world,
living across 90 countries. They make up less than 5 per cent of the world's
population, but account for 15 per cent of the poorest.
According to the
Inter-Parliamentary Union, indigenous representation in parliament can also
benefit society at large, because indigenous practices and knowledge can
provide solutions to complex environmental, developmental and governance
problems that all societies face today.
By Ndi Eugene Ndi/First Published in NewsWatch Newspaper No 013 of August 21, 2017
