Celebrating Indigenous Peoples:

Mbororos on the offensive against marginalization
By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

9 August 2015 was celebrated the world over as the international day of the world’s indigenous peoples under the theme "Post 2015 Agenda: Ensuring indigenous peoples' health and well-being"
     The day, first pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1994, to be celebrated every year is aimed at promoting and protecting the rights of the world’s indigenous populations.
    In cameroon, Mbororo pastoralist communities, who identify as indigenous minorities, account for some 12 per cent of Cameroon’s population and often face conflicts over access to and ownership of land and access to water.
    Perhaps it is the lack of knowledge about Mbororo culture and the problems they face, which has served to almost wholly marginalize them from mainstream Cameroon society.
    Although a significant tax contributor, the Mbororo receives virtually very little state support with the level of illiteracy amongst them as high as 86% in some communities.
    Despite this lacuna, the Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association of Cameroon (MBOSCUDA) has been striving with the little resources at their disposal to empower Mbororo pastoralists to achieve sustainable and equitable development and to secure their human, social, cultural and economic rights as valued active citizens of Republic of Cameroon.
    MBOSCUDA essentially started as a social movement, but over the years, its NW chapter has gradually evolved towards a service delivery structure following a clearer understanding of the needs of the Mbororo people of the Region.
    During the past decade, MBOSCUDA NW has continuously carried out paralegal extension and advocacy actions aimed at influencing decision/policy makers to be more responsive to the peculiar situation of the Mbororo-Fulani people of the region.

    The impact these efforts include a reduction of the incidence of victimization and exploitation of Mbororo-Fulani people by local administrative authorities, officials of technical services and forces of law and order.
    Also, the Mbororo-Fulani people of the region have been sensitized and empowered to defend their rights. Though some cases of human rights abuse are still observed in many parts of the region, studies have clearly shown interesting changes.
    MBOSCUDA’s efforts to improve on education and literacy among the Mbororo-Fulani population of the NWR have been enhanced by partnerships with several government and non-governmental organizations including various services of the Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education, the American Embassy, Plan Cameroon and Village Aid UK.
    Through efforts supported by these partners, MBOSCUDA has directly assisted about 450 youths, especially girls in their education through scholarships. Also, MBOSCUDA has provided educational infrastructure including 18 classrooms and desks as well as didactic materials to a total of 50 schools around the region.
    In order to enhance Mbororo people’s access to social amenities, MBOSCUDA NW has collaborated with various government and NGO partners to improve on social amenities in their communities. Major realizations in this area include; Protection of 5 water catchments in 5 communities thus guaranteeing better health for community members.