Since its inception in November 2022, the Cameroon Diaspora Dialogues initiative has been on a mission to bring together Cameroonians living abroad to engage in conversations about conflict transformation and peacebuilding, while exploring the diaspora community’s prospective roles in influencing the ongoing conflict in Cameroon. Through diverse activities that span town halls, panel discussions, and cultural initiatives, the project has successfully fostered a space for dialogue, solidarity, and collective action.

Building Bridges: From reflection town hall meetings to footballing for peace 

The journey began with a Diaspora Town Hall Meeting in Berlin, held at Makenene Restaurant, where the initiative was introduced to the local Cameroonian community. The event aimed to raise awareness about the ongoing conflict in Cameroon and brainstorm potential roles for the diaspora in contributing to peacebuilding efforts. Participants from various backgrounds and perspectives exchanged their thoughts on advocacy, peace, and possible collaborations. The discussion provided valuable insights into how the diaspora could use its influence to help mitigate the crisis.

  ‘On est fou de foot’ is a popular Cameroonian statement meaning ‘ we are crazy about football. In 2023, the focus shifted to sports as a unifying platform. The Cameroon Diaspora Football Calendar was created with the goal of  documenting football teams in Berlin. This project helped us engage with the diaspora in a cultural dynamic understanding underlying pinings and dynamics of running football associations as migrant groups in Berlin. Our final output was not just the calendar but the year-long engagement process in this football subject engaged the football community in meaningful discussions about the conflict and the role sports can play in peacebuilding. By bringing together athletes and fans, the calendar became a symbol of unity while sparking conversations about the conflict in Cameroon. The project was a successful example of using a shared passion for football to fuel dialogue and action.

Panel Discussions and Moderated Events: Amplifying Voices

In 2024, the initiative expanded its reach with online panel discussions that included a wide range of voices from the diaspora. These virtual events featured Cameroonians of various ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds, ensuring diverse representation and perspectives. The panels discussed not only the political and social dimensions of the conflict but also the role of the diaspora in contributing to peace efforts. These discussions became a platform for diaspora members worldwide to exchange ideas and reflect on how they could engage in peacebuilding back home. Featuring in these prominently were the subject of online hatespeech and prospective roles the diaspora can play in mitigating misinformation and disinformation. 

In addition to online engagements, the r0g office in Berlin hosted two moderated events titled “Navigating Bamenda”. These events featured special guests from Bamenda, Cameroon, who shared firsthand experiences of living and working in the heart of the conflict. Nduku, a community mobilizer and activist, shared a hopeful and resilient message about the spirit of the people living in Bamenda. Stella Mbuh, a journalist, spoke about the challenges of reporting from within the conflict zone, shedding light on the role of media in peacebuilding. These events provided invaluable perspectives and sparked important conversations on how the diaspora can support the people on the ground.

Expanding Outreach and collaboration : The Osnabrück Town Hall

In November 2024, the initiative took another step forward by organizing a physical town hall event in Osnabrück, Germany. Together with local partner organisation: Bridge builders e.V, the one day event was yet another moment of encountering Cameroonians of all works of life along other Africans living within the Osnabrück area. This event focused on engaging Cameroonians in the city of Osnabrück in dialogue about the conflict in Cameroon. It provided a platform for attendees to share their perspectives on the crisis and explore potential solutions as a community. The event fostered an environment of open discussion and unity, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges facing Cameroon.

A Continued Commitment to Peacebuilding

While the journey has been full of challenges, including the diverse views within the diaspora logistical hurdles,and a scorching difficulty in mobilisation,  the Cameroon Diaspora Dialogues initiative has made great strides in fostering unity, collaboration, and awareness. By engaging the diaspora through various activities, from town halls to football initiatives and panel discussions, the project has created opportunities for diaspora members to contribute meaningfully to conflict transformation in Cameroon.

The initiative has also provided invaluable opportunities for diaspora members to engage with one another, learn from the experiences of those living in Cameroon, and collaborate on potential solutions for the crisis. The Cameroon Diaspora Dialogues is not just about raising awareness, but also about creating pathways for actionable change. It is about amplifying the voices of those living abroad and ensuring that the diaspora plays an active role in shaping the future of Cameroon. By using online platforms, live streaming and digital tools, we strive to encounter or reach out to Cameroonians living abroad irrespective of geographical location.

Challenges 

In the Defyhatenow Cameroon Diaspora Dialogue Initiative, everything has not been a bed of roses. One of the main challenges we face so far has been mobilizing participants. Many Cameroonians abroad are already juggling numerous responsibilities, from paying bills to sending remittances home, making political engagement a lower priority. On top of this, we face financial constraints. Without a dedicated funding allocation for the diaspora initiative, we had to make the most of a limited budget, which certainly made things more creative than we would have liked. It’s easy to imagine the potential if there were a clear and sustainable fund for this cause.

Cultural differences also presented some challenges, particularly when it came to timekeeping. “Cameroonian time” is a very real phenomenon, and punctuality at events often became a bit… flexible. Collaborating across different time norms required extra patience and understanding. Additionally, the fear of expressing opinions on sensitive political topics remains prevalent, even among those living abroad. Many participants tended to be cautious, and it’s understandable given the delicate nature of these discussions.

With a little more support from Cameroonian embassies abroad, we believe we could overcome some of these challenges and foster a more open and engaging dialogue.

Looking Forward

As the Cameroon Diaspora Dialogues initiative moves forward, there is a continued commitment to fostering unity and collective action within the diaspora. With a focus on expanding outreach, strengthening partnerships, and creating more opportunities for meaningful engagement, the initiative aims to build on the successes of the past two years and continue advocating for peace and stability in Cameroon.

The journey is far from over, and the potential for positive change is immense. Through collaboration, solidarity, and dialogue, the Cameroonian diaspora can make a powerful contribution to the ongoing peacebuilding efforts in their home country. Together, the Cameroon Diaspora Dialogues will continue to pave the way for encounter,dialogue ,exchange and calling to action in view of a long lasting solution to the conflict in Cameroon. 

More information can be found on our website: https://defyhatenow.org/cameroon/diaspora-dialogues/