The community of Kienké in the Ocean Division of the South Region, came alive with songs and slogans in a vibrant celebration of the international Day of the struggle against Tree Monoculture, celebrated every year on September 21.
Organized by RADD (Réseau des Acteurs du Développement Durable (Network of Actors of Sustainable Development). The event aimed to shed light on the injustices faced by communities in the wake of agro-industrial practices.
Cross section of participants
Participants shared harrowing testimonies highlighting the devastating effects of land grabbing associated with industrial tree plantations. The event focused on emblematic cases, such as the Apouh Angock community’s struggles against the Cameroonian Palm Company (Socapalm), revealing widespread violations of community rights, environmental degradation, and the pollution of vital waterways.
This year’s theme, “Land Restoration, Halting Desertification, and Building Drought Resilience,” resonated deeply with attendees, who adopted the rallying cry: “Our Lands, Our Future. We will Restore our generations.” This slogan underscored their commitment to uphold land and community rights.
Demands of the women
Women from the Ocean Division articulated several key demands, emphasizing their rights to:
- Life and security
- Respect for their living environment
- Quality education for their children
- Decent working conditions
- Access to adequate healthcare
- Sustainable economic development
- Peasant seeds to ensure food sovereignty
- The land they have historically cultivated
- Clean drinking water
Executive Secretary of RADD
Marie Crescence Ngobo, Executive Secretary of RADD, emphasized the significance of this day: “On September 21, we give voice to defenders of rights of those who live near large monoculture plantations. They demand respect for their rights and an end to the abuses of agro-industries. These plantations, created long before independence, have devastated hundreds of thousands of hectares, destroying forests and communities.”
Ngobo highlighted the profound impact on women, stating, “In these green prisons, they suffer in silence, enduring abuse and losing their dignity.”
Solidarity and Awareness
The event included workshops aimed at fostering exchanges between local residents and international guests, building solidarity against monoculture practices. Training sessions equipped participants with advocacy skills, empowering them to defend their rights more effectively.
The discussions raised awareness about the destructive impacts of monocultures and explored strategies for resistance.
A Collective Commitment
The celebration served as a powerful moment of mobilization, with participants leaving inspired to protect their lands and rights. “Our lands are our future,” they affirmed, pledging to continue their fight for justice.
The Executive Secretary of Journalists for Earth remarked on the poignant testimonies shared by local women, stating, “The violence and abuse faced by these women reveal an unbearable reality. It is crucial for all women to raise their voices and demand their rights to dignity and security.”
Testimonies and Struggles
Local women shared their stories, illustrating the harsh realities of living near agro-industrial operations:
- Ngon Bissou Felicité lamented, “We have no life. SOCAPALM came to mistreat us on our land. They took everything.”
- Ngo Ndoumé Marie Thérese described the hardship of accessing land, stating, “They took our land without leaving us a place to cultivate.”
- Mbiahe Regine added, “We suffer from land grabbing and famine, while we see the palm nuts harvested around us without us sharing in the benefits.”
- Nyangon Nsombo Judith, spoke of personal trauma linked to the company, saying, “SOCAPALM has ruined my future and continues its abuses.”
These testimonies underscore the urgent need for reforms and respect for the rights of local communities.
The International Day of Struggles Against Tree Monoculture in Kienké was a resounding call for justice and solidarity. As participants affirmed their commitment to defend their lands, they highlighted a collective responsibility to advocate for sustainable practices and respect for human rights in the face of industrial exploitation.
By
Munya Charles Babila
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