Abstract
ABSTRACT This article focuses on the current conflict in Anglophone Cameroon and examines the role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in conflict resolution. In doing so, it explores a paradox in the peacebuilding literature. On the one hand, the ‘local turn’ in peacebuilding has emphasised a bottom-up approach that highlights the role of CSOs. On the other hand, the literature on ‘shrinking civic space’ has demonstrated how space for CSOs’ activities has become increasingly restricted, especially in authoritarian contexts like Cameroon. The article investigates the contributions of CSOs to conflict resolution, the constraints faced, and their responses in turn to mitigate such constraints. CSOs’ contribution to conflict resolution is at least three-fold: to engage with most-affected communities and build an evidence base of the conflict’s adverse consequences for civilians; to draw national and international attention to the conflict; and to maintain pressure for a negotiated settlement through public protests and interactions with both government and non-state armed groups. Despite facing intimidation and violence at times, CSOs have responded in innovative ways that demonstrate examples of adaptation and resistance to shrinking civic space.
Highlights
Cameroon is currently in a critical situation and facing unparalleled political violence
civil society organisations (CSOs) participants shared ways they have sought to counter shrinking spaces, identifying the following: awareness raising; documentation; mobilisation; networking and coalitionbuilding; dialogue and communication. We examine these efforts with reference to the categories of responses to shrinking civic space outlined above
Through the case of the Anglophone conflict in Cameroon, this paper has explored a paradox – the role of CSOs in peacebuilding from below in the context of shrinking civic space
Summary
Cameroon is currently in a critical situation and facing unparalleled political violence. Human rights reports show that rape and other forms of gender-based violence have increased dramatically, as well as documenting arbitrary killings, unlawful imprisonment, torture and kidnappings.7 Both warring sides bear a heavy responsibility for atrocities, though documentary evidence indicates that Cameroonian security forces are responsible for a majority of the killings and burning of homes, and for a greater level of indiscriminate violence.. In recent times the scholarly literature on the ‘local turn’ in peacebuilding has placed more emphasis on a bottom-up or grassroots approach, inclusive of the role of civil society organisations (CSOs). This stands somewhat in contradiction to another recent strand in academic and practitioner literature concerning ‘shrinking civic space’.17. The research focuses on peacebuilding as the overarching concept, within which conflict resolution is perceived as an essential element
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