The Northern region of Cameroun has over the past years experienced high levels of insecurity, hegemonic conflicts, tension caused by issues of identity and beliefs among others which have led to a region that is volatile with persistent violence. These has destroyed the social and economic fabric of the inhabitants amidst the persistent conflict mainly attributed to the ever growing cases of Violent extremism and interethnic violence in the area.

It is against this background that PROCMURA under its Conflict and Peace Building Programme organized a week long Seasonal School bringing together stakeholders from seven areas, Maroua, Garoua, Mora, Meke, Kousserri, Mayo Sava and Mokolo. Among these stakeholders were key government dignitaries, religious leaders, traditional chiefs, Scholars, social development workers, women and youth leaders who held intense brainstorming sessions and went through religious Peace building training in an attempt to find a lasting solution to the challenges and problems affecting the region.

PROCMURA through the MAROUA SEASONAL SCHOOL which was held from April 11th to April 16, 2021, at the Sahel Hotel in Maroua in the Far North Province of Cameroon moved to build and strengthen the capacity of the stakeholders in the region to lead the fight against the menace of violent extremism and ethnic violence which ties under the theme: “Building bridges of peace in Northern Cameroon: The role of religious leaders, traditional chiefs, women and youth leaders in the fight against violent extremism and interethnic conflicts for peace".

The opening ceremony of the Seasonal School was graced by several government dignitaries, Christian and Muslim religious leaders who were all given an opportunity to address the participants. In his address, the government representative of Maroua region Mr. Silas Tiyabe expressed his delight and gratitude to PROCMURA for continuously knocking on the Doors of Maroua to host Peaceful delegations in the region over the past years. He emphasised that Maroua is strategic as it is centrally located in the Far North region of Cameroun and is one of the cities in the region that has exemplified peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims.

The General Adviser Rev Dr Komi Dzinyefe Adrake and The Chairperson of PRICA Area Committee Reverend Robert Goyek represented PROCMURA in the Seasonal School. 

Different Leaders were able to point out the need and importance of the Seasonal school and more capacity building programmes which they said are critical for the region which would lead to increased cohesion at the community level and would strengthen collaboration towards common goals for peace and development.

Capacity building programmes and interventions of this nature can create community platforms for the local leaders empowering them to be proactive in engaging and finding possible solutions to the problems the region is facing. It is sad that the region despite having strong cultural beliefs and coexistence has been known for the violent extremism and ethnic violence that has claimed many lives and left thousands of innocent civilians displaced.

PROCMURA fully recognizes the fact that religion, religious and traditional leaders in Africa, play a critical role in achieving peace and thus continues to work tirelessly within its programmatic focus of conflict prevention, peace building and reconciliation. It does so in collaboration with all others who share in this objective within Africa and drawing inspiration support of people and organizations around the world who are also committed to the course of peace hence the reason of having other organizations in this training notably the Local Action for Participatory and Self-Managed Development (ALDEPA), and Cameroonian Association for Inter-religious Dialogue (ACADIRE).

While making his presentation within the confines of the training’s objective of enabling the establishment of a regional network of religious leaders, traditional chiefs, women's and youth groups, to bridge peace and the fight against extremism, Dr. Mahamat Mbarkoutou, a scholar from the University of Maroua, took note of the fact that the conflict in the far north of Cameroon has caused many deaths and left many families displaced in search of peace.

He urged those present to commit to lasting solutions to the situation in their region which include but not limited to promotion of intercultural dialogue at the community level through community consultation frameworks, promotion of interfaith dialogues through interreligious platforms and fighting radicalization of young people. Dr. Mahamat presentation was on sub-theme: “Sociological reflections on the past, present and future security situation in Cameroon: Its impacts and proposed solutions”.

 Other scholars from the University of Maroua who made presentations include Professor Wassouni François who spoke on “Political analysis and proposals for ending the crisis in the Greater North of Cameroon” and Dr Ibrahim Abdouraman who focused on “The role of mosques and Muslim leaders in the fight against violent extremism, the resolution of inter-ethnic conflicts at community level and the promotion of peace in Cameroon”

The seasonal schools are part of PROCMURA’s efforts to increase its activities and presence in its grassroot constituencies across Africa in a bottom-up approach as the organization seeks to promote peace and peaceful coexistence of people of different religious backgrounds.