The Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network develops this youth-led petition in solidarity with young Cameroonians in response to the recent escalation of violence and gross violation of human rights in Cameroon. We wish to show that as young people we can have our voices heard even amidst the silence of the international community. Our action is inspired by our mission and vision as peace builders, believing in the Commonwealth Charter which calls on member state to be democratic, respect rule of law, human rights and promote peace.  

We use this opportunity to call on our fellow young Cameroonians to avoid and desist from using any form of violence including hate speech and physical violence toward exercising their human and political right.

Our aim is to raise over 100,000 signatures from young people across the world within a period of one month to mount pressure on the Cameroonian Government to take action towards peace, and the International Community to speak out and act firmly against the violence. We thus make our petition as follows:

1) We the young people of Commonwealth states, call on the government of Cameroon to restrain from and prevent the violation of human rights, and exercise practices as enshrined in the constitution and put more effort towards achieving sustainable solutions to conflict through dialogue and the maintenance of peace.

2) We build on the most recent UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on youth, peace and security to call on the international Community to intervene both as moderators and as authoritative voices to keep to the promise of working with young people in solutions to countering violence rather than allow for the loss of young lives to violent conflict 

Background of the Crisis

The ongoing crisis in Cameroon started with the declaration of a strike by teachers and lawyers in the Northwest and Southwest in October this 2016 Although the violence and unrest started with the strike, the grievances expressed by these unions is founded in the historical events which led to the unification of the English and French Cameroons.

The country has been plagued by civil protests which grew from a peaceful action to the violation of human rights, destruction of property, suspension of school, arbitrary arrest, brutal killing and torture of young people and the most recent internet blackout the English regions of Cameroon. This protest extended to other parts of the world where Cameroonian protested in the streets in a request for justice and peace. The protest which started as demand over the elimination of imposition of French on English speaking regions of the Northwest and Southwest of Cameroon has now grown into calls for Cameroon to become a federal state while others call for the separation of Southern Cameroon from the Republic of Cameroon.

The most humbling aspect of the current crisis has been the resilience of fellow young people despite their grievances, and trauma they have faced during this period, has been a source of hope for many of us. As an alternative to violence, young Cameroonians have resulted to engaging in non-violent communication strategies, advocacy, diplomatic missions, reaching out to their Anglophone and francophone friends showing that their differences will not make them enemies. How long will this last if this crisis is not properly managed and resolved as soon as possible? We the young people cannot do it alone but we can do it together.

Reflection to Cameroonians 

It is very important to value and respect diversity. While the aggrieved youths demonstrate, they should always think of the brotherly and sisterly love they share. We need not take the same path as Rwanda but learn from our brothers and sister who learnt too late that violence is not the answer. Be you an Anglophone or Francophone, it is your duty and responsibility to stand for peace, respect human rights, rule of law, and the right to live 

Contact Us at: www.cypan.org / emai: info@cypan.org