Help safeguard the heritage of the Mbororo community, as they are continually threatened by climate-induced disasters and mass exclusion of human rights. 

These herders recognize the connection between nature and sustainability and actively adapt natural conservation for environmental protection. However, what awaits their invaluable knowledge and dedication to sustainable practices when they continue to be impacted by climate injustice and discrimination?

The Mbororo community is an Indigenous group located in the borderlands of Cameroon, Africa. This community faces increased discrimination and socio-economic challenges, worsened by climate-related disasters. In 2023, Africa has suffered from severe weather events that have claimed at least 15,700 lives, with many casualties belonging to the vulnerable Mbororo community.

I was heartened to learn that several Mbororo communities have initiated small-scale beekeeping projects, which are beginning to provide a new source of income. They consider this supplement along with traditional cattle rearing. With this, Mbororo youth are not only diversifying their livelihoods but also foster greater interest in food crop production and sustainable practices.

However, threats of extreme weather events, lawlessness, and rebellion continue to loom over the region. Prolonged droughts and heatwaves are increasingly disrupting their nomadic herding lifestyle and conflicts with sedentary farmers over diminishing resources have escalated into violence and loss of life. Their challenges are further intensified by a lack of land rights, political instability, restricted access to essential resources such as education and healthcare, and constant attacks from bandits, driven by their wealth in cattle and lack of police protection. 

We must value indigenous peoples’ lifestyles and knowledge, by actively considering and honoring these traditions, their way of living will be secured for generations to come.

By signing this petition, we stand in solidarity with the Mbororo community. We hope that urging for their rights to be upheld will prompt an appropriate action to combat the impacts of climate injustice and human rights mass exclusion.

References:

Empowering Indigenous Peoples in sustainable Beekeeping: The case of (no date). https://africa.panda.org/?40002/Empowering-Indigenous-Peoples-in-sustainable-Beekeeping--The-case-of-Mbororo-DerkeJoh.​

Why Indigenous communities face climate displacement challenges (2024). https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/02/indigenous-challenges-displacement-climate-change/.

Photo reference:

AFRICA | 101 Last Tribes - Mbororo people (no date). https://www.101lasttribes.com/tribes/mbororo.html.