Where Conflict Meets Climate: A Story Of Resilience
by Anonymous
I was kidnapped at gunpoint and held in captivity for three months as I work in a zone affected by not just the climate crisis but equally an ongoing armed conflict. I was kidnapped while leading the biodiversity restoration of the Mankon community forest that was burned. This is an 85-hectare pristine forest that is central to the livelihood and culture of the Mankon people.
The advent of the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon has been very devastating not only for environmental activists like myself but equally to the people, as it has led to the displacement of over one million people, thousands of deaths, and severe environmental degradation on an extensive level.
Working in this region presents a direct threat to life, amongst many other dangers. I was kidnapped while serving this community. In captivity, people were killed, amongst many other heinous crimes, and I cannot find words to describe. Nevertheless, chose to be resilient because I know hope prevails over fear and love over death. I was kidnapped for simply helping communities restore their burned forest, protect their water catchment and establish a mutual symbiosis between humans and the environment.
During my time in captivity, I fostered a conversation that saw the deradicalisation of seven youths who eventually became environmental stewards and participated in the restoration of over 85 hectares of forest that got burned. Furthermore, in captivity, I engaged in a dialogue that saw the release of many other wrongfully detained and abducted persons, including myself. I championed a reconciliation and peace-building initiative titled: Greening Conflict-Affected Communities, which has brought a lot of impacts in many conflict and climate-affected regions of Cameroon.
My experience has been used as a source of reference and an encouragement for youths to brave the challenges and stand up for nature and humanity. I was given the Resilience award for my fortitude and resilience.
I remain resilient and committed to fostering a mutual symbiosis between humans and the environment and to bringing peace to conflict-affected communities.