Planting Seeds of Peaceful Change
Peacebuilding in Cameroon
-Fuhbang Emmanuel Tanifum-
Rev. Dr. Fuhbang Emmanuel Tanifum is an interfaith leader and peacebuilder in an active conflict zone in the English section of Cameroon. Emmanuel lives and works in Mankon, Bamenda, one of the worst affected cities in what has become known as the Anglophone Crisis. Emmanuel is the founder and CEO of Rohi Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the mission of safeguarding human rights and cultivating peace in Cameroon. One of the leading voices championing peace education in the area, Emmanuel has led several peace education campaigns in his country.
Emmanuel and his beloved family are living in the heart of the conflict. He, his wife, and his two children are routinely exposed to crossfire, death, and destruction. In his daily work of peace and human rights activities, Emmanuel is forced to confront armed men who seek to deter or interfere. Emmanuel has been personally exposed to numerous threats of life, insecurity, hostage taking for ransom, kidnappings, and extortion when belligerent parties to the conflict felt their interests threatened by his work. In October 2017, he was taken hostage by an armed group and was only released in exchange for ransom.
Emmanuel strongly believes that long-term peace and security in Cameroon can be established through grassroots peace education. Emmanuel's work targets mostly the youth of his country who constitute more than 70% of the population and face the greatest risk of radicalization and violence. He began a Peace Club initiative that provides education on peace values, knowledge, skills, and fosters a greater awareness of how citizens can choose to live in harmony with themselves and with others. It is Emmanuel's dream to train at least 5,000 volunteer peace educators to facilitate peace education throughout his community and country. He believes that the efforts of grassroots peacebuilding, one citizen at a time, will provide a solid foundation for positive peace. Emmanuel has not been deterred by the ongoing violence, but has, instead, chosen to plant seeds of peaceful change.
Here are some excerpts from our recent conversation with Emmanuel:
Can you tell us how you are and what the situation is like in Cameroon now?
War is still raging on. There is a lot of death and displacement, gun shots. In the midst of all this I have not lost my peace. I am so grateful for that and for all the efforts of our community. The peace within us is sustaining us although around us there is no peace.
How are you maintaining inner peace?
Actually this inner peace I draw from my relationship with God and personal faith - that is the fountain whereby I draw peace. Every morning I try to get to know Him by meditating on the Scriptures. Trying to obey Him as the Scriptures will give me I try to obey Him. Trust in God is a very reliable source to have peace. I also maintain this peace by my regular exercises and have time with nature. We try to create a family environment of love and unity. The support I am getting from friends and community, like church and Euphrates, is most helpful.
What motivates you to continue to do peacebuilding work?
I am doing this out of an inherent passion for peace. This passion is strengthened by my conviction as a Christian. It’s part of my divine assignment, the reason why I am living, driven by this purpose. It is why I am here. When this conflict started in my community, I felt that I was not brought to this community by chance. God placed me on earth to see positive peace brought into society.
What are the specific challenges you have had?
The challenges are enormous. Living in an insecure community is a very huge challenge. First, your life is at risk and your family is at risk. Secondly, peacebuilders are seen as asking someone to abandon their quest for justice - it is seen as a compromise. Third, my family members have died; recently I lost a cousin. Every time you hear gunshots, sometimes you are in town and you are running, sometimes lying under the bed, it is very traumatizing. Also, the economy is going down. It is not easy to even have food to eat. The concern of children is challenging. There was a year that my daughter could not go to school because of threats of violence.
How do you get past insurmountable challenges?
I have come to realize I have a personal responsibility – that is to the thoughts that come into my mind. I am constantly aware of the kind of thoughts that come into my mind. It all starts with how I think, that is what we become. When I begin to feel thoughts of fear, insecurity, I try to subdue those thoughts by reminding myself with the promises of God. Replace thoughts of fear with thoughts of the Scriptures. It has really worked. The Word of God is assuring. I always win the battle at the level of the mind. When you give into fear you become vulnerable to stress, circumstances overwhelm you. Always begin fighting at the level of my mind.
How can we help you? What do you need?
Without support of Euphrates I would not be able to stand firm and do what I am doing. Every support you give to me is appreciated. Euphrates continues to give me support and technical know how. I am trying to learn from the Euphrates community to gain assistance. There are many in my community interested in the work of peacebuilding. One day I would like to start an institute for peace education. My current workshops receive much interest. In August [2021] I received 190 applications for the 6 week peace education workshop I am running. The goal is to train 5000 young people by the end of 2022. There aren’t a lot of expenses for these workshops. We need some funds for transportation costs and meal provisions for participants. Also, our groups are outgrowing the space I have available, so I am looking to cover rental fees for larger rooms.
The seeds of change being planted in Cameroon are helping a community of young people find peace amidst ongoing conflict and unrest. Emmanuel’s work in peace education is ambitious, inspiring, and necessary.
