CPS BftW partners reflect on how continue with their activities in the context of elections

CPS BftW partners reflect on how continue with their activities in the context of elections

The CPS Bread for the World partner organizations held their 2025 annual meeting in Nkolandom, South Region of Cameroon. The meeting, which took place from June 16 to 19, 2025, was aimed at consolidating these organizations’ achievements in peacebuilding and to open discussions on new perspectives during election periods.

The Nkolandom discussions focused on the theme ” peace work in the context of elections.” The sixteen organizations that make up the CPS Bread for the World partner network reflected on developing new areas for their fieldwork in order to maintain their peacebuilding activities.

As usual, the meeting began with words of exhortation from Rev. Etaka Elsie which called on everyone to call upon the Lord, the sole decision-maker, to guide the electoral process in Cameroon. Together with Mariama Njayou, an inter-religious prayer was conducted for a smooth annual meeting and God’s guidance for CPS partners before, during and after elections

After the prayer, participants joyfully received the welcome words of Mr. Rene Baidou, Director of Finance at UPAC and representative of Rector of UPAC during the annual meeting. Isabelle Malmartel delivered a word of welcome on behalf of the Berlin team. Both hoped that the meeting would be rich with a deep reflection on each of the identities of the partner organizations in the context of peacebuilding in Cameroon.

New comers to the CPS annual partners meeting were introduced featuring two seconded personnel. There was also a general introduction of all partners present. The rest of the opening session of the annual partners workshop focused on highlighting the new CPS BftW objectives, as follows:

– Strengthening social cohesion

– Defending the interests of youth in a non-violent manner so that they participate in decision-making and the peace process;

– Encouraging women to participate in peace processes, with an emphasis on socio-economic aspects and female leadership.

Through these objectives, organizations are called upon to deploy their efforts in implementing these new guidelines. Some of them, notably CIPCREE, AFFADA, and DNE, presented the current state of the advocacy projects, the evolution of their activities, and future prospects. Discussions were opened on the actions to be taken during the election period. Actions that will not compromise the identities and work of the organizations, much less endanger them. These actions should also take into account the new 2025-2027 objectives.

Christelle Otto