Thabo Mbeki Peace Lecture.
In the Cameroon like elsewhere in Africa, the voice of young people are often left out in conversations about peace. It is against this backdrop that
the University of Buea International Relations and Conflict Resolution Students’ Association (UBIREC.SA) under the guidance of the Department of International Relations and Conflict Resolution with the support of the Faculty of Laws and Political Science and the University of Buea organised the Thabo Mbeki Lecture on Peace in Africa on Wednesday the 11th of November 2020 at the Dorothy Limunga Njeuma Amphitheatre of the University of Buea. Presiding The at the event, the Vice-Chancellor underscored the need for such lectures by young people as they are key actors in both the formation and destruction of peace. He lauded the efforts and initiative of the organisers for being able to bring together the caliber of guests to the lecture. He hope that all present will be ambassadors for peace in the nation. On his part, the Canadian High Commissioner to Cameroon H.E. Richard Bale urged the students to be on the good side of the law by being promoters of peace and elaborated on the Camadian model which could be helpful in our context. The keynote address was given by Prof. Samuel Ewusi Kale, Director of the African Regional Office, UN University for Peace, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. With his wealth of experience and involvement in efforts, processes, studies or personal experiences in peace and conflict in Africa, he was the right person to talk on Peace in Africa. He dwelled on the importance of youth involvement in peace efforts – giving them a voice and a role in peace building. According to the learned Professor, this public event will serve as a veritable practical learning exercise, and an opportunity to showcase the role of an individual or an institution in peace-building efforts – which are often otherwise unseen and unheard.
Mr. Norman Taku, Human Rights Defender and Senior NGO Administrator on his part, gave listeners a rare glimpse into the traumatic reality of conflict and the great and transforming aspiration of peace and development which of dire importance in Cameroon today.
These interventions were followed by an interactive session which gave participants the opportunity to ask questions and get clarification on issues bothering on Peace.
The ceremony was attended by the Divisional Officer for Buea, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Deans, Directors Heads of Department, students of the Faculty of Laws and Political Science and other stakeholders.
