The South West Peace and Development Forum which took place in Buea on Friday May 12 and Saturday May 13 2023 has successfully come to an end after the 600 delegates drawn from the 6 divisions of the SWR took the commitment to spread peace across their divisions.
The grand event which was presided over by Director of Cabinet at the Prime Minister’s office, Minister Balungeli Confiance Ebune was aimed at discussing the challenges faced which hinder the return of peace and seek long lasting solutions towards the development of the region.
In his address Minister Confiance Ebune said the SW Peace and Development Forum is a landmark event in the history of the region and the country as a whole.
Minister Balungeli added that the population has a prime mission to educate their children urging them to understand that a prosperous future will only be achieved through hard work, mutual respect and confidence in the huge potential they represent in the country.
The President of the South West Regional Assembly, Bakoma Elango Zacheus in his remark noted that peace is what enables development. He stated that the regional assembly will do more to better the lives of the population of the SWR. We want a South West region where guns will be silent for good, a SWR where all our brother and sisters who fled their homes will return and rekindle the economy of our region, a SWR where movement between different localities will resume as was the case”.
Talking to the press, Minister Confiance revealed that he is satisfied in all terms. “‘It is only through peace that we can have meaningful development and make our region a reference. As a messenger, I am satisfied to take a full package back to the Prime Minister Head of Government.
At the close of the forum members hailed President Bakoma for his excellent initiative of bringing together sons and daughters of the region under the umbrella of the SW Peace and Development forum to brainstorm on building sustainable peace and development.
On Peace building, members strongly held that peace is priceless and their desire to achieve peace is primordial. They urged the state and the SWRA to organize capacity building workshops within communities for greater awareness and sustainability.
