Visionary Reports

They are urging the government to take immediate action and calling on parents to guide their children away from street unrest and destruction.”

Clotilda Andiensa Waah General Coordinator of SNWOT

After the proclamation of results of the October 12th presidential elections in Cameroon, the nation is facing a surge of post-electoral violence. Reports indicate heightened tensions, widespread displacement, and significant disruptions across various regions. This situation has prompted urgent calls for dialogue and restraint among all stakeholders. There is a pressing need for collaborative efforts aimed at fostering peace, transparency, and reconciliation in a country already beset by multiple conflicts.In response, the South West North West Women’s Task Force (SNWOT) has called for calm and respect for human life. They have actively engaged in various initiatives to restore peace in Cameroon. Speaking to VisionaryReports on October 31, the general coordinator of SNWOT, Clotilda Andiensa Waah, expressed regret that the post-electoral period in Cameroon has been marked by significant unrest and violence, deeply affecting many lives, especially those of women. She noted that women are voicing their anguish and fear as violence escalates in different regions.“These women are not only mourning the loss of loved ones but are also confronting severe consequences for their families and communities. Many are left to bear the burdens of displacement, loss of livelihood, and the trauma of witnessing violence. The cries of these women reflect a desperate plea for peace, justice, and the protection of their rights,” she emphasized.The general coordinator reiterated that some internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the North West and South West are once again facing displacement within their host communities due to post-electoral violence. In this challenging atmosphere, she highlighted the importance of amplifying women’s voices and ensuring that their experiences are heard and addressed. While acknowledging the remarkable resilience of Cameroonian women in the face of adversity, she stressed the need for support and solidarity from both local and international communities to navigate this turmoil and advocate for a peaceful resolution.She mentioned that SNWOT has consistently called for peace and has engaged in several activities to ensure that calm returns to Cameroon. She urged mothers to keep their children at home and avoid sending them to the streets.

SNWOT’s demand for peace is not a call to silence legitimate grievances or overlook human rights violations. Rather, it reflects the collective experiences of women who have borne the brunt of the ongoing turmoil. The emotional and economic costs of conflict have left many exhausted, having repeatedly rebuilt their homes and cared for displaced families. The coalition emphasizes that violence has never resolved Cameroon’s political challenges and stresses the urgent need for a different approach.SNWOT firmly denounces all forms of violence—structural, systemic, and direct. Each type of violence results in loss, grief, and trauma that reverberate throughout communities. In light of this, the task force calls on the government to take immediate action.

By Gina Esong