The riparian population of Canton Mvae-Mabi, in Campo Subdivision, Ocean Division of the South Region, have petitioned the government to take immediate actions against agro-industries and forestry companies operating in the area, citing widespread human rights abuses and environmental degradation among other isssues.
The petition is contained in a letter, the embattled community addressed to the Divisional Officer of Campo, Bamock Francis Igor.
The two-page document, signed by some 18 identified members of the community, decried the activities of agricultural production company, Cameroun Vert Sarl , best known by its French acronym as CAMVERT, as well as two forestry companies they identified as BIOSCAM and SOFONI.
In the tear-provoking letter, the riparian population of the Canton-Mvae-Mabi accused CAMVERT of violating the rights of the host community, non-compliance with pre-established obligations in specifications and influence on traditional authorities.
They also cited the gross irresponsibility in handling work-related accidents and ecosystem degradation following the destruction of village fields by rampaging elephants.
The forestry companies on the part, BOISCAM and SOFONI, the community said in the letter, have been accused of violating the rights of the riparian community, plundering forest outside the logging zone, non-existence of a conventional policy and non-payment of land royalties amongst other activities.
According the community, the presence of these companies, “have become a source of misery and ongoing poverty” in the area.
They have urged the administrative authority to ensure that “all the actors, stakeholders and managers of these companies to urgently review the conditions of collaboration for resolving this catastrophic situation”.
They have also called for what they have described as “the urgent implementation of an exchange platform as soon as possible”.
Community unites against exploitation
According to the riparian population of Canton Mvae-Mabi, they have been in silence for too long and it was time to unite and stand up for their rights.
“Over the years, we have also been abused, scorned, left to fend for ourselves and thus victimized by lies and elaborate promises without any profitable optimization,” a part of the petition said.
Faced with these numerous, unending and unresolved complaints, the community has resolved to unite and implement policies to protect the rights of local communities.
“There will be no more question of watching these capitalist entities with no sense of social duty resume their activities to the detriment of our collective well-being as an indigenous population,” they wrote.
CamerToday cannot independently confirm all these accusations. There has also been no official statement from the D.O of Campo, CAMVERT BIOSCAM and SOFONI.
The case of the riparian population of the Canton-Mvae-Mabi is not one in isolation. In other parts of the South Region, the activities of agro industries have plunged the local population into misery, starvation and poverty. In May last year, Camertoday, after a thorough investigation on the field, reported on the situation of some five villages along the Edea-Kribi stretch of road; Apouh a Ngock, Koukoue, Ongue, Nbonguem and Dehane, who are adversely affected by the activities of the largest palm oil producer in the country, the Cameroon Palm Company, SOCAPALM.
The population began a protest against the replanting exercise which reportedly began in some areas in 2022 and 2023. The company, through its Director General, Dominique Cornet, has however insisted of no wrongdoing in their operations in the area, while indicating their openness to constructive dialogue.
There have been similar complaints in other places like Nkoteng and Mbandjock in the Centre Regions against Cameroon’s largest sugar producer, the Cameroon Sugar Cooperation, SOSUCAM.