The Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education has called for a united national front against all forms of violence to mark the International Day of Peace observed every 21 September.
Themed « Let’s act for a peaceful world, » this year’s International Peace Day saw Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education Mounouno Foutsou lead a national call to action. The focus is a united stand against acts of political violence, electoral fraud, and any attempt to disrupt public order, highlighting the understanding that only lasting peace can guarantee development and collective wellbeing.
To mark the day on September 21, the minister organized a walk alongside youths, symbolizing the collective commitment to this day. The minister says this event is part of broader activities designed by MINJEC, which holds a mission to elaborate and implement strategies for youth to contribute to national development and promote peace values. In collaboration with partners, these initiatives according to the minister aimed to strengthen the culture of peace and Living Together within communities.
The general objective of the commemoration is to mobilize the population around the crucial issues of consolidating peace, social cohesion, and Living Together in Cameroon. This encompassed specific goal, including making the International Day of Peace better known to the public and conducting activities to promote harmonious living, solidarity, tolerance, and the acceptance of others.
The minister says « this is a strong message to each youth Cameroonian, to anchor the culture of peace in his heart so that we can contribute actively to the promotion of peace where ever we are ». Further efforts were directed at implementing a common framework for synergy in peace building initiatives and promoting a culture of peace through sensitization on the dangers of hate speech and xenophobia.
A key aim is also to mobilize national populations and the diaspora to integrate and promote this culture of peace. The streets of Yaoundé were filled with peace builders last Friday. Each person carried a sign with a message against hate speech and in support of living together.
