In the northern region of Cameroon, the religious landscape is shifting rapidly. The rise of strict Christian and Islamic movements has only deepened the tensions between religious groups. Combined with ongoing ethnic conflicts and the persistent violence of Boko Haram, this has created a volatile environment marked by insecurity and intolerance. Against this backdrop, we have, in recent years, worked alongside the Human Security Collective and local partners to implement the Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) III project. Our goal: to reduce tensions and promote religious tolerance. 

The problem

In Northern Cameroon, people live daily under the shadow of deep-seated religious tensions and violence, further exacerbated by the terror inflicted by Boko Haram. Christians and Muslims live apart, distrust one another, and avoid contact for fear of violence or exclusion. Families are torn apart by this division; marrying someone of a different faith is nearly impossible without facing ostracism from your family. Children grow up in a climate of fear, where hostility towards those of another religion is the norm. This harsh reality traps communities in a vicious cycle of hate and mistrust, making peaceful coexistence seem almost unattainable.

“Because of Boko Haram, I became afraid of Muslims,” says Abakar, a 26-year-old Catholic from Godola. He grew up in a village where Christians and Muslims avoided each other out of fear and mistrust. “It’s almost impossible to interact with someone outside your community. And marrying outside your religious group? That means being disowned by your family,” he explains. “There was always conflict over who should be the new district chief: Muslims wanted a Muslim, Christians wanted a Christian. They could never agree,” says Salihou, a 29-year-old Muslim. “People of different religions avoid each other on the street; it’s seen as strange if a Christian hugs a Muslim.” This deep divide between religious communities in Cameroon affects nearly every aspect of life and makes collaboration difficult. 

Our approach

FoRB III focused on reducing these tensions by establishing interreligious peace committees in various villages, including Godola. These committees brought together people of different faiths and religious leaders to work on raising awareness, fostering dialogue, and promoting collaboration. Participants received training in leadership, conflict resolution, and human rights, with the aim of building bridges between the different faith groups.

M. Temwa, a religious leader from Blangoua, witnessed firsthand the impact this had in his village. “Through FoRB III, I became part of the peace committee in Blangoua in 2020. The relationship between Christians and Muslims was very poor; even children fought at school because of their religion,” he recalls. Thanks to the committee’s activities, I have seen a clear change in mentality. “People from different religious backgrounds now play together, celebrate holidays with each other, and work together in projects like farming,” says M. Temwa. “I have also changed; my prejudices and mistrust towards other religions have disappeared.” 

The impact

The peace committees have brought about significant changes in the communities where they are active, including in Godola, where Christians and Muslims now work together on community projects—something that was previously unthinkable. Abakar shares, “At first, it was difficult to bring the groups together, but by cleaning public spaces, churches, and mosques together, we showed that cooperation is possible.” Salihou adds, “People were surprised when they saw us working together, but over time, they began to join us.”

Despite this progress, challenges remain. In some cases, such as a recent conflict over a football team in Godola, the struggle between religious groups persists. However, the peace committees offer hope. “The idea that one religion is superior to another is starting to disappear,” says Salihou. “If we continue these efforts, we can bring about change step by step.” 

Hope for the future

The FoRB III project has shown that lasting change is possible, even in regions with a complex history of religious tensions. By promoting dialogue and cooperation, the peace committees in Northern Cameroon have contributed to restoring trust and understanding between Christians and Muslims. The path to peace is long and fraught with obstacles, but the steps taken point towards a future where respect and equality become the norm.

People like M. Temwa, Abakar, and Salihou play a crucial role in this journey. Their experiences show that with patience, perseverance, and a willingness to listen to each other, peace and reconciliation are possible. Although FoRB III has now concluded, the lessons learned and the networks established continue to contribute to a peaceful future for Cameroon, where interreligious cooperation is no longer a utopia but a reality lived every day.