Marginalization of Indigenous Communities in Rural Cameroon Due to Lack of Birth Certificates

Marginalization of Indigenous Communities in Rural Cameroon Due to Lack of Birth Certificates

In rural Cameroon, the Baka and Bagyieli Indigenous communities face significant challenges due to their lack of birth certificates. Historically, these groups have lived harmoniously with the forests of central Africa, but recent mining, logging, and conservation efforts have forced them from their ancestral lands.

Many Baka families, like that of 78-year-old Rebecca Gwampiel, feel life was better in the forest. Their current situation is often precarious, as they now reside along roadsides, adapting to a lifestyle far removed from their traditions. Children, such as 11-year-old Francis, express aspirations for the future, but many face barriers because they lack official documentation.

Without birth certificates, members of the Baka community cannot obtain national identity documents, which limits their access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Bertrand Akomi, Francis’ father, highlights this issue, explaining how the absence of a birth certificate prevented him from securing a job with a lumber company.

The situation affects over 120,000 individuals in these communities. Banmi Emmanuel Dingha, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Cameroon’s National Assembly, emphasized the importance of registration for recognizing citizenship and accessing basic rights.

Recently, Cameroon’s parliament passed a bill aimed at improving the situation for stateless individuals, a move seen as a significant step toward reducing discrimination. This aligns with broader commitments made by African nations to tackle statelessness on the continent.

However, challenges remain, as many Indigenous people face difficulties when interacting with authorities, often needing to bribe officials for basic travel needs due to the lack of identification. Efforts to raise awareness and provide support for obtaining nationality documents continue, but the urgency of these issues remains critical.

Source: Africa News