Cameroon has gained international recognition at the V Ministerial Conference on Feminist Foreign Policy held in Madrid, Spain, where global leaders, diplomats, policymakers, researchers, peacebuilders, and civil society representatives convened to discuss the future of democracy, peace, security, and inclusive governance.
Representing Cameroon, renowned peacebuilder and humanitarian leader Omam Esther Eringo Cha Ekombo participated in a high-level roundtable discussion titled “The Unique Contribution of African Women to Mediation.” She joined distinguished women peacebuilders from Mali, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in sharing experiences from some of Africa’s most challenging conflict and post-conflict environments.
The session attracted high-level international attention, including the participation of José Manuel Albares, reflecting growing global recognition of the vital role women play in mediation, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding.
Drawing from the realities of the ongoing crisis in Cameroon, Omam Esther highlighted the indispensable role grassroots women continue to play in promoting dialogue, rebuilding trust, reducing tensions, fostering reconciliation, and strengthening peaceful coexistence in divided communities.
“Peace is not only negotiated in conference rooms. Sometimes it begins around a pot of soup, a community gathering, or a conversation between women determined to prevent violence and preserve the social fabric of their communities,” she told participants.
Her remarks underscored a key message echoed throughout the conference: African women are not merely beneficiaries of peace processes but active architects of peace, often leading transformative efforts at community level where formal negotiations have limited reach.
Participants exchanged lessons learned from mediation initiatives, community dialogue programs, reconciliation efforts, and women-led conflict prevention mechanisms. The discussions highlighted the importance of local knowledge and lived experiences in building sustainable peace.
The conference also served as a platform for strengthening partnerships among governments, international organizations, researchers, and civil society actors committed to advancing women’s meaningful participation in peace and security processes worldwide.
A Global Voice for Peace
Omam Esther Eringo Cha Ekombo is the Executive Director of Reach Out Cameroon and a doctoral candidate in Diplomacy and Conflict Management. She serves as one of the two Special Rapporteurs of the National Women’s Peace Convention in Cameroon and is widely recognized for her contributions to women-led peacebuilding initiatives.
Her international leadership roles include serving as Vice Chair of the Board of the Continental Women Business Association in Africa, G100 Cameroon Country Chair for Mentoring and Motivation, and Civil Society Board Member of the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund.
Through her work, she has championed grassroots peacebuilding, humanitarian response, women’s economic empowerment, mediation, and social cohesion initiatives that continue to impact communities across Cameroon and beyond.
Cameroon’s Message to the World
Cameroon’s participation at the Madrid conference reaffirmed the importance of locally led peacebuilding efforts and highlighted the indispensable role women play in preventing conflict, mediating disputes, promoting social cohesion, and advancing sustainable peace.
As global conversations on peace and security continue to evolve, the experiences shared by African women peacebuilders served as a powerful reminder that lasting peace is strongest when women are fully included in shaping it.
Fabris KEHDINGA in YAOUNDE
