The Banens unanimously oppose to the sale of their ancestral lands by the state
The delegations of different Banen collectives (“Les Banen disent NON”, “Missi Yi Benen”,….) have notified the Cameroonian Ministry of Forests and Wildlife of the categorical opposition of the indigenous populations to the expropriation of the EBO forest.
The opposition of the various banen collectives follows the will of the Cameroonian Ministry of Forests and Wildlife to launch a public notice for the classification of 64,835 ha in the State’s private sector in order to make it a concession of around thirty Forest Management (Unités Forestières d’Aménagement (UFA)) on February 4, 2020.
This project immediately aroused concern and uncertainty among the Banen. This led them to mobilize and organize themselves so as to make their voices heard in order to oppose the ongoing expropriation process. And, to defend their inalienable rights over their ancestral heritage and to safeguard the interests of future generations.
It should be noted that a similar procedure was started in 2006 and faced opposition from the Banen daughters and sons, the state withdrew. This new public notice of classification requires a strong mobilization so that finally the populations evicted by the war almost 60 years ago, find their roots.