We are tired of living in fear!!!!!!

For the past four years the North and south West Region of Cameroon have been terribly affected by the sociopolitical crisis. Almost every household have experienced one form of violence or the other. My family have been victim of abduction, arrest and extreme fear.
I still have Scarry memories of that fateful day in March this year. Schools were suddenly closed down because of the out break of the corona virus. My husband and I picked up our two sons, brought them home  had to rush out for the day's commitment. I returned home at 3pm and immediately I sat down to talk to one of my them and a neighborhood who had come in to greet them, a bike drove into my compound. My neighbor whispered \" Mum its the boys\" My heart almost jump out of my chest I was in panic, tensed up I walked to the door were I met with a fierce looking boy. Where is your husband he asked in a deep but loud voice and with a lot of authority. I have come to take your children because they are students. In desperation I went down on my knees  begging. They insisted, then I begged them to take me instead. They agreed. I went into the house to  collect my Rosary so I can be praying. On coming out they changed their minds. They ordered my children on the bike and collected my phone. I wept and begged and even took off my cloths in desperation. I was ready to do anything in exchange for my children's freedom. They drove off with them to an unknown destination, got them well beaten  and released them late at night after collecting a ransom. Their crime was they were exercising their fundamental human right to education.

My heart bleed for some of our children in Kumba who went to school and never returned home. What crime did they commit?

Thousands of families have the same story to tell. In addition some have members who have lost their loved ones, jobs, house and even lives.

persons living with disabilities have also had their dose of suffering and are most affected.

Persons living with hearing impairment can't even hear the sound of the gun and are constantly being caught in cross fire shoot outs.

So many times persons with visual impairment have had to be dragged along to unknown destinations by people who are trying to escape from danger.. And sometimes some are abandoned.

Some persons who are physically challenged have been abandoned by family members or care givers who are struggling to escape to the bushes for safety. Some of these homes have been burnt down together with these persons.

corpses of some mentally challenged persons have been found laying on the streets with no one to account for their deaths.

Some days have been marked by hours of continues gun firing . As a result people (I)  have had to spend nights on the flour as a safety measure.

We can go on and on with the list of horrible happenings in this two Regions. This place is too scary to be called home!!!!!

We need an urgent return to peace. This can only be accomplished by each one of us taking our responsibility.

At the level of the family, parents must continually discussion with their children on violence and its implication.

The United nations and other stakeholders should mediate in a national inclusive dialogue were everyone will be represented and have a say also. This dialogue must be with no preconditions.

People should use the social media more responsibly to spread positive  messages of peace and not of hate.

We need peace in Cameroon

#AreturnToPeace

#Cameroon needs peace