(Business in Cameroon) - Indigenous people in Cameroon just closed an exhibition on the living Baka museum in Mintom, southern region. A round table during the event was dedicated to the necessity to consult people living around the rubber project implemented by Sudcam, local subsidiary of Singaporean Halcyon Agri Corporation.

“We want to use this cultural festival to talk about our existence and the problems we face as Baka people. We are calling on the government to officially recognize our chiefs and give us administrative support to secure these 60,000 ha of forest land. This forest will eventually include a community forest and the living museum of the Baka people of Assok,” said Abila Bienvenue, Chief of the Baka Community of Assok. This demand is backed by Greenpeace Africa which is calling authorities to ensure that the rights of indigenous people are respected by actively integrating them into the ongoing reforms of land tenure and territory development review.

“The intrinsic link between the Baka people and their forest makes it imperative for them to be considered equal partners in forest management. This will help the Baka people to better defend their rights vis-a-vis developmental projects,” said Sylvie Djacbou, Greenpeace Africa Forest Campaigner.

S.A