On December 5th, in Djangué, a locality located in the Messok District, the Dédé Kaolé Association marked the International Day of Soil Rights with a crucial awareness campaign on the right to land, a subject of paramount importance for indigenous peoples..
The event was led by Nkopani Iveric, coordinator of the Dadé Kaolé Association, accompanied by GBamisso Valère, deputy coordinator. Together, they conducted a session dedicated to informing and raising awareness among local communities about their land rights in the face of increasing threats of land expropriation for the benefit of logging companies.
Indigenous peoples, often regarded as the first inhabitants of many regions, regularly face the dispossession of their lands. These expropriations often occur for the benefit of large companies, particularly those operating in the forestry sector, which do not hesitate to invade their territories to carry out profitable projects, disregarding the ancestral rights of the communities..
The campaign was a space for reflection and exchanges on these issues. The objective was to remind that access to land is a fundamental right of indigenous peoples, essential for their survival, culture, and economic autonomy..
A Struggle for the Preservation of Land Rights
On this day, it was emphasized that the protection of Indigenous peoples' lands is a struggle that must be fought on two fronts:
- Community awareness: Indigenous peoples must understand and know their land rights in order to defend themselves against unjust expropriation projects..
- The denunciation of expropriation practices: The event allowed for a strong condemnation of the expropriation practices carried out by logging companies and highlighted the need for a protective legal framework for indigenous lands..
This campaign has not only been an opportunity to raise awareness among local communities about their rights, but it has also called for collective action to put an end to these abusive and unjust expropriations. The Dadé Kaolé Association has reaffirmed its commitment to continue defending the rights of indigenous peoples and to work to ensure that their voices are heard in national and international discussions on land rights..
Nkopani Iveric and GBamisso Valère emphasized the importance of unity among indigenous peoples in protecting their lands and preserving their cultures. According to them, it is only by staying united and informed that communities can fend off these attacks and demand the land justice they deserve..