Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
Victor’s eyes still hold the terror of his ordeal. He was kidnapped during a sacred ceremony in Mballam, a neighouring community to his Assoumindele 2 village in the south region of the country. From Mballam, he was immediately taken to Yaounde, and forced to sign a document he couldn’t read. His wife, left behind, was left to wonder if she would ever see her husband again.
The Baka man, whose name is known but will be kept anonymous for his safety, recounts his story with a mix of fear and determination as we visited their sacred zone found inside the Djoko community forest.
“I was taken from the ceremony, in the presence of the Divisional Officer of the land,” he says, his voice shaking. “They forced me to sign a document, but I didn’t know what it said. I was scared, and I didn’t know what would happen to me.”
The Baka man’s story is just one example of the many challenges faced by the Baka community in their community forest. The forest, which was meant to be a sanctuary for the Baka people, has become a battleground.
The 4,859-hectares of land that was once considered as their lifeblood, is now under siege from external forces. The Bantus, a dominant ethnic group in the region, are exploiting the forest’s resources, taking out wood and acquiring land.
“The Bantus are our major problems,” says Victor, pointing an accusing finger at them.
The president of the management committee of the Djoko community forest, Daniel Djindo, regrets the encroachment of the Bantus, who are exploiting the forest despite the initial objective of preserving the culture of the Baka people.
“We’ve tried to fix the situation, but it’s been in vain,” he says. “The Bantus are using our lack of literacy to lure us into signing documents giving out our forest.”
The Baka community has faced constant intimidation, with some of their houses being burnt for protesting the exploitation of the forest by the Bantus.
The president of the management committee alongside other key figures in the committee have been kidnapped on several occasions and forced to sign documents they can’t read.
Accusing fingers are pointing at some elite of the community for manipulating the Bakas to their favour. At one point the president of the management committee had to be dropped for another person because he was considered too vulnerable.
Reports have it that the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife has also been accused of having signed a document specially authorizing some Bantus to exploit the forest despite the initial objective of the community forest being to preserve the culture of the Baka people.
The mayor of the locality, Wilfried Nkwpalla, has expressed regret over the situation and asked for a better management of the forest. He acknowledges that some individuals are pulling the strings from behind, indicating a complex web of interests and corruption.
“We need a better management system, one that will protect the rights of the Baka people,” says the mayor. “But it’s difficult when some people are pulling the strings from behind.”
The mayor’s reaction suggests a desire to address the issues, but the challenge lies in implementing effective change.
The Last Stand of the Baka
When we entered the Djoko community forest that March 25th, 2025, a group of Baka men and women were sitting amidst the dwindling trees, their eyes filled with a deep sadness.
The once-thriving forest, granted to this community by the government as compensation for the loss of their ancestral lands, is now on the brink of collapse. The Bantu clan’s relentless encroachment has left the Baka community on the precipice of disaster.
The Baka’s lamentations echo through the forest, a desperate cry for help in a world that seems to have forgotten them.
The government’s promise to recognize and respect their rights to the forest has proven hollow, as the Bantu clan continues to exploit its resources and disrupt the delicate ecosystem.
“We’re fighting for our survival,” says a Baka community leader. “Our forest is our everything, and without it, we’re nothing.”
The Bantu’s actions are not only a threat to the Baka’s way of life but also to the forest’s very survival. The Baka community is pleading with the government to take action against the Bantu’s infringement and to protect their rights to their community forest.
They are calling for greater support and recognition from the government and international organizations to ensure preservation of their forest and their way of life.
“The Bantu clan is destroying our forest, and the government is doing nothing to stop them,” laments a Baka community member. “We’re on our own.”
“The situation in the Baka community forest is a stark reminder of the struggles faced by indigenous communities around the world,” says a representative from an international organization contacted on phone by News Upfront. “We need to do more to support their rights and protect their lands.”
Mitigating the challenges
The Baka community is pleading for help, seeking recognition and protection of their rights to their community forest. The traditional rulers of the locality regret the situation and have asked for a better management of the forest.
With the support of some NGOs and civil society organizations, the community has written severally to the powers that be to no avail. They have staged several public demonstrations most of which usually end up with some of them arrested by security forces.
“We lost one of our brothers who died after he was molested and sent to jail,” one of the community leaders told us. “Our brother was just defending our rights.”
To further address the challenges faced by the Baka community, it’s essential to empower them through capacity-building programs. Providing training and capacity-building initiatives can enhance their skills in sustainable forest management, advocacy, and leadership.
This will enable them to effectively participate in decision-making processes and ensure their voices are heard.
Advocating for policy reforms that recognize and protect the rights of indigenous communities like the Baka is crucial. Additionally, providing legal support and representation can help the community navigate the complexities of the legal system and assert their rights. This can involve working with local authorities, international organizations, and human rights groups to push for policy changes and ensure that the Baka community’s rights are respected.
Supporting the development of sustainable livelihoods for the Baka community can help reduce their dependence on external forces and promote economic self-sufficiency. Initiatives such as eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and forest-based enterprises can provide alternative income sources and help preserve the community’s cultural heritage. Ensuring that the Baka community receives fair economic benefits from the exploitation of their forest resources is also essential.
Providing education and training programs for the Baka community on their rights, sustainable forest management, and environmental conservation can help empower them to make informed decisions about their forest resources. Raising awareness about the challenges faced by the Baka community and the importance of protecting their rights and forest resources can also help build support and solidarity from the wider community.
