The German Africa Prize has been awarded to the 1st National Women’s Convention for Peace in Cameroon, an umbrella organization with 80 member organizations. This was announced by German Stated-Owned broadcaster company, Deutsche Welle.

The women’s group for peace is the largest and most-far reaching network of women’s organization focusing on peace in Cameroon. It was established in January 2021 and is made up of organizations representing the 10 regions of Cameroon, as well as up to 25 distinct social ctaegories of women.

The women demanded a quick end to hostilities, the resumption of negotiations between the government and separatists in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, a seat at the negotiating table for women, the development of psychosocial support facilities for war victims in conflict zones, and the strengthening of DDR centers.

For 45 years, the German Foundation has worked to improve ties between Germany and Africa. The German Africa Prize has been given by the foundation since 1993 to outstanding African individuals who have made great achievements to democracy, peace, human rights, the arts and culture, economic development, research, and society.

English-speaking separatists in Cameroon started their uprising in 2017 as a result of what they claim were years of persecution by the majority-French population of the nation. According to the International Crisis Group, more than 6,000 people have died in the violence and more than 760,000 have been displaced.

Thirty women who had been abducted by rebels supporting independence were recently freed, some of whom had suffered significant injuries. According to Deutsche Welle, the women were taken hostage a few days prior to their release on May 24, 2023. Fon Kevin Shumitang, a well-known traditional leader in the unrest-plagued Northwest, was also released after 18 months of separatist captivity. However, the separatist forces insist that they freed the traditional monarch, despite government officials’ claims to the contrary.

A delegation of three women was appointed to represent it at the ceremony of the official announcement of the winner for 2023. They were given the award on Tuesday 6th June at the German Embassy in Cameroon, in the presence of the Secretary General of the German Foundation for Africa and several other dignitaries from Cameroon. 

According to the Executive Director of the NGO Reach, Esther Omam said “This prize represents the efforts of the women of the National Convention for Peace in Cameroon.” It is a victory, she said.