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Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Uganda
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Regional Representatives :
Regional Representative: Vital BAMBANZE, Batwa, Burundi
Deputy Regional Representative: Leonard Fabrice ODAMBO, Bakoya, Gabon
Women's Representative : Hélène NZE ANDOU, Baka, Gabon
Background and Ethnic Overview
The indigenous peoples of Central Africa are forest-based hunter-foragers known collectively as 'Pygmies'. This term is used by some organisation but is considered pejorative by others. Indigenous peoples are genetically, culturally and economically distinct from their Bantu and other farmer neighbours. Though they likely preceded Bantu-speaking peoples by tens of thousands of years, they have in recent times existed in symbiotic relations with Bantu farmers, trading honey and meat out of the forest for agricultural produce.
During the precolonial era, Bantu speaking peoples took over parts of the indigenous territories. This was part of the massive expansion of agriculture and metallurgy across Africa. Indigenous economies were protected by the environmental conditions of the Equatorial rainforests which made agriculture difficult. Bantu and indigenous peoples came to live in a co-operative relationship with trade and one-way intermarriage.
There are between 300 000 and 500 000 indigenous forest based people in Central Africa from numerous ethnic and linguistic groups. Roughly, they are clustered in two regions- the Great Lakes between Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo and Burundi. These peoples are mostly Batwa and Bambuti; to the west is the Congo Basin with the second largest expanse of rainforest in the world. Indigenous peoples in the states include the Bagyeli, Bakola, Bakoya, Baka, Aka, Babenjelle, Bacwa, Babongo and others.
Indigenous peoples throughout Central Africa have a problem with realising their full citizenship. Those living in the forest often do not have birth certificates or national identity documents which makes it hard to access services such as clinics, hospitals or schools.
In recent times, with the great civil disturbances and armed conflicts in the Great Lakes, Pygmy peoples have become extremely vulnerable. During the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, one third of the Batwa population perished during a conflict that was waged by the majority ethnic groups. In 2003, the world was horrified by evidence that dominant combatant groups in DRC were cannibalising Pygmy civilians. The conflict continues into 2005, with Pygmy women being singled out for rape and abuse by rebel soldiers (See MRG report B Erase the Board).
The greatest achievements have been made in Burundi. Batwa activists have been integreated into the National Assembly and the Senate. The Minister of the Environment and Land Management, in her 2007 meeting with IPACC Executive members placed emphasis on the importance of an organised civil society which actively claims its rights of participation. In 2007, Vital BAMBANZE, Deputy Chair of IPACC was appointed to an important Land Commission investigating solutions for displaced and landless peoples in Burundi, including Batwa.
The worst case in Central Africa is neighbouring Burundi. For several years, the Republic of Rwanda has been attempting to shut down the local indigenous peoples' organisation, Community of Indigenous Rwandans (CAURWA). CAURWA emerged as an effective human rights and development organisation in the post-genocide period. Many Batwa were displaced and living in situations of extreme poverty and vulnerability. CAURWA set up a national network of field workers to help Batwa apply for land, access schools, clinics and other resources. CAURWA was lobbying the President's Office to include Batwa in the Senate. In 2005, Kigali suddenly reversed its support for CAURWA accusing them of promoting ethnicity and undermining national unity. CAURWA's legal status was annulled by the State, blocking CAURWA's ability to raise funds and help vulnerable rural people. Rwanda's behaviour is in evident violation of basic human rights and the African Charter.
In Chad, northern Cameroon and the Central African Republic, there are nomadic pastoralists who identify as indigenous peoples. Most of these peoples are part of the larger Fulani B Peul B Fulbe (equivalent terms) cultural system which spreads right across the Sahel and the Sahara. In 1992, the Mbororo people of Cameroon created the Mbororo Socio-Cultural and Development Association (MBOSCUDA). As with other herding peoples, the Mbororo have a distinctive culture and economy which has been marginalised from governance in preference to agricultural peoples.
MBOSCUDA has been one of the most dynamic indigenous peoples= organisations in Africa. It has both African Commission and UN ECOSOC observer status. Mboscuda has worked with the ILO to promote awareness of indigenous peoples= issues. Gender activism has been supported by Mboscuda and it helps operate one of the most effective regional branches of the African Indigenous Women=s Organisation (AIWO). Mboscuda has been active in building a dynamic civil society and making outreach to their Chadian and Central African neighbours. One of Mboscuda's important initiatives has been paralegal training for its members to protect them against arbitrary arrests and corruption.
Regional Review
2005 was a dramatic year for indigenous peoples in Central Africa. Burundi adopted its new constitution that includes guaranteed representation for indigenous Batwa people in both the Parliament and Senate. Gabon and Cameroon both signed World Bank Operational Director 4.1 which recognises indigenous peoples and creates mechanisms for consultation on development and environmental issues.
Across Central Africa a major concern is deforestation from logging. Private companies negotiate concessions where they are meant to do selective cutting but African governments cannot always monitor what happens in remote areas, and the results can be devastating to the environment and the forest peoples. The destruction of the forest canopy has a radical impact on the environment, leading a rapid loss of biodiversity and also endangering the lungs of the planet.
A major effort is being made by Western and African countries to slow down the devastation in the Congo Basin, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. In 2002, Gabon declared 13 national parks, including the vast Minkebe National Park within the Congo Basin. IPACC conducted a month long mission to Gabon visiting Pygmy communities to encourage them to enter into dialogue with government over the regulations relating to hunting, occupation and traditional practices in Parks and the periphery. (See Gabon section here). Baka people are also involved in WWF initiatives at Dzanga Sanga National Park in the Central African Republic. Newly formed Pygmy associations have been established in Cameroon but require organisational capacity support.
2007 Update
IPACC supported four major projects in Central Africa in 2007.
In April, IPACC's Executive Committee gathered in Bujumbura, Burundi for a strategic planning exercise on natural resources and the environment. The meeting was opened by the Minister of the Environment and Land Management. Later, IPACC leaders held meetings with the Minister and members of the Government, Senate and National Assembly. Burundi has rapidly emerged as one of the most progressive states in Africa with regards human rights and recognition of the needs of indigenous peoples.
IPACC will explore with Burundi the possibility of more training and policy dialogue on issues of deforestation, protection of biodiversity, resource rights and climate change.
In November 2007, IPACC sent a major delegation to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights held in Congo Republic. IPACC cooperated with the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights to run a training course on the UN Declaration and the African Charter for 25 indigenous activists in Brazzaville. IPACC members met with African states and ACHPR Commissioners to discuss the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Africa.
IPACC is supporting a project in Eastern DR Congo. Indigenous peoples are attempting to negotiate their rights in relation to the Kahuzi Biega National Park. IPACC is supporting workshops which include discussion of job creation and certification of traditional trackers. Batwa and Bambuti trackers are often used by conservation and anti-poaching units but without recognition or adequate remuneration.
IPACC conducted a mission in Gabon with the national indigenous peoples network. MINAPYGA was the first independent indigenous organisation in Gabon, started up by Leonard Fabrice Odambo, a Bakoya man who received higher education and is a journalist. MINAPYGA's focus is on development opportunities for the Bakoya around Mekambo, but through contact with IPACC it is taking on a wider role in national network building. MINAPYGA cooperates with other indigenous peoples' organisations including Association Edzengui in Minvuol, a Baka organisation.
In November 2007, MINAPYGA cooperated with the IPACC Secretariat and Wildlife Conservation Society to visit Babango and Mitsogho communities around Waka National Park in Ngounié province. MINAPYGA, IPACC and WCS will work together in 2008 to introduce Babongo villagers to the concept of creating and running their own association which can help protect their rights. The Babongo live almost exclusively off forest resources which are being threatened by Malaysian logging interests in the area.
In addition, the Republic of Congo hosted a major dialogue on the environment and indigenous rights in Central Africa. The event was held in Impfondo, a town in nothern Congo and involved diplomats, civil servants, indigenous peoples organisations and NGOs. The conference failed to agree on a joint statement and there was tension amongst delegates over natural resource rights.
In October, Kapupu Diwa Mutimanwa (DRC) and Zephyrin Kalimba (Rwanda) organised a visit to Gabon on behalf of the African Commission working group on Indigenous Issues.
- Discrimination is an everyday problem for Pygmy communities today in Central Africa. To read more see this IRIN article of April 2007.
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