Civil society, peacebuilding from below and shrinking civic space: the case of Cameroon’s ‘Anglophone’ conflict

IF 1.1 Q3 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Conflict Security & Development Pub Date : 2021-11-02 DOI:10.1080/14678802.2021.1997454
N. Annan, Maurice Beseng, G. Crawford, James Kiven Kewir
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引用次数: 6

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the current conflict in Anglophone Cameroon and examines the role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in conflict resolution. In doing so, it explores a paradox in the peacebuilding literature. On the one hand, the ‘local turn’ in peacebuilding has emphasised a bottom-up approach that highlights the role of CSOs. On the other hand, the literature on ‘shrinking civic space’ has demonstrated how space for CSOs’ activities has become increasingly restricted, especially in authoritarian contexts like Cameroon. The article investigates the contributions of CSOs to conflict resolution, the constraints faced, and their responses in turn to mitigate such constraints. CSOs’ contribution to conflict resolution is at least three-fold: to engage with most-affected communities and build an evidence base of the conflict’s adverse consequences for civilians; to draw national and international attention to the conflict; and to maintain pressure for a negotiated settlement through public protests and interactions with both government and non-state armed groups. Despite facing intimidation and violence at times, CSOs have responded in innovative ways that demonstrate examples of adaptation and resistance to shrinking civic space.
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公民社会、自下而上的和平建设和不断缩小的公民空间:喀麦隆“英语国家”冲突的案例
本文关注喀麦隆英语国家当前的冲突,并探讨民间社会组织(cso)在解决冲突中的作用。在此过程中,它探讨了建设和平文献中的一个悖论。一方面,和平建设中的“地方转向”强调了自下而上的方法,强调了公民社会组织的作用。另一方面,有关“公民空间萎缩”的文献显示,公民社会组织活动的空间日益受到限制,特别是在喀麦隆等威权国家。本文研究了公民社会组织对解决冲突的贡献、面临的约束以及他们缓解这些约束的反应。民间社会组织对解决冲突的贡献至少有三方面:与受影响最严重的社区接触,并建立冲突对平民不利后果的证据基础;引起国内和国际对冲突的注意;并通过公众抗议和与政府和非国家武装团体的互动,为谈判解决问题保持压力。尽管有时面临恐吓和暴力,公民社会组织以创新的方式作出回应,展示了适应和抵制公民空间缩小的例子。
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来源期刊
Conflict Security & Development
Conflict Security & Development INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS-
CiteScore
2.90
自引率
7.70%
发文量
22
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