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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. Pygmy 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 Pygmy territories. This was part of the massive expansion of agriculture and metallurgy across Africa. The indigenous peoples lived by hunting and gathering or in some areas, by nomadic pastoralism. Indigenous economies were protected by the environmental conditions of the Equatorial rainforests which made agriculture difficult. Bantu and Pygmy peoples came to live in a co-operative relationship with trade and one way intermarriage.

In the Great Lakes, under the Tutsi kings, some Batwa Pygmies served in the court as entertainers, potters and even as Royal bodyguards. During the colonial and postcolonial periods most Pygmies were ignored during state formation and economically marginalised. Due to the absence of birth certificates, Pygmies in some countries were not considered to be real citizens. Post-independence economic policies have been built on the assumption that development requires villagisation and sedenterisation. Sedenterisation has brought problems for indigenous peoples and generally reduced their autonomy and health situation.

In more 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 Pygmy 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).

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.

2005 Update

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 Pygmies 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.

Highlights

* Burundi adopted a new Constitution enshrining political representation in Parliament and Senate for Batwa Pygmies;
* Gabon and Cameroon formally recognise the presence of indigenous peoples in their respective countries and have signed World Bank Operational Directive 4.1
* UNEP and the World Bank release a detailed report on the situation of indigenous peoples in Gabon;
* The Great Lakes region needs urgent attention to stop armed conflict and protect the human rights of indigenous and local peoples;
* The Congo Basin needs urgent attention to protect the biodiversity of the region and governments and conservation agencies need to improve their capacity to work with indigenous peoples to maintain their cultures and economies in harmony with nature conservation;
* Since the last elections, the Rwandan government has been backtracking on its tolerance of the Communauté des Autochtones Rwandais (CAURWA) B the biggest Batwa run NGO in the region. The president=s office had been discussing the inclusion of the Batwa in the Senate. Now various ministries are attempting to ban CAURWA on the basis that it works for a specific ethnic constituency.
* Numerous international agencies are stakeholders in the Congo Basin but there is no co-ordination between NGOs which put indigenous people in a difficult position. There needs to be greater co-ordination between NGOs and indigenous peoples;
* Economic and property rights policies need to take account of indigenous peoples and their migrations. Pastoralists are losing land and their livelihoods are being threatened by laws that favour sedentary agricultural peoples;
* Urgent attention is needed to include Pygmies as stakeholders in reserves and national parks, throughout the region
* Central African states need to formalise recognition of indigenous knowledge and skills, so that highly skilled indigenous trackers can be properly assessed, accredited and remunerated when working as trackers
* UNESCO is supporting indigenous cultural heritage projects in Gabon, Cameroon, Congo Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo;
* There are now three nationally recognised Pygmy organisations in Gabon: MINAPYGA, Edzengui and ADCPPG
* Burundian Batwa leader, Vital Bambanze was elected by the African Caucus to participate in the World Bank Small Grants selection committee
* IPACC funded UNIPROBA to remain in contact with PIDP-Kivu (DRC) and CAURWA (RWA) to plan their regional advocacy strategy;
* There is some evidence of organising Pygmy civil society in Cameroon. Forest Peoples Programme have been making outreach to Baka people in the SE province as well as a visit to Minvoul, Gabon;
* Ugandan Batwa remain vulnerable after having been expelled from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Parks in Uganda