The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) has awarded its prestigious Peace Man of the Year 2025 honour to renowned peace advocate and development practitioner Fon Nsoh, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to peacebuilding and social cohesion in Cameroon’s conflict-affected communities.
The award was officially handed over on Saturday, December 19, 2025, at the Synod Office Hall in Buea, during a solemn ceremony presided over by the Moderator of the PCC, The Rt. Rev. Miki Hans Abia. The distinction was conferred through the Peace Office of the PCC, which annually recognizes individuals whose work has significantly advanced peace, justice, and reconciliation.
Presenting the certificate, the Moderator praised Fon Nsoh’s unwavering commitment to non-violence and inclusive dialogue. The citation reads in part: “This certificate of recognition is proudly presented to Fon Nsoh in heartfelt appreciation of your remarkable dedication to advancing peace and social cohesion in Cameroon. We are delighted to recognize you as the Peace Man of the Year 2025.” The document was signed by The Rt. Rev. Miki Hans Abia.
A Response to a Complex Conflict Landscape
Fon Nsoh’s recognition comes against the backdrop of a deeply complex and protracted conflict environment in Cameroon’s North West Region, marked by intertribal disputes, farmer-herder conflicts, political tensions, and the lingering effects of colonial-era linguistic divisions. These challenges have been compounded in recent years by socio-economic hardship and the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, which erupted in 2016 and escalated into armed conflict by late 2017.
The crisis has led to widespread displacement, disruptions to education, kidnappings, and targeted attacks on civilians, particularly in divisions such as Bui, Momo, Mezam, Boyo, and Ngoketunjia.
Other areas, including Donga-Mantung and Menchum, continue to grapple with violent farmer–grazer conflicts, some with cross-border dimensions involving armed groups from neighbouring Nigeria.
COMINSUD and Grassroots Peacebuilding
It is within this challenging context that Community Initiative for Sustainable Development (COMINSUD), a Bamenda-based non-governmental organization coordinated by Fon Nsoh, has been actively engaged in peacebuilding since 2014, with support from Bread for the World, Germany.
COMINSUD’s work is rooted in community peacebuilding and conflict transformation, with a strong focus on empowering community peacebuilders and youth leaders. The organization promotes the core values of positivity, equality, inclusion, tolerance, and non-violence as foundations for just and peaceful societies.
Among Fon Nsoh’s most notable peace initiatives is the Back-to-School Campaign (2018–2020), launched at the height of school boycotts during the Anglophone Crisis, when fewer than 10 percent of schools were operational.
Through stakeholder dialogues, media advocacy, and engagement with local and diaspora actors, the campaign helped reopen spaces for education amid insecurity.
Another landmark effort is the Campaign for Just and Peaceful Societies (2017–2025), through which more than 250 community peace builders and youth leaders have been trained and mobilized across the North West Region to reduce violence and alleviate civilian suffering.
A Lifetime of Service
Born on September 1, 1969, in Mankon, Bamenda, Fon Nsoh is an educationist and development practitioner with over 29 years of experience in community transformation. His expertise spans sustainable livelihoods, environmental and resource management, local governance, human rights, humanitarian action, and peacebuilding.
He is a founding member and current coordinator of COMINSUD and an active member of the Civil Peace Service Bread for the World Partners’ Network Cameroon, which brings together 17 civil society and faith-based organizations.
As a focal person for the network in the North West Region, he has championed peace education among youth in both school and non-school settings, while promoting a shared national identity.
Recognition Beyond the Individual
In honouring Fon Nsoh, the PCC underscored the vital role of grassroots actors in fostering peace in times of crisis. Church leaders at the event noted that the award not only celebrates an individual’s dedication but also serves as encouragement to communities and organizations working tirelessly to restore hope, dialogue, and coexistence.
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