Lawyer and human rights advocate Nkongho Felix Agbor says the South West community dialogue chaired by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute on September 28, 2026, must be followed by sustained consultations with people most affected by the conflict.

Agbor, who attended Monday’s dialogue in Buea, said he chose to listen rather than speak and welcomed the prime minister’s willingness to engage stakeholders on peace.

But he cautioned that the value of the meeting would depend on what happens after participants leave the room.

“We must hear from those most affected,” Agbor said, calling for displaced families, women, young people, teachers and others living with the effects of the conflict to have meaningful avenues to participate in the peace process.

He said their concerns should be “recorded, answered and followed up,” while difficult issues surrounding political participation, trust, grievances and continued violence must also be addressed.

Agbor said attacks on civilians cannot be justified but added that lasting peace requires addressing the relationship between political participation, the legitimacy of leaders and the risk of violence when people feel they lack a meaningful voice.

He described Monday’s meeting as a potentially important beginning, but said “one meeting cannot settle these questions.”

Agbor also called for a similar dialogue opportunity in the North West Region, stressing that sustained community engagement, clear follow-up and honest reporting on commitments would be necessary to turn the dialogue into tangible change.