Gabon joins African caravan to World Social Forum 2026 for ecological justice

This initiative brings together civil society organizations from Central Africa, including a delegation from Gabon, to advocate for issues related to land, water, and natural resource defense. Organized by the Global Convergence of Struggles for Land, Water, Seeds, and Forests in Central Africa CGLTE-AC, the pan-African caravan aims to foster exchange, learning, and advocacy on major ecological challenges in the sub-region. The caravan will travel through Cameroon, Nigeria, and Benin, serving as a pan-African mobilization within a global movement towards the 17th World Social Forum, scheduled for August 4-8, 2026, in Cotonou, Benin.

Local authorities, traditional leaders, and communities in Ngodi-Bakoko, Cameroon, welcomed the participants, highlighting local environmental concerns such as mangrove destruction and land grabbing by industrial companies. Valentin Epopa Bossambo, Mayor of Douala 3, and Arsène Ekouma Ekouma, Sub-Prefect of Douala 3, emphasized the importance of integrating economic development and environmental preservation into discussions. The Gabonese delegation, led by Christiane Nsa Mbegah of the NGO Réseau femme lève-toi Reflet, aims to enhance Gabon's international visibility, affirm its role in ecological resilience, and promote regional cooperation.

The caravan underscores the critical importance of access to land, water, and seeds for local