By Guy Feugap, World BEYOND War, June 10, 2024
On June 1st, two webinars were organized to officially launch some World BEYOND War chapters in Africa. The World BEYOND War movement continues to grow in the continent. We have 13 active chapters already, 6 of which have just been launched, including Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, South-Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Gambia, South Sudan and Kenya. The others are Burundi, Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
In Africa, the first WBW chapter was launched in November 2020 in Cameroon. In addition to establishing WBW in a country severely affected by war, the chapter also aimed to support emerging chapters and extend the organization’s vision across the continent. Through awareness-raising, coaching and networking, new chapters have emerged and others are in the process of being created. On January 1, 2024, WBW created the position of Africa Organizer, to foster organizing for peace in Africa.
Meet Our New Chapter Coordinators
Togo: Charlotte Kalanbani
Charlotte Kalanbani is an activist, founder of the NGO “Initiatives positives TCHEWAI” and coordinator of the Togolese chapter of WBW. She is also a member of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), of which she is Secretary General for the Togo Section. At WILFP International, she is a member of the environmental working group. She is also a trade unionist and works with Public Services International (PSI), where she is Administrator of the Togo-based Regional Office for Africa and Arab Countries.
Côte d’Ivoire: Hervé Roland Miahoré
Miahoré Hervé Roland is the Coordinator of the Ivorian chapter of WBW and President of the NGO ACIS (Actions pour la Culture, l’Intégration et la Sensibilisation), an organization committed to promoting positive actions towards others and the planet. He is a passionate advocate of charity work. He works actively to promote mutual aid, solidarity and environmental protection for sustainable development. Committed to peace in his country, Mr. Miahoré organizes the annual Cocody Peace Expo. This event brings together renowned Ivorian painters to create works of art inspired by peace and the Sustainable Development Goals.
South-Kivu, DRC: Leon Mkangya Alenga
Born in Kilimbalimba on June 07, 1971, Leon Mkangya Alenga is Coordinator of the Peace Organization for Development Opportunities OPOD asbl/World BEYOND War in Democratic Republic of Congo (OPOD asbl/WBW DRC). He is an Expert in Reflection on the Practice of Peace (RPP) and a Facilitator in the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP). Former Field Coordinator for the Change Agent Peace Program (CAPP/ Quaker Service Norway) in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gambia: Omar Mboob
Omar Mboob is a Youth leader and Activist who started the World BEYOND War chapter in Gambia. He is passionate for advocating SDGs and is a specialist in youth development and Social Justice. Omar is a Youth development African Award Nominee 2023, Founder of Gambia Youth Leadership Activist Advocacy (GYLAA), National Coordinator for African Youth Leadership Hub Gambia Chapter. He is Head of Advocacy for Equal Trade Alliance Gambia, TAWER AFRICA Ambassador.
South Sudan: Charles George Onen
Charles George Onen is from South Sudan. He has a degree in Public Administration and Management and Diploma in Food Security and Livelihoods. Currently, he is working for an organization called SUPPORT FOR WOMAN IN GOVERNANCE ORGANIZATION as a program Manager. He is the founder of Agri-Edu and community Link Network.
Kenya: James Samson Owaka
James Samson Owaka is a Peace Practitioner & Social Justice activist with over 10 years standing. He is the Executive Director at CPSS Africa, a Regional Peace & Security Organization implementing programmes within East/Horn of Africa Region.
