This month, the Christensen Fund organized a convening in Nanyuki, Kenya, bringing together thirty-two partner organizations from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, and Ethiopia. Self-determination, the right of Indigenous Peoples to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development, formed the central theme of the gathering. We recognize self-determination as a core right of Indigenous Peoples to maintain their traditional ways of life, protect their lands and resources, and participate fully in decisions affecting their futures.
The gathering focused on several critical themes intrinsically linked to self-determination: land rights and pastoral issues, wildlife conservation, carbon trading, green energy transition, and climate change. Partners explored these topics through the lens of how they impact Indigenous Peoples’ ability to exercise self-determination, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. Partners shared strategies, successes, and ongoing challenges in their efforts to empower Indigenous communities to control their own destinies.
Our gathering coincided with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, allowing us to celebrate together in person at IMPACT Kenya, and further emphasized the global significance of Indigenous self-determination and the need for continued support and advocacy.
We understand that the right to self-determination requires ongoing support, resources, and collaboration. Our gathering sought to support the collective capacity of our incredible partners who work every day to advance Indigenous self-determination across Africa. We are humbled to see the ripple effect of empowerment across Indigenous communities in Africa, furthering the cause of self-determination and sustainable outcomes in our interconnected world.
Above: Basiru Isu, Secretary General of the Network of Indigenous and Local Communities, Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa (REPALEAC) and Indigenous Leader with The Christensen Fund; Hussein Tadicha, Executive Director, Centre for Research and Development in Drylands (CRDD); Daniel Kobei, Founder and Executive Director, Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program (OPDP); Eileen Wakesho– Director, Community Land Protection, Namati.
We are honored by the presence of our amazing partners. As Hassan Roba reflected, “Beyond addressing major obstacles affecting Indigenous Peoples’ self determination in Africa, the gathering has helped our partners to realize the power and opportunities of building solidarity towards a just cause. What remains are actions that would lead toward achieving these goals.”
