The Global Naga Forum (GNF) held its General Body Meeting and a solemn ‘Rite of Passage’ on February 21 at de Oriental Grand, Kohima, marking the completion of its first five year term from 2020 to 2025 and the installation of a new leadership team for 2026 to 2030. Members from across the Naga homeland and the global diaspora participated both in person and online.
The outgoing leadership comprising Prof Emeritus Paul Pimomo, Secretary, Ram Muivah, IAS Retd., Co Convenor, and James Pochury, General Secretary, were honoured for five years of service. Their tenure included fact finding missions to Oting and Khamoi, AFSPA walkathons and the Naga Solidarity Walk under the banner “One People, One Destiny,” as well as advocacy at the United Nations and in Geneva.
The newly inducted team includes Chuba Ozukum as Convenor, Prof Dr Rosemary Dzuvichu and Samuel Pou as Co-Convenors, Dr Venusa Tunyi as Secretary, Lakpachui Siro as General Secretary and Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu as Treasurer.
In his acceptance address, re-nominated Convener Ozukum said, “Leadership may change, officials may change, but the responsibility remains the same. GNF has never been about position; it has always been about shared responsibility.”
The Forum reiterated its commitment to pursuing a just and lasting Indo-Naga political settlement, sustained international advocacy at the UN and EU, campaign for the repeal of AFSPA, youth capacity-building through the Naga Civic Fellowship, and the financial independence of the Forum.
The GNF reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to peace as the precondition of justice, and to the democratic, non-violent path as the only path the Naga people will walk.