Cameroon’s government has denied choosing any foreign intermediaries to mediate in the conflict that has been pitting the state and separatist militias in the two Anglophone regions–Northwest and Southwest–since 2017, days after Canada announced it had been chosen to facilitate a settlement.
«The Government of the Republic of Cameroon informs the national and international community that it has not entrusted any foreign country or entity with any mediating role to resolve the crisis in the North West and South West regions,» begins the communiqué signed by the Minister of Information, René Sadi.
In this regard, Sadi has recalled that it is up to Cameroonians, institutions and their freely elected leaders to «seek the appropriate ways and means» to address the problems facing the country and has given as an example the national dialogue established in Yaoundé since 2019.
However, the Cameroonian authorities wanted to thank «friendly countries» and international institutions for the interest they have shown in this conflict and encouraged them to continue sending their support in different areas.
«The Government urges friendly countries to trace and bring to Justice those who from abroad are financing and spurring violence in our country,» said the communiqué which thanked the United States for the actions it has taken so far to bring back those who perpetrate these acts.
Last week, the Canadian Foreign Ministry issued a note thanking Canada for having been chosen by the parties to the conflict to «facilitate» the negotiation process.
Cameroon’s Anglophone regions–Northwest and Southwest–have been rocked by conflict following the crackdown on separatist movements following Ambazonia’s self-proclamation of independence on October 1, 2017.
The previous year, this area–formerly part of British colonies in Africa but which decided to join French Cameroon–was the scene of peaceful protests to demand greater autonomy or independence arguing discrimination by central authorities, also on language issues.
Since then, armed groups have proliferated and support for the separatists, hitherto rather marginal, has increased. The government has responded with a harsh crackdown, during which human rights organizations have accused the security forces of committing atrocities.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
