Since Cameroon's
President made a declaration on the Southern Cameroons crisis on September 9 2019, there are strong indications that
President Biya may have poured fuel to the crisis that he tries to address.
Reading the entire
speech and speaking to many Southern Cameroonians/Ambazonians, the feeling we get is that
Mr Biya is yet to grasp the gravity of the situation by trying to make the war
look as if it would take what he called 'national dialogue' to address it.
Besides, by asking who
he was to dialogue with and at the same time calling for dialogue, appointing a
powerless Prime Minister to handle the matter, there is serious
contradiction. A cross section of
Southern Cameroonians do not trust the regime which is often seen violating its
own laws or not implementing same. How did article 47 of the Federal
constitution which said the form of the state would not be touched, was changed
overnight remains a mystery.
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Again how can Mr Biya
call for dialogue without involving the diaspora whom he himself said were
responsible and controlling the young boys and girls who have taken up arms
against his rogue state and defending themselves? Would it not
have been wise to grant clemency and allow these people he calls terrorists to
the dialogue table for trust to be built?
In addition how does he seek to end the crisis by asking governments
around the world to arrest and deport the front line leaders to his
dungeons? Is he really honest to end the
crisis with the threats he issued in his address?
Is the crisis going to
just be ended by dialogue without any guarantees that resolutions would be
implemented? Who builds the houses in the more than 200 villages burnt down?
Why keep people who could help calm down the tension in jail and some in exile?
No one in his right
senses, not even this reporter can condone violence or or killing of security and defense forces. But I think Mr Biya's call
for dialogue is just cosmetic and adding fuel to the war he declared. At some point it looks like he was addressing the international community not the people who are in pain. In my view the conflict
would not end easily if Mr Biya is not honest to address the root causes of the
crisis once and for all and with some third party guarantees. on involvement. Trust between the Anglophones and the French Cameroun regime and leadership has been broken. It requires honesty
to build it than just calling for dialogue after three years of killing
innocent people who were only asking for their basic rights to freedom.
From a fair point of view it looks like the outcome of the dialogue is already known.
From a fair point of view it looks like the outcome of the dialogue is already known.
More analysis and more news would be
up in days ahead. Find Below Mr Biya's full speech.
Fellow Cameroonians,
My Dear Compatriots,
For close to three
years now, the North-West and South-West Regions of our country have been going
through a crisis that not only jeopardizes the safety and
well-being of the population living there, but also has far-reaching consequences
for the national community as a whole.
It should be recalled
that the crisis was triggered by corporate demands made by lawyers and teachers
calling for the translation of the OHADA Uniform Acts into English and the
preservation of the specificity of the Anglo-Saxon judicial and educational
systems in the two regions.
From the outset, and
true to an option that I hold dear, I instructed the holding of dialogue
between the Government and trade unions to seek appropriate solutions to these
demands. The measures taken by the Government at the end of these consultations
went well beyond the initial demands and include:
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- the creation of a
Common Law Section at the Supreme Court to handle appeals filed against the
decisions of lower courts in Common Law matters;
- regarding the
training of judicial and legal officers, the creation of a Common Law Section
at the National School of Administration and Magistracy. This measure was
accompanied by a programme for the recruitment of English-speaking pupil
judicial and legal officers and court registrars;
- the launching of the
special recruitment of bilingual teachers in secondary schools;
- at the level of the
judiciary, the stay of proceedings against some persons arrested in connection
with the demands;
- the setting up of a
national Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and
Multi-culturalism to, among other things, carry out an in-depth review of all
the sources of frustration suffered by our compatriots in the North-West
and South-West Regions.
Decisions were taken
subsequently to fast-track the decentralization process, with the creation of a
new ministry devoted thereto. The upcoming regional elections will complete the
process by enabling our compatriots nationwide to fully participate in the
management of their local affairs.
My Dear Compatriots,
Despite the efforts
made by the Government, radical movements, mainly inspired from abroad, have
exploited and distorted the corporate demands. They have thus hatched a
secessionist plan to partition our country. In this regard, they have formed
and financed armed groups that have caused untold harm to the population of the
North-West and South-West Regions.
The whole world has
witnessed the atrocities committed by these armed groups: maiming, beheading,
assassination of elements of the Defence and Security Forces, administrative
authorities and defenceless civilians, destruction of public infrastructure and
buildings, and burning of schools, hospitals, etc.
I would like to avail
myself of this opportunity to once again extend my heartfelt condolences and
those of the entire Nation to those who have lost loved ones in the crisis. I
also wish to send a message of comfort to the wounded and all those affected in
one way or the other. I want to assure them that they can count on the
solidarity of the Government of the Republic and the Nation as a whole.
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My Dear
Compatriots
The atrocities
committed by armed groups have forced thousands of our compatriots to seek
refuge in other regions of the country and, for some, in neighbouring countries
where they have been reduced to living under precarious conditions.
In the face of these
intolerable acts, the Defence and Security Forces have taken energetic
measures, often at the risk of their lives, to perform their duty of protecting
citizens and their property.
These measures are
currently bearing fruits with the improvement of security and the progressive
resumption of economic activities in the two regions.
My Dear Compatriots,
Since the outbreak of
this crisis, I have spared no effort, with the help of Cameroonians of good
will, in seeking ways and means for its peaceful resolution.
In a bid to calm the
situation, I even ordered the discontinuance of judicial proceedings pending
before military tribunals against 289 persons arrested for offences committed
during this crisis.
In the same vein, I
extended a hand of peace to members of armed groups by calling on them to lay
down their arms and benefit from the process of reintegration into society. A
National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee was thus set
up. Regional Disarmament Centres are gradually receiving many ex-combatants who
willingly accept to lay down their arms. We will continue to make the
necessary efforts to fully operationalize this process.
At the humanitarian
level, I decided to launch a large-scale assistance plan for our affected
compatriots of the North-West and South-West Regions. I also established a
Centre for the Coordination of Humanitarian Action for its implementation. I
wish to thank our international partners for supporting us in this initiative.
My Dear Compatriots,
The supposed feeling
of marginalization by the people of the North-West and South-West Regions has
often been advanced to justify this crisis. On this score, I wish to remind our
compatriots in these regions, but also to those in the other eight regions of
Cameroon, that marginalization, exclusion or stigmatization have never guided
the work of the various governments I have formed since I became president of
our country. Though no human endeavour is perfect and, in a developing country
like ours with multiple challenges and limited resources, many needs are still
to be met, in all the regions.
With the massive
support you gave me during the last presidential election, I intend to work
relentlessly, with all the sons and daughters of our country, towards meeting
the challenges we are facing in order to improve the welfare of our population,
especially in terms of infrastructure, water and electricity supply, healthcare
delivery and youth employment.
My Dear Compatriots,
On 4 January this
year, I made a vast government reshuffle, particularly with the appointment of
a new Prime Minister, Head of Government. As usual, the choice of these
officials was mainly guided by their human and professional qualities, their
competence and experience. However, I would like to underscore that as faithful
as I have always been to the regional balance policy, I chose a Prime Minister
who hails from the South-West Region. His predecessor
who served in that key position for nearly ten years was from the North-West
Region. In fact, since 9 April 1992, Prime Ministers, Heads of Government, have
been appointed from among the people of those two regions.
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Despite all this, some
people will continue to talk of marginalization of the people of these regions.
It must be acknowledged that such is human nature and there will never be
enough duty posts to satisfy all the regions, divisions, sub-divisions, towns,
villages, families and citizens of our country. Any choice that is made will
always cause joy whenever one is honoured, and disappointment when one is not.
It is, however,
crucial for us to change our mentalities in this regard. Though it is necessary
to consider regional balance in new countries with a diverse sociological
composition like ours, it should be recalled that ministers and other officials
are not appointed to serve only their regions, villages or families, but to
serve the entire national community. They must serve the general interest and
not specific interests.
That is why since I
came to power, I have and will continue to wage a ruthless war against
corruption and the embezzlement of public funds, and to promote good
governance.
My Dear Compatriots,
Since the outbreak of
the crisis in the North-West and South-West Regions, the term dialogue has
never been so much talked about, used and even misused.
In and out of the
country, people have made proposals and suggestions. Some are realistic while
others are clearly less so. There has been a barrage of advice. Some smart,
others based on interests. Some people dared to issue injunctions.
There have also been
multiple and varied initiatives, most of them made by people of good faith, by
countries or organizations that are truly concerned about the future of our
country and the well-being of our people. I wish to thank them for their effort
and token of friendship.
It is, however, worth
noting that the proliferation of such initiatives was sometimes unfortunately
based on simplistic and false ideas, born out of secessionist propaganda. Such
is the case with the purported marginalization of Anglophones, persecution of
the Anglophone minority by the Francophone majority, Government’s refusal to
engage in dialogue preferring a military solution to the crisis or even ridiculous
accusations of genocide.
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New information and
communication technologies, especially social media networks, have
unfortunately facilitated the advent of self-proclaimed leaders, extremists of
all shades trying to achieve recognition using insult, threat, hate speech,
violence and murder.
However, in no country
in the world, has the killing of gendarmes or civilians, kidnapping,
mutilation, molestation, burning, destruction of public infrastructure,
prevention of children from going to school or people from going about their
activities in peace ever been a source of legitimacy to represent or speak on
behalf of the people, the very victims of such atrocities.
In democracy, only elections
confer such legitimacy.
My Dear Compatriots,
The many consultations
I have continued to hold on this crisis have enabled me to size up the strong
desire of the people of the North-West and South-West Regions to return to a
normal life, to be able once again to safely carry out their economic and social
activities, to witness the return of refugees and displaced persons, and to see
their children return to school. The Prime Minister’s recent tour of the two
regions has helped to confirm this feeling.
I therefore strongly
believe that the time has come to rally all well-thinking and constructive
forces in our country and in the diaspora to make this desire come true.
That is why I have
decided to convene, from the end of this month, a major national dialogue that
will, in line with our Constitution, enable us to seek ways and means of
meeting the high aspirations of the people of the North-West and South-West
Regions, but also of all the other components of our Nation.
The dialogue in
question will mainly concern the situation in the North-West and South-West
Regions. Since it will focus on issues of national interest such as national
unity, national integration and living together, it is obvious that it will not
concern only the population of these two regions.
The dialogue will
therefore rally all the sons and daughters of our beloved and beautiful
country, Cameroon, to reflect on values that are dear to us, namely: peace,
security, national unity and progress.
It will also focus on
issues that can address the concerns of the population of the North-West and
South-West Regions, as well as those of the other regions of our country such
as bilingualism, cultural diversity and social cohesion, the reconstruction and
development of conflict-affected areas, the return of refugees and displaced
persons, the education and judicial system, decentralization and local
development, the demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, the role of
the diaspora in the country’s development, etc.
The dialogue, which
will be chaired by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, will bring together
a wide range of personalities: parliamentarians, politicians, opinion leaders,
intellectuals, economic operators, traditional authorities, religious
authorities, members of the diaspora, etc. Representatives of the Defence and
Security Forces, armed groups and victims will also be invited.
Obviously, it will not
be possible for everybody to effectively participate in this dialogue, but each
person will have the opportunity to make a contribution.
Prior to the effective
holding of the dialogue, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, will carry out
broad-based consultations to solicit a wide range of views that will serve as a
source of inspiration for the conduct of deliberations. In the coming days,
delegations will also be dispatched to meet the diaspora to enable them to make
their contribution to discussions on the resolution of the crisis.
In this regard, I am
appealing to the patriotism and sense of responsibility of all our compatriots
in the country and in the diaspora so that everyone, wherever they are, should
seize this historic opportunity to help to steer our country on the path of
peace, harmony, security and progress.
My Dear Compatriots,
The propaganda of
secessionists has tried to present the recent court decisions taken against a
number of our compatriots in the context of this crisis as an obstacle to the
dialogue envisaged.
That is not the case.
I also wish to use this opportunity to stress that respect for the rule of law
and the fight against impunity are pillars in the consolidation of a State
ruled by law to which we all aspire. Violating the rule of law and granting
impunity to some citizens is paving the way for anarchy.
It is therefore
crucial, at this stage, to dispel rumours that one can quietly loot, rape,
burn, kidnap, maim, murder, in the hope that a possible dialogue will erase all
these crimes and provide impunity to their perpetrators.
As shown by the
experience of many countries in the world, such way of thinking will only
encourage the perpetuation of violence in the crisis regions and even encourage
it in crisis-free regions.
Admittedly, however,
in the context of a dialogue, a peace process or national reconciliation, the
possibility of pardon may be considered, under certain conditions.
It is equally true
that in accordance with our Constitution, the Head of State is empowered to
exercise the right of pardon.
It was, moreover, on
the strength of this authority that I made a peace offer to members of armed
groups during my recent swearing-in ceremony.
I wish to solemnly
reiterate this offer today. Those who voluntarily lay down their arms and
place themselves at the disposal of the Disarmament, Demobilization and
Reintegration (DDR) Centres have nothing to fear. Their fellow armed group
members who are already there can testify to this. Conversely, those who
persist in committing criminal acts and violating the laws of the Republic will
have to contend with our Defence and Security Forces and will face the full
force of those same laws.
The same applies to
promoters of hate and violence who, comfortably settled in foreign countries
with impunity, continue to incite murder and destruction. Let them know that
sooner or later they will have to face justice.
I am appealing to the
countries sheltering these extremists to take action against these criminals if
they really care about the situation of the people of the North-West and
South-West Regions.
Most of them no longer
have Cameroonian nationality, but they spend their time raising funds to carry
out terrorist acts in Cameroon, masterminding acts of arson, kidnappings and
murder, and issuing calls aimed at preventing children from attending school
and fellow citizens from going about their business peacefully.
My Dear Compatriots,
The entire national
community has high expectations for the dialogue I have just announced and
hopes that this will be an opportunity for our brothers and sisters in the
North-West and South-West to close this particularly painful chapter, to forget
their suffering and to return to normal life. It also hopes that our country
will continue resolutely on the path of progress, through fruitful discussions
on ways and means of creating conditions conducive to the optimal exploitation
of natural resources and our country's enormous human potential. Therefore, we
should all work towards a successful dialogue.
My Dear Compatriots,
Over the years, we have
used our linguistic and cultural diversity, the talent of our sons and
daughters, and our commendable efforts and sacrifices to build a solid country
and a strong Nation. Together we have met many challenges and won uncountable
victories. We have proven that united there is no difficulty we cannot overcome
and no obstacle we cannot cross. We proved it yesterday. We will prove it again
today and tomorrow. The future of our compatriots in the North-West and
South-West Regions lies within our Republic.
Cameroon will remain
one and indivisible.
Long Live Cameroon!
