Archbishop Nkea of the Bamenda archdiocese calls for direct negotiations between the Cameroonian government and separatist fighters to foster lasting peace. He cites concerns over the government’s commitment to resolving the crisis, which has led to significant violence and displacement. Prime Minister Dion acknowledges progress made but stresses the need to address the root causes of conflict to avoid “negative peace.”
In Cameroon, Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya has emphasized the importance of direct negotiations between the national government and separatist fighters to establish sustainable peace in the affected English-speaking regions. During a meeting in Yaoundé to evaluate the progress of the Major National Dialogue, he articulated that separatists feel the government lacks genuine commitment to resolving the crisis, believing that governmental proclamations are poorly implemented.
The separatist conflict in Cameroon commenced in 2016 as a response to perceived marginalization by the French-speaking majority. Initially fueled by protests from lawyers and teachers, the situation deteriorated, leading to violence aimed at achieving independence for a new state named Ambazonia. This conflict has resulted in over 6,000 deaths and significant displacement of the population.
Considering the historical context, Cameroon’s bilingual makeup stems from its colonial history, leading to ongoing concerns among the Anglophone regions regarding their rights and identity. Acknowledging past failures at assimilation, President Paul Biya had stated, “We tried assimilating their system into the majority francophone system but because of identity differences, it failed.”
The Major National Dialogue introduces several measures to address this crisis, including granting special status to Anglophone regions, reestablishing the House of Traditional Chiefs, and improving local governance through decentralization. While progress has been noted, Archbishop Nkea insists on the necessity for the government to engage directly with key separatist figures, warning, “The boys [separatist fighters] feel you are merely talking among yourselves or to your friends.”
Moreover, the Archbishop noted the Church’s role in facilitating dialogue, asserting that they could only support discussions without binding commitments. The perspective among some fighters reveals a belief that certain government officials favor the continuation of the conflict, exacerbating distrust.
Archbishop Nkea has mentioned some fighters’ cautious willingness to engage in dialogue, viewing this as a positive development. He condemned the ongoing violence, stating, “All wars, including the First and Second World Wars, ended at the negotiating table.” The Archbishop called for genuine discussions, emphasizing that religious leaders could mediate such efforts.
Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute acknowledged the role of religious leaders and highlighted the government’s accomplishments since the Major National Dialogue. He shared advancements in decentralization and noted that around 3,500 ex-fighters are undergoing reintegration initiatives. Legal actions are being taken against separatist leaders perceived as instigators of violence.
While Prime Minister Dion reported burgeoning peace, he acknowledged the need for continued efforts to tackle the underlying causes of conflict. Experts have warned against settling for “negative peace,” where open hostilities cease but root causes such as injustice remain unaddressed, potentially incubating future conflicts.
Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya’s call for direct talks between the Cameroonian government and separatist fighters signifies a critical step towards lasting peace in the English-speaking regions. Addressing the historical grievances, the Archbishop, alongside Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, outlines progress made since the Major National Dialogue. However, the challenge of ensuring genuine dialogue and tackling root causes of the conflict remains essential to prevent relapse into violence. The evolving situation highlights the urgency for authentic engagement and recognition of the peoples’ rights to foster sustainable peace in Cameroon.
Original Source: cruxnow.com
