The Social Democratic Front (SDF) party’s candidate for the presidential election, Hon. Joshua Osih, says he would solve the Anglophone crisis 100 days if he is elected in this October Presidential elections.
Osih made the statement as part of his ambitious political programme presented in Yaounde on Saturday, March 1.
That was during the extraordinary convention of the party where militants unanimously voted him acclamation as the flag bearer for the presidential election.
Osih’s political programme dubbed “our mission to rescue Cameroon” was presented in five steps.
They included: “16 Breakthrough Measures from Day One; 100 Days to End Violence in the Northwest and Southwest Regions; One year to Restore the Dignity of the People of the Great North; three years to rebuild institutions; one term for the socio-economic transformation of our country.”
Ending Anglophone Conflict in 100 Days
If elected, within 100 days in office, the ongoing armed conflict in Northwest and Southwest regions will be history, Osih says.
To do this, he would release all prisoners linked to the crisis and immediately hold an inclusive dialogue with impartial mediation.
He will also form a community force to replace military intervention, which he said has become repressive.
Aside from doing that, he would also ensure an immediate humanitarian response, which includes safe return of internally displaced persons, reopening schools with guaranteed security, and psychosocial support & victim rehabilitation.
Hon. Osih believes he can accomplish this in 100 days.
The Anglophone Crisis started in 2016 and escalated into an armed conflict in 2017.
In 2019, the UN reported more than 6,000 have died and over a million displaced.
The conflict which is ongoing has seen enormous property destroyed.
One Year to End Boko Haram Insurgency
Another area in Cameroon suffering an armed conflict is the Far North Region, which has been facing a Boko Haram insurgency for over a decade now.
Hon. Joshua Osih believes that the youths in that region are joining the terrorist group owing to lack of jobs.
Before presenting his political program, he had, last year, visited the area and understood what the region’s challenges were.
In a plan known as “One Year to Restore the Dignity of the People of the Great North,” Osih highlighted key issues to solve the problems.
To him, security is vital. And to achieve that, there must be modernisation of the army, local brigades, and technological surveillance.
He also banked on the economy and employment, which he said are key to youth integration, training, and support for farmers and entrepreneurs.
Another aspect of restoring dignity in the Far North is building infrastructures ranging from roads, solar energy, water access, and local industrialisation.
Other aspects of his program for the Far North include rehabilitating schools, compulsory education, and legal assistance.
Executive Orders
Joshua Osih said achieving all of these ambitions would not necessarily require him to go to the National Assembly or the Senate to get approval.
He said he could achieve them through executive ordinances or decrees.
That is the Constitution has already guaranteed these privileges and all they require is implementation.
So as it stands, the SDF already has a candidate with a clear vision. The party and its candidate must now sell this vision to potential voters.
As to whether Cameroonians will buy it or not, the results will be seen in October.
