Former US Secretary of State for African Affairs, Tibor Nagy, expressed his dismay over EU-Cameroon business dealings amidst the unresolved Anglophone crisis. Nagy took to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday, February 18, to highlight the issue.
In a critical tweet, Nagy questioned the European Union’s decision to engage in a “Business Week” with Cameroon to promote trade and investment, suggesting that the EU should prioritize justice for Ambazonians over new investments. He specifically urged the EU to leverage its influence to address the conflict in the Northwest and Southwest Regions.
“So the European Union is having a “Business Week” with Cameroon to promote trade and investment,” he said and questioned, “Wouldn’t it be great for the EU to tell the Cameroon government that it’s not interested in new investments until Cameroon treats Ambazonians with justice?”
Nagy’s comments coincided with the EU-Cameroon Business Week taking place in Yaounde. He believes that the EU, by exerting pressure, can play a significant role in pushing Cameroon to address the longstanding Anglophone crisis, which erupted in 2016 and escalated into an armed conflict in 2017. According to UN statistics, the conflict has resulted in over 6,000 deaths and the displacement of more than a million people internally and externally.
While acknowledging the EU’s previous condemnations of the conflict, Nagy asserted that mere verbal condemnation is insufficient. He called on the EU to take concrete action by refraining from engaging in business dealings with Cameroon until the human rights issues in the Anglophone regions are adequately addressed.
During his tenure as Under Secretary of State for African Affairs in the administration of former President Donald Trump, Nagy played a role in Cameroon’s removal from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) due to human rights violations in the Anglophone regions. Since leaving office, he has continued to criticize Cameroon’s handling of the crisis.
Nagy, known for advocating for secession in Cameroon, also criticized what he perceives as double standards in the West’s approach to African affairs. He cited examples such as the West’s embrace of Croatia and Slovenia when they broke away from Yugoslavia, contrasting it with what he views as hypocrisy regarding Somaliland’s successful bid for independence. Nagy questioned the West’s double standard in its treatment of African nations, emphasizing the need for consistency and fairness.
In a separate tweet, Nagy referenced the recent accusation by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who accused Ethiopia of attempting to colonize part of Somalia’s territory through a deal with breakaway Somaliland.
Nagy commended Ethiopia for acknowledging reality in its port deal, highlighting the complex dynamics in African geopolitics.
“When Croatia and Slovenia broke away from Yugoslavia, the West embraced them. So what’s different about Somaliland, which was equally successful? Hypocrisy and a double standard for Africa? At least Ethiopia dares to accept reality with the port deal,” he said.
