Anglophone crisis: From national dialogue to regional dialogue; much talk, little gains!

Since the holding of the Major National Dialogue, insecurity continues to rise in most parts of the North West and South West region two years after.

The recent killing of 15 soldiers in the localities of Bamessing-Ndop and Kikaikom with the use of an anti-tank rocket launcher and other sophisticated weapons by separatist armed groups is a pointer to the volatile security atmosphere in the region.

Shortly after the ‘historic’ Major National Dialogue, the Special Status was awarded to the North West and South West regions.

Political actors say the Special Status addresses the main concerns of the people they govern.

Councils now have the liberty to recruit basic education teachers, nurses and can even carry out and implement projects without passing through the Senior Divisional Officers, a municipal authority said.

Divisions are well represented in both the Regional House of Assembly and also in the House of Chiefs and several key positions of decision-making are held by indigenes of the area.

The holding of the second session to follow-up on the implementation of the recommendations of the Major National Dialogue is considered by many as a promising update on more benefits they hope to see in the weeks and months ahead.

Recently, the Prime Minister and head of government, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute was in Buea to evaluate the implementation of the recommendations of the dialogue.

The PM is expected in Bamenda in the days ahead to carry out a similar exercise.

Timfuchi Aaron