Armed conflict in NW, SW: US to boycott diaspora events promoting hate speech, violence

The US has said it will not attend any events organised by the Cameroonian Diaspora meant to promote violence and hate speech.

They were informed of the decision in a release by Tibor P. Nagy Jr., Assistant Secretary,
Bureau for African Affairs.

Citing their role in the development of the country, the diplomat said they must play a crucial role to ending violence in Cameroon.

“As a community, your influence can be felt through public remarks, private conversations, remittances, international conferences, and social media posts. We encourage you to use the power of your voices in a constructive manner to promote peace as you engage with Cameroonians worldwide, the U.S. government, Congress, and on social media,” he said in a press statement.

He used the opportunity to distance the US from any calls for violence in Cameroon.

The United States, he said, “… will not work with groups – or attend diaspora-organized events – that include calls for violence or hate speech. The United States supports the territorial integrity of Cameroon and calls for all actors to peacefully address the long-term grievances driving the current conflict in the Northwest and Southwest Regions and to cease exacerbating the hardships experienced by civilians in these regions.”

His country, he added, “… considers the Cameroonian diaspora a critical community that can push for meaningful change in Cameroon to address long-term grievances, support the safety of humanitarian workers, get children back to school safely, and bring an end to the fighting that has led to untold suffering.”

Nagy’s comments come at a time when Cameroonians in the Diaspora have been calling for action over the war in the country’s North West and South West regions.

It also comes at a time when uncertainty looms over education in the regions following a series of attacks on schools with teachers and students being targets.

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