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By David Atangana
President Paul Biya has all but concluded that the conflict in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon can be won militarily. He did this while also applauding the United States of America for pressing criminal charges against some citizens of Cameroonian origin for sponsoring what he termed “terrorist” activities in Cameroon’s English-speaking Regions.
The 90-year-old Cameroonian head of state who has ruled with an iron fist since 1982, was speaking Saturday, December 31, 2022, in his traditional end-of-year message to the nation.
He also called on other countries hosting sponsors of the Separatist conflict in Cameroon to do the same.
In November 2022, the US Department of Justice announced the arrest of three US citizens of Cameroonian origin; Claude N Chi, Francis Chenyi, and Lah Nestor Langmi for
The federal indictment alleges that Chi, Chenyi, and Langmi have supported and raised funds for separatist fighters in Cameroon since January 1, 2018.
“…….I also thank our partners for their multifaceted support, and particularly the United States of America for its decisive action in prosecuting those who help to finance terrorist activities in Cameroon from abroad”, said President Paul Biya
“I urge other friendly countries to follow suit so that the resumption of development activities can be accelerated in the said Regions”, he went on.
Noting that calm has returned to the crisis hit North West, South West and Far North regions with just pockets of resistance left, President Biya said it is thanks to the collaboration between the population and the country’s defense forces.
The Biya administration is faced with an armed secessionist conflict in Anglophone North West and South West Regions including Boko Haram terrorism in the Far North region.
“Thanks to the Army-Nation link, the collaboration between our defence forces and the population has contributed to reducing significantly the terrorist threat in the Far-North, North-West and South-West Regions” the Head of state said adding, “With the return to calm, remarkable progress has been achieved in implementing the Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the said Regions”
Dwelling on the country’s governance system, president Paul Biya said power is gradually being devolved to local councils in strict respect of national cohesion.
“On the political front, decentralization is being implemented methodically,” the president noted.
He further said, ” Powers are gradually being devolved from the State to regional and local authorities while ensuring that the structural balances that constitute the backbone of our Nation’s social pact are not undermined”
Emphasising that councils have a key role to play “in reviving our economy, resolving the thorny issue of youth unemployment and revitalizing local democracy,” he announced the political calendar for 2023 when senatorial elections are due.
