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By David Atangana
The government of Canada has announced that it is facilitating a dialogue process between the government of Cameroon and some separatist groups to end the armed conflict in the Anglophone Regions of Cameroon.
The Canadian foreign Ministry released a statement to this effect Friday January 20, 2023.
The two English-speaking Regions have been rocked by a bloody armed conflict since 2016 — with a part of the population fighting to create an independent state called ‘Ambazonia.’
“The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs… issued the following statement on the announcement of a peace process aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in the North-West and South-West Regions of Cameroon,” Canadian Foreign Ministry said.
According to the statement, “Canada welcomes the agreement by the parties to enter a process to reach a comprehensive, peaceful and political resolution of the conflict. The parties have also agreed to form technical committees to begin work on confidence-building measures.”
The agreement to enter a formal process, Canada said, “is a critical first step toward peace and a safer,” more inclusive and prosperous future for civilians affected by the conflict.
Commending the parties involved for for engaging in dialogue, the Canadian foreign Ministry encouraged “all stakeholders to support and work with the parties to advance and contribute to an inclusive process to reach a lasting and sustainable political settlement.”
“Canada has accepted the mandate to facilitate this process, as part of our commitment to promote peace and security and advance support for democracy and human rights,” said the foreign minister.
“Our role also reflects Canada’s engagement to work with our African partners to build a better future for everyone.”
The parties to this agreement MMI gathered, are the Republic of Cameroon, the Ambazonia Governing Council and the Ambazonia Defence Force, the African People’s Liberation Movement and the Southern Cameroons Defence Force, the Interim Government, and the Ambazonia Coalition Team.
However, some separatist groups have not committed to the process.
Expressing the wish to see an end to the near six years conflict, the facilitator of the process noted that, “more than 6,000 people have lost their lives since 2017. In addition, nearly 800,000 people have been displaced as a result of this crisis, and 600,000 children do not have full access to education.”
The Canadian process comes after a similar initiative announced by Switzerland in 2019 ended in a fiasco — with the government of Cameroon and some Separatist leaders, backing out.
It is uncertain whether the the new process will bring in the most needed results.
Mimi Mefo Info
