The United States has announced that it is imposing visa restrictions on those it believes to be “responsible for, or complicit in” undermining the peaceful resolution of the crisis in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon.
The United States secretary of state, Anthony Blinken made the announcement on Monday, June 7, 2021.
The statement did not mention those indicted by the sanctions yet. But there have been calls for those fanning the flames in the conflict to be sanctioned — including state and non-state actors.
“This decision reflects our commitment to advance a dialogue to peacefully resolve the Anglophone crisis and support respect for human rights,” Blinken said in a statement.
The armed conflict conflict in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions has claimed thousands of lives and forced over a million to flee their homes. Hundreds of thousands of children have halted classes as a result.
The US says: “both the Cameroonian government and separatist armed groups must end the violence and engage in a dialogue without preconditions,” so that “children can attend school and that humanitarian aid can be delivered.”
“We urge all relevant stakeholders in Cameroon and in the diaspora to engage constructively and seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis.”
“We condemn those who undermine peace through engaging in or inciting violence, human rights violations and abuses, and threats against advocates for peace or humanitarian workers,” Blinken said.
Pressure from Cameroonian women
Blinken’s statement comes barely hours after about 20 Cameroonian women wrote to the UN Security council urging the body to put the crisis in Cameroon’s English speaking regions on the discussion table as the global body prepares to discuss the crises plaguing Central Africa.
The women leaders from various spheres of life, including lawyers, politicians and the civil society say they are reverting to the UN because their efforts at returning the country on the path to peace have remained largely unsuccessful.
The list of individuals concerned in the visa restriction is highly awaited.
Read more about the statement here??
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