College of African priests insists only Inclusive dialogue with separatists solution to Anglophone crisis

Following the Ngarbuh massacre, several reactions have been raised, with many calling for an end to the war in the Anglophone regions.

Expressing their deep concern about the violence and the loss of human life in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, the Jesuit Superiors of Africa, representing all Jesuits in Africa said “we join the Catholic Bishops of Cameroon and across the world, human rights groups and several other concerned bodies and individuals in condemning the Cameroonian government’s continuous use of force as well as the violence perpetrated by militia groups that has led to loss of innocent lives.”

Highlighting the Ngarbuh massacre, the Jesuits noted that “it is further disheartening that among the dead, there are at least ten children, and several pregnant women… This, unfortunately, is only another blot in the litany of killings and torching of villages that have been going on unabated in Cameroon since the recent crisis began in 2016.”

Recalling this year’s edition of the world day of peace and the AU theme for this year; ‘silencing the guns’, the Jesuits “call on President Paul Biya and his government to go beyond repressive measures and take responsibility in order to find more lasting solutions to the crisis through mediated talks. Inclusive dialogue involving anglophone separatists is the only sustainable solution to the violence causing the unacceptable loss of innocent lives in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.”

“We further call on the Government of Cameroon to ensure the respect of human rights and freedom of expression and manifestation” they state, insisting that “Inclusive dialogue involving anglophone separatists is the only sustainable solution to the violence causing the unacceptable loss of innocent lives in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.”

Several other calls have been made for the government of Cameroon to call its troops to order as well as provide long term solutions to the crisis, ensuring justice for all.

MMI