An overwhelming majority of delegates of the European Union Parliament have given a nod for peaceful solution to the armed crisis in Cameroon’s North West and South West Regions.
614 of them voted in favour and 32 against, with 40 abstentions recorded.
With this result, the EU Parliament has urged “… both the Cameroonian government and the political and military leaders of separatist groups to agree on a humanitarian ceasefire…”
It also encouraged the parties to the conflict “… to agree on confidence-building measures, such as freeing non-violent political prisoners and lifting school boycotts.”
“MEPs call on President Paul Biya’s government and the Anglophone separatists to immediately re-initiate peace talks, while pleading for the international community, especially the African Union, Central African states and the EU, to help facilitate dialogue by offering to take on a mediation role,” they added.
The EU Parliament in its resolution, also urged the Cameroon government to put an end to military trial of civilians.
Such trials, they noted, have predetermined outcomes and have in some instances, resulted in the death penalty, which is unlawful under international human rights law.
