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Africa Forum, a grouping of ex-African leaders has said it will facilitate an inclusive dialogue between the government of Cameroon and those seeking the independence of a country they call Ambazonia – a geographical allusion to Cameroon’s North West and South West Regions.
In a statement dated July 2, the body chaired by former Mozambican President, Joaquim Alberto Chissano says they’ll convene a symposium on Cameroon.
One of the principal tasks of the Africa Forum (“the Forum”) of former African Heads of State and Government and other African leaders is to support the African Union as it works to guide the continent to achieve the objectives detailed in the Constitutive Act.
In this context, they say, the Forum has done its best to follow the evolving but troubling situation in the Republic of Cameroon.
“In this regard it has had the privilege to convey some of its views and suggestions to His Excellency President Paul Biya of Cameroon. The Forum looks forward to further contact with President Biya on this matter,” a July 2 statement reads.
In the meantime, the Forum says it has thought it necessary that it should take all necessary steps further to inform itself about the situation in the Republic of Cameroon in as comprehensive a manner as possible.
“To achieve this objective, the Forum will therefore act to convene a Symposium on Cameroon to be held possibly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or any other African country which will agree with the Forum to provide a venue for the Symposium,” Africa Forum writes.
The Forum says it will take steps without delay to contact a broad spectrum of the people of Cameroon and invite these to attend what the Forum intends “must be an inclusive and open dialogue.”
The Forum is convinced that the symposium will help greatly to empower it the better to assist the Government and people of Cameroon as they work to address the challenges facing this sister African country.
The Africa Forum constitutes an informal network of former African Heads of State and Government and other African leaders designed to support the implementation of the broad objectives of the African Union (AU) and its initiative, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), at national, sub-regional and regional levels.
With the specific functions of advocacy and think tanking, the Africa Forum helps harness the experience, moral authority and good offices of the former African Heads of State and Government and other African leaders with the view to assisting the advancement Africa’s social and economic development.
In the process of working towards further democratic change and transformation of the social and economic conditions in Africa, it is important to recognize that one of the critical assets that the continent has is its people and their leaders.
Most of these leaders who are vacating office have accumulated vital experience which should be used to support national, sub-regional and regional efforts towards transformation of the continent.
There is ample evidence to suggest that most of the former African Heads of State and Government and other African leaders who have left office with democratic credentials wish to continue, in their own private capacities, to serve Africa, support and complement national, sub-regional and regional efforts to end the scourge of conflicts, promote peace, security and stability as well as sustainable development of the continent.
Mimi Mefo Info
