France says ready to assist in reconstruction of NW, SW but gives tough conditions to Biya regime

France is ready to assist Cameroon in reconstructing the North West and South West regions but not in the form and process taken by the government of president Paul Biya.

On the program “Actualité Hebdo” on CRTV Sunday April 19th 2020, French Ambassador to Cameroon stated the position of his government as concerns the reconstruction process. To Christophe Guilhou, “France is to accompany Cameroon in the reconstruction of the North West and South West regions but before that there should be peace between the government and the separatist fighters”. To the French diplomat, a veritable construction work cannot actually take place in the Anglophone regions without a peace accord between the government and separatists.

The stand contradicts the position of the government of Cameroon that has already budgeted close to 90 billions francs cfa for the reconstruction of the North West and South West regions. Government by focusing on its agenda of reconstruction has not given a listening ear to calls for a cease fire and possibly a peace deal before the start of reconstruction.

Government has already appointed the coordinator and deputy in charge of the reconstruction process.

Though government has always down played the level of insecurity in the North West and South West regions at the moment, local administrative officials in the war torn areas say kidnappings, harassment, shootings and killings are still the order of the day in these places.

Mimi Mefo Info.