Former war propagandist Emmanuel Ndong, also known as Capo Daniel, has earned praise from the Global Campaign for Peace and Justice in Cameroon (GCPJC) for his strategy advocating for a cessation of hostilities in the Anglophone-speaking regions. The organisation views this as a positive step to address the ongoing crisis in English Cameroon, which has tragically resulted in over 6,000 fatalities and displaced more than a million people, both internally and externally.
In a statement released on May 12, which was shared with MMI, the GCPJC acknowledged “the recently reported call for a negotiated settlement and nonviolence to resolve Cameroon’s ‘Anglophone Crisis’ by a former spokesperson and commander of one of the armed separatist groups.”
While commending Capo Daniel’s initiative, as the Leader of the People’s Rights Advocacy Platform, the GCPJC urged all parties involved to replace weapons with peaceful dialogue and take tangible steps towards achieving a peaceful and just resolution to the nearly eight-year-long conflict.
The GCPJC sees this as a significant opportunity for both the Cameroonian government and non-state armed groups to prioritise the welfare of their people. They emphasised the necessity for the government to recognise that addressing the conflict’s underlying causes and grievances is crucial. Without a peaceful political resolution, the GCPJC warned of potential disruptions to the country’s upcoming 2025 elections and continued economic decline.
“We urge the Cameroonian government to recognise that a solution to the conflict must address its root causes and grievances. Without a peaceful political resolution, the country’s 2025 elections are likely to be marred, and Cameroon’s economy will continue its decline,” the statement read.
They further urged President Biya of Cameroon to seize this opportunity.
“We plead with the Cameroonian Head of State to acknowledge this ‘ripe moment’ and meet at a dialogue table with Anglophones committed to a negotiated solution to find a non-military end to this deadly and senseless conflict,” it added.
They credited their advocacy efforts for influencing Capo Daniel’s embrace of nonviolence.
Capo Daniel publicly called for a cessation of hostilities in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon on May 4. He justified his stance by noting that, after over seven years, separatist fighters have failed to achieve their goal of expelling the Cameroonian military. In an interview with MMI, he expressed concern that instead of protecting the masses, the fighters on the ground were causing suffering.
In light of these developments, the GCPJC called on all warring parties to commit to a ceasefire, refrain from further atrocities, and adhere to national and international laws. Their appeal also extended to the international community.
“We implore the international community, including the African Union and the United Nations, to offer necessary technical support and assistance to all, including civil society, so that everyone can work together to end this destructive conflict,” their statement said.
The Global Campaign also urged the Cameroonian government not to fear peace and encouraged them, as custodians of the nation’s destiny, to embrace the opportunity to demonstrate through concrete actions that all citizens, including the Anglophone population, are treated equitably. They reiterated that negotiations remain the most rational path forward.
Who are the GCPJC?
The Global Campaign for Peace & Justice in Cameroon, a worldwide network of academics, activists, journalists, lawyers, students, and concerned citizens, has been consistent in expressing alarm at human rights abuses and war crimes committed against civilians in the Anglophone regions. They believe political solutions are essential, not military force.
The Campaign views the preliminary peace talks announced in January 2023 by Canada, if revived, or any other peace talks, as the best path towards a negotiated settlement. They advocate for the international community to pressure all parties to join the talks and for unrestricted access for international humanitarian organisations to assist civilians.
The Campaign seeks to keep the crisis in the media spotlight and emphasises its nonpartisan and apolitical stance, urging Cameroonians to pursue nonviolent solutions. They endorsed the UN’s call for ceasefires due to COVID-19 and continue to urge the Cameroon government and all armed separatists to cease hostilities to allow for healing in the Anglophone regions.
