Military Violence Against Civilians is Illegitimate-Dr. Chemuta Divine.

The chairman of the National Commission on human rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) has condemned the exercise of violence by the military in a bid to stop secessionist tendencies in the two English speaking regions of Cameroon.

Dr Chemuta Divine Banda in his own words says “…human rights institutions in the world recognize legitimate use of violence by the state only when its defending its self from a foreign aggressor . This means in the context of Cameroon, the use of military force against fellow Cameroonians in the two Anglophone regions is illegitimate”

The boss of the commission of human rights and freedoms states, that beside the military and Ambazonia fighters reigning terror in the north west and south west regions, a third group he describe as “opportunists” have taken advantage of the ugly situation to make material and financial gains.

These people he says can not been identify easily.

On the question of the role of Anglophone community in the diasporas in connection to the crisis, Dr Chemuta says some Anglophones in the diasporas are contributing to fuel hostilities back home.

To him, secessionist Anglophones abroad think the struggle has come a long way and there should be no turning back.

Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Vs AGC
“The continuous delay of the government of Cameroon to issue a written authorization for the holding of the Anglophone General Conference can finally frustrate the good intentions of the conveners”To Dr Chemuta government is supposed to support the holding of the conference to pave a way for frank and inclusive dialogue.

Speaking on behalf of the national commission for human rights and freedoms in Cameroon, the chairman holds firmly that the committee for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) will be anything to count on if implemented in a spirit of reconciliation.

This, he requests President Paul Biya to call for a seize fire to permit fighters freely lay their arms.

Dr Chemuta Divine Banda regrets the fact that president Paul Biya has continuously ignored concrete recommendations on how to solve the Anglophone crisis that has been dragging on for two years now.

By: Dominic Meme
Pic: Archive