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The United Nations Representative for Central Africa has appealed to partners to scale up humanitarian assistance in the conflict hit North West and South West Regions.
At a briefing to Security Council members, Francois Lounceny Fall regretted that, the rate of the execution of the UN Humanitarian Response Plan in Cameroon stands at 13 percent, while the situation on ground remains preoccupying.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General told Security council members that the population of the North West and South West Regions are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance with insecurity being a major impedement to reach out efforts.
Fall said the UN has noted actions by government towards bringing calm in the North West and South West Regions. Apart from the visit of high profile personalities in the country calling for humanitarian assistance and inclusive dialogue, the body observes the visit of the Prime Minister, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute to the restive regions.
The message from President Paul Biya calling for discussions on all issues except secession has been hailed by the UN as encouraging. But these efforts have been overshadowed by continuous violence which has left at least 2.000 dead, while over 500.000 people are now internally displaced and 30.000 are in Nigeria as refugees.
While calling on parties to bear in mind the declaration of the Secretary General on the territorial integrity of Cameroon, Francois Lounceny Fall has challenged the Government of Cameroon to spearhead actions to bring lasting peace to the North West and South West regions.
“Conducting inclusive dialogue is the best way to guarantee stability in the country,” he proposed.
He also urged Cameroonian authorities to accelerate decentralisation pledging the support of the UN to peace efforts.
At the end of his presentation the United Kingdom acknowledged Cameroon’s territorial integrity but called on the Government to translate its “laudable” peace endeavors into reality in order to bring peace to the Anglophone regions. The United Kingdom’s representative echoed that concern, warning “there is a real possibility of a Cameroon crisis”. While emphasizing the importance of respecting that country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, he nevertheless expressed concern over shrinking space for political opposition, civil society and free media throughout the region, describing such groups as fundamental building blocks of long-term stability.
Poland called for inclusive dialogue and also frowned at violence by Government troops and separatist fighters. Authorities have been told to take measures to promote fundamental freedoms and stop violence.
Poland implored President Paul Biya to allow the UN conduct a humanitarian assessment mission to better have an understanding of the needs of the displaced population. The Polish representative called on the AU, ECCAS, CEMAC and Lake Chad Basin Commission to assist the Government in finding lasting peace.
France said it was preoccupied by the degrading situation in the restive regions and appealed for access of humanitarian assistance. While calling for the end to violence, she however told the Goverment to speed up preparations for the dialogue which “must be political and inclusive.”
Côte d’Ivoire’s representative agreed that the Central African countries themselves must drive a regional approach to these and other challenges, with other Council members also expressing robust support for regional actors.
South Africa’s representative emphasized that coherence and coordination among UNOCA, UNOWAS, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the African Union will help to strengthen responses to Boko Haram and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
He also expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Cameroon.
Belgium praised the report of the UN representative for Central Africa raised fears that the Anglophone Separatist conflict might escalate if not well handled. She proposed that a solution must involve Regional and sub regional bodies, as well internal partners .
South Africa’s representative emphasized that coherence and coordination among UNOCA, UNOWAS, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the African Union will help to strengthen responses to Boko Haram and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
He also expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Cameroon.
In a similar vein, the representative of the United States cited reports to the effect that 17 per cent of Cameroon’s population need assistance and aid convoys are being blocked amid mass arrests of demonstrators.
He welcomed the Government’s plan to address the crisis, while stressing that its efforts must be transparent and impartial in order to succeed.
China’s representative underlined that the Council must respect Cameroon’s territorial integrity and support its efforts to find solutions to its current challenges. While the international community should adopt an integrated approach to recent developments on the ground, States must make their own decisions on issues ranging from development to fighting the trafficking of drugs and weapons, he added.
The Russian Federation’s representative described Central Africa as the key to combating terrorism throughout the continent, including by fighting the illegal movement of drugs, weapons and natural resources.
To do so, regional multinational armed forces must have adequate financing to pursue and eradicate terrorist fighters, he said, adding that regional players must set the tone in overcoming crises and settling conflicts.
Also delivering statements were representatives of Poland, France, Belgium, Dominican Republic, Germany, Peru, Equatorial Guinea, Indonesia and Kuwait.
Human Rights Watch before the briefing Tuesday June 4, grumbled that the UN Security Council was not taking Cameroon’s case seriously,urging the body to include Cameroon in the Council’s hot files.
Nsoesie Peter
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