Four years after the Major National Dialogue held in Yaounde from September 29 to October 4, 2019, the committee to follow up on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the gathering is meeting in Buea.
The meeting, which started on Friday, August 11, 2023, is being chaired by Cameroon’s Prime Minister, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute.
Dr. Dion Ngute is representing President Paul Biya.
Many questions have been raised about the balance sheet of the dialogue’s outcome.
Government gives itself a pass.
Authorities have revealed that close to 1,000 Separatists who have been fighting for a breakaway state called ‘Ambazonia’ have “dropped their arms and embraced peace.
They are currently being nurtured and integrated under the Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) program.
In August 2023, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), pumped in 21 billion FCFA to boost the reconstruction of the conflict-hit North West and South West Regions.
This was in addition to the 250 million from the Association of Banking Institutions of Cameroon, APECCAM.
“The new support is based on the achievement of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the North West and South West Regions, PPRD-NW/SW,” authorities said.
Normalcy?
While citing cultural and football activities, authorities claim that life has also returned to normal in the English-speaking regions.
Over 60,000 IPDs have returned home, and more councils are now fully active on the ground in carrying out development projects. The government has also succeeded in getting fresh investments back into the two regions.
Major development projects have seen the light of day in the two regions. This is the case with the Kumba-Loum road, which is under rehabilitation. The same is true for the Bamenda-Babadjou Road and the Kumba –Ekondo Titi Road.
More community roads are being attended to, among others.
Reality!
Analysts and critics have said these claims and figures do not reflect the reality on the ground.
Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are detonating every day, causing lives to be lost and thousands of children, unable to go to school due to rising insecurity and attacks.
In fact, the number of IDPs has witnessed a sharp increase in the past months.
The International Crisis Group estimates that 6,000 people have lost their lives, while local NGOs believe that number is much higher and is “extremely under-reported.
The administration in Yaounde and the Separatists have been resistant to calls for dialogue.
Drivers continue to have significant difficulties on the Bamenda-Babadjou road, especially during the wet season.
There is still much work to be done before communities can once again live in peace and trust one another.
