Cameroon will start a “national dialogue” on Monday in a bid to end the separatist conflict in the country’s Anglophone provinces, but key rebel leaders have already refused to participate.

Nearly 3,000 people have died and half a million fled their homes since fighting broke out in 2017 between the army and armed fighters who want independence for Cameroon’s two English-speaking provinces.

The talks, led by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, are scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 4 at the Congressional palace in the capital Yaounde.

President Paul Biya, who has been in power for 37 years, hopes the talks will end a crisis that is also hurting the economy of the coffee and cocoa-producing Central African country.

October 1 marks the second anniversary of the spiral towards conflict – the declaration of the self-described “Republic of Ambazonia” for Cameroon’s English-speaking minority.

Even before it began, the national dialogue ran into trouble with many activists arrested and experts voicing scepticism that it would yield tangible results.

English-speakers account for about a fifth of Cameroon’s population of 24 million, who are majority French-speaking.

Anglophones are mainly concentrated in two western areas, the Northwest Region and the Southwest Region that were incorporated into the French-speaking state after the colonial era in Africa wound down 60 years ago. Many locals there complain of discrimination and marginalisation.

In a report published last week, the International Crisis Group (ICG) estimated that around 3,000 people have been killed by separatist violence and the military crackdown.

The ICG said the talks do not include separatists or Anglophone leaders who support more federalist solutions.

“It thus risks further frustrating Anglophones widening the gulf between the two sides and empowering hardliners,” the group said.

“The government should make greater space for Anglophones, particularly federalists who are willing to attend. It should also seek a neutral facilitator.”

Biya’s government has rejected both a return to more federalism and any proposed separation.

But Anglophone supporters are also divided between those two options for their regions.

The government’s dialogue spokesman, George Ewane, said Cameroonian authorities had held preliminary discussions with some separatists, adding that even hardliners were welcome to join the talks.

‘Smokescreen’

Mark Bareta, a separatist leader who is very active on social media, was the one most open to dialogue and it was through him that invitations to the others were sent, Ewane said.

But on Friday, Bareta announced that he was pulling out, saying that “the only way to have real negotiations is to hold them on neutral territory”.

Of the 16 separatist leaders invited, those heading armed groups such as Ebenezer Akwanga and Cho Ayaba are also snubbing the talks.

Akwanga told AFP that the event was a “smokescreen for the international community rather than an attempt to secure a complete and lasting solution … to the annexation of our country, Southern Cameroons.”

Most of the leaders have expressed willingness to hold talks with the government but in the presence of an international mediator and in a foreign country with the terms for secession the main item on the agenda, according to the ICG.

However, more moderate Anglophones like Cardinal Christian Tumi, the influential archbishop of Cameroon’s commercial capital Douala, have welcomed the initiative and urged the separatists to participate.

‘We can’t talk to ghosts’

An official from the Southwest Region said traditional chiefs had asked armed groups to attend the talks but they had spurned the offer.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, however asked the groups to “emerge from the woodwork”, adding that “measures have been taken to ensure the security of those who attend.”

“We cannot talk with ghosts,” the official said.

Locals are meanwhile divided about the outcome of the talks.

“No good can come of this. It’s a game,” said a hardcore secessionist who identified himself as Agbor.

“If we must go for talks, it would be to discuss the terms of separation and not anything else,” he said.

But Jeannette Benga, a prominent figure of civil society in Buea, the capital of the Southwest region, voiced hope that “the two come to an agreement.”

Blaise Chamango, the head of an NGO said the five-day talks were not enough to “debate the anglophone crisis and the other major problems in Cameroon.”

SOURCE: AFP NEWS AGENCY

Ambazonia Vice President Dabney Yerima has said that the French Cameroun regime under President Paul Biya is using the war in the Federal Republic of Ambazonia as a cover for its successful failures in La Republique du Cameroun.

Comrade Dabney Yerima also pointed out that the French Cameroun despot is running out of ideas and is now making accusations against the people of Southern Cameroons and the Ambazonia Interim Government as a cover for failures stemming from corruption and mediocrity deep within the Francophone system.

Vice President Yerima added that Yaounde’s destructive policies against Ambazonia should not be overlooked despite the French Cameroun regime’s tendency to blame Southern Cameroons Restoration Forces for the 37 years of failure in leadership.

The comments from the Ambazonia second-in-command came in response to the so-called national dialogue recently announced by the 86 year old French Cameroun leader and the decision by the Southern Cameroons Interim Government to appoint veteran US diplomat Herman J. Cohen as a spokesperson for the Ambazonians in the Yaoundé talks.

Dabney Yerima went on to list a number of French Cameroun regime’s vicious policies against the Federal Republic of Ambazonia, such as the onslaught in both the Northern and Zones of Southern Cameroons, Biya regime’s killing of peaceful Ambazonia political dissidents, lack of democracy in French Cameroun and respect for human rights while on a daily basis committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Southern Cameroons.

By Chi Prudence Asong in London

On 10 September, President Paul Biya proposed a national dialogue aimed at addressing the two-year conflict between his government and Anglophone separatists that has laid waste to Cameroon’s North West and South West regions.

The dialogue could be an opportunity for his government and Anglophone leaders to table potential solutions. As proposed, however, it will neither include separatist leaders nor leave much room for Anglophones who support federalism within Cameroon’s borders. It thus risks further frustrating Anglophones, widening the gulf between the two sides and empowering hardliners.

To improve the dialogue’s prospects, the government should make greater space for Anglophones, particularly federalists who are willing to attend. It should also seek a neutral facilitator and accept the African Union (AU)’s and the UN’s offers to help.

Source: International Crisis Group

The mood in English-speaking Cameroon is a mix of anxiety, resignation and fatigue as the clock ticks.

On September 30, the government will start hosting a national “dialogue” on the future of the anglophone territories, where separatist violence and a government crackdown have cost thousands of lives and forced hundreds of thousands to flee.

The following day, October 1, marks the second anniversary of this spiral towards conflict — the declaration of the self-described “Republic of Ambazonia” for Cameroon’s English-speaking minority.

Traders in Buea, the capital of Cameroon’s Southwest Region, say they are under relentless pressure to choose sides.

The militants have staged “dead city” protests every Monday, aimed at bringing the English-speaking regions to a standstill.

If traders close their store, they risk being punished by the authorities. But if they keep it open, they face the wrath of separatists for ignoring strike calls.

“If you’re stubborn,” said snack-bar owner Jeremie, the separatists “come back and burn down your property or they’ll follow you and pay you a visit.”

“We’re scared,” said a man who asked not to be named. He kept his shop open on Monday but said he feared the arrival of the “Amba-boys” at any minute.

A member of a local NGO said the army had recently managed to secure a volatile part of Buea because it found informants among residents fed up with racketeering by separatists.

“The Amba-boys who operate in town from time to time come from rather remote parts,” he said, asking not to be identified.

English-speakers account for about a fifth of Cameroon’s population of 24 million, who are majority French-speaking.

Anglophones are mainly concentrated in two western areas, the Northwest Region and the Southwest Region, that were incorporated into the French-speaking state after the colonial era in Africa wound down six decades ago.

Years of mounting resentment at perceived discrimination exploded in 2017, unleashing a conflict that has claimed more than 2,000 lives, according to International Crisis Group (ICG) thinktank, while the UN says at least half a million have fled their homes.

– Fatigue and scepticism –

All the people approached by AFP in Buea expressed weariness at the situation.

None voiced much hope for the “Great National Dialogue” announced on September 10 on President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for 37 years.

The five-day forum will take place in Yaounde under the aegis of Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, who comes from the troubled territory.

Several separatist forces and some opposition parties have announced a boycott. Many of their leaders and activists have been imprisoned, but Biya said that “recent court decisions” were no obstacle to talks.

“One of the prerequisites should have been a cessation of hostilities,” teacher Virginie said as armed troops passed by.

In her eyes, the dialogue “has already failed before it even started.”

“We’re so tired of this situation,” said Kingsley Ebong, employed by a state-run firm. “We hope that the dialogue works. Above all, people need to go there with goodwill.”

– ‘Waste of time’ –

“The dialogue is a waste of time,” said a lawyer who wanted to remain anonymous. “The anglophone problem has persisted for many years. The government can’t pretend to be unaware (of it).”

Many English-speakers favour partition, considering themselves estranged from the rest of a nation where they say the francophone majority has a lock grip on power and wealth.

Most leaders who want independence, like Sisuku Ayuk Tabe, sentenced to life in jail in August for “terrorism”, have rejected the offer of dialogue. In public, Ayuk Tabe called for secession based on talks.

Some moderate anglophone leaders would like to introduce a presidency rotating between the two language groups, coupled with a federation of eight states, according to the press.

But Biya, after he was re-elected in 2018, ruled out any move towards federalism or the notion that he would be ready to relinquish the presidency.

Source: AFP

In English-speaking Cameroon, there is little optimism that the forthcoming National Dialogue will resolve the decades-long Anglophone crisis.

On September 30, the government will start hosting a national “dialogue” on the future of the anglophone territories, where separatist violence and a government crackdown have cost thousands of lives and forced hundreds of thousands to flee.

The following day, October 1, marks the second anniversary of this spiral towards conflict — the declaration of the self-described “Republic of Ambazonia” for Cameroon’s English-speaking minority.

One of the prerequisites should have been a cessation of hostilities.

Choosings sides

Traders in Buea, the capital of Cameroon’s Southwest Region, say they are under relentless pressure to choose sides.

The militants have staged “dead city” protests every Monday, aimed at bringing the English-speaking regions to a standstill.

If traders close their store, they risk being punished by the authorities. But if they keep it open, they face the wrath of separatists for ignoring strike calls.

“If you’re stubborn,” said snack-bar owner Jeremie, the separatists “come back and burn down your property or they’ll follow you and pay you a visit.”

“We’re scared,” said a man who asked not to be named. He kept his shop open on Monday but said he feared the arrival of the “Amba-boys” at any minute.

A member of a local NGO said the army had recently managed to secure a volatile part of Buea because it found informants among residents fed up with racketeering by separatists.

“The Amba-boys who operate in town from time to time come from rather remote parts,” he said, asking not to be identified.

Will National Dialogue succeed?

All the people approached by AFP in Buea expressed weariness at the situation.

None voiced much hope for the “Great National Dialogue” announced on September 10 on President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for 37 years.

The five-day forum will take place in Yaounde under the leadership of Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, who comes from the troubled territory.

Several separatist forces and some opposition parties have announced a boycott. Many of their leaders and activists have been imprisoned, but Biya said that “recent court decisions” were no obstacle to talks.

“One of the prerequisites should have been a cessation of hostilities,” teacher Virginie said as armed troops passed by.

In her eyes, the dialogue “has already failed before it even started.”

“We’re so tired of this situation,” said Kingsley Ebong, employed by a state-run firm. “We hope that the dialogue works. Above all, people need to go there with goodwill.”

“The dialogue is a waste of time,” said a lawyer who wanted to remain anonymous. “The anglophone problem has persisted for many years. The government can’t pretend to be unaware (of it).”

Quest for independence

Many English-speakers favour partition, considering themselves estranged from the rest of a nation where they say the francophone majority has a lock grip on power and wealth.

Most leaders who want independence, like Sisuku Ayuk Tabe, sentenced to life in jail in August for “terrorism”, have rejected the offer of dialogue. In public, Ayuk Tabe called for secession based on talks.

Some moderate anglophone leaders would like to introduce a presidency rotating between the two language groups, coupled with a federation of eight states, according to the press.

But Biya, after he was re-elected in 2018, ruled out any move towards federalism or the notion that he would be ready to relinquish the presidency.

The Anglophone crisis

English-speakers account for about a fifth of Cameroon’s population of 24 million, who are majority French-speaking.

Anglophones are mainly concentrated in two western areas, the Northwest Region and the Southwest Region, that were incorporated into the French-speaking state after the colonial era in Africa wound down six decades ago.

Years of mounting resentment at perceived discrimination exploded in 2017, unleashing a conflict that has claimed more than 2,000 lives, according to International Crisis Group (ICG) thinktank, while the UN says at least half a million have fled their homes.

AFP