CI-NEWS

Cameroon MPs pass devolution bill for Anglophone regions.

2019-12-24

No: 462

Cameroon MPs pass devolution bill for Anglophone regions.

A bill granting special status to Cameroon's two crisis-hit Anglophone regions has been passed by lawmakers and approved by the Senate in an attempt to ease two years of violence.

When it comes into force, the western areas where separatists are fighting government troops will be able to develop their own education and justice policies, it said.

Cameroon's North West and South West Regions are home to most of the country's English speakers, who account for about a fifth of a population that is otherwise French-speaking.

Decades of resentment at perceived discrimination have boiled over into an armed campaign for independence that has been met with a brutal crackdown.

More than 3,000 people have been killed in violence by both sides, and around 600,000 people have fled their homes, the International Crisis Group has estimated.

Separatists boycott proposed national dialogue

In October, veteran President Paul Biya's regime held what it called a "major national dialogue" to settle the Anglophone crisis, but the main separatist movements boycotted the forum.

More autonomy for the English-speaking regions was one of the key recommendations of the talks, which have so far failed to bring peace and had been criticised for a lack of legislative follow-up.

The United States has since backed the prospect of devolved power in the troubled regions, saying that the government's military response was only strengthening separatists.

Cameroon has called parliamentary and municipal polls for February 2020, two years after Biya's disputed re-election triggered a major crisis.

US Congresswoman slams separatists for kidnapping candidates for Cameroon’s 9 Feb. 2020 polls

US Congress member, Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, has condemned Anglophone separatists for kidnapping candidates for Cameroon’s 9 Feb. 2020 polls. In a statement issued on 17 December she said the actions “are counterproductive and not conducive to following statement in response to the kidnapping of opposition candidates by armed separatists in Cameroon.” Following is the statement in its entirety:

“I am alarmed by the recent kidnapping of local official and parliamentary candidates by armed separatists. These actions are counterproductive and not conducive to solving the conflict in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon. Those advocating for independence must understand that preying on innocent Cameroonians who simply want to exercise their civic duties will not help them get any closer to an independent state. I encourage separatists to commit to peacefully resolving the conflict in order for the country to have open and fair elections for all in 2020.”

Russia commits to disclosing sources of financing for terrorists in Central Africa

Worried that “Boko Haram” preserves its assault capacity in Central Africa, Russia has committed to disclose sources of financing for terrorists in the region which plays a key role from the point of view of countering the spread of terrorism on the African continent.

In a statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at a Security Council briefing on the Central African region recently, he also expressed hope that recommendations that were articulated at Cameroon’s Major National dialogue “will soon be put to life”. Following is the statement in its entirety:

Mm. President,

We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General François Lonseny Fall for the assessments of the situation in the Central African region that he presented. We also closely followed the speech of Sasha Leznhev.

Russia unfailingly supports activity of the UN Office in Central Africa (UNOCA) as an important tool of preventive diplomacy.

Countries of this sub-region face challenges that have a complex nature. In this regard, it is vital that regionals should be at the forefront when it comes to crisis prevention and conflict settlement. We welcome commitment of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to finalizing the institutional reform that should strengthen the potential of this organization that is vital for the sub-region.

Mm. President,

Central Africa plays a key role from the point of view of countering the spread of terrorism on the continent. Pervasion of radical and terrorist elements in this sub-region goes along with illicit trafficking in arms, drugs, natural resources, and mineral deposits.

We have been concerned by the information that “Boko Haram” preserves its assault capacity and is capable of high-profile acts. Activity of “Boko Haram” in Chad and Cameroon does not go down either. Extremists attack peaceful citizens, UN personnel, NGO representatives, military outposts.

We are also worried by the influx of foreign terrorists to “Boko Haram”, including militants from the “Islamic State”.

We attach special importance to regional efforts aimed at developing coordinated approaches to any manifestations of terrorism. Here is a good example – activity of the Multinational Joint Task Force. It is crucial to ensure its adequate financing.

For our part, we are ready to continue working in various formats in order to eradicate terrorist threat on the African continent. We pay specific attention to disclosing sources of financing of local terrorists, and their contacts with other international radical groups.

Mm. President,

We keep close track of developments in the Central African Republic. We support efforts taken by President F-A. Touadéra and directed at a prompt reform of the security sector and improvement of capacity of armed forces. The Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR dated 6 February lays the groundwork for further settlement in the country. Russia will set forth assistance to national reconciliation by coordinating efforts with all those who are involved in searching for ways to normalize the situation.

Another instability factor in the Central African region is piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. Unfortunately, villainous attacks on foreign marine vessels continue, including attacks that take hostages. Our country has a positive experience of participation in international efforts that counter piracy in the North-West of the Indian Ocean – I mean the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. We hope this expertise may be of help to respond to similar challenges that occur in the Gulf of Guinea.

We are concerned by unstopping activities of the “Lord's Resistance Army” that still undertakes looting and robberies in some areas of the CAR, the DRC and South Sudan. States of the Central Africa should not shift focus of their attention from combatting this group. We hope the concept of curbing this threat that is being elaborated under the auspices of the African Union and ECCAS will yield fruit.

Mm. President,

We follow the developments in Cameroon. The problem of Anglophone provinces is deeply rooted. Solution to the problems in Cameroon can only be found at the negotiation table, given compliance with the rule of law and observing of human rights. We call upon all sides in Cameroon to stay reserved and abandon any use of violence. In this regard, we welcome the nation-wide dialogue that was taking place from 30 September to 4 October. We hope recommendations that were articulated there will soon be put to life.

In conclusion, we would like to remind that threats and challenges that Central Africa encounters are closely interconnected, whereas African states are very interdependent. Destabilization of situation in one country might crush the security of neighbouring states. That is why it is crucial not to cross the line between prevention and interference in internal affairs.

Thank you.

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Cameroon MPs pass devolution bill for Anglophone regions.