CI-NEWS

Rubio reflects on U.S. ally Cameroon’s war on terror, need to resist China and Russia.

2020-02-19

No: 472

Rubio reflects on U.S. ally Cameroon’s war on terror, need to resist China and Russia.

By Javier Manjarres February 17, 2020.

The nation of Cameroon recently held municipal and parliamentary elections for the first time in almost a decade and featured some 30 or more political parties vying for 360 municipal seats, including councils of the capital Yaounde and the economic center Douala. Almost 6 million Cameroonians were invited to visit one of 24,988 polling stations.

Last December, Cameroon’s parliament voted to give local mayors more governing control—a step the government hopes will bring peace to the conflict-ridden country, and help draw attention away from the 2018 presidential election cycle.

After years of delays due to threats of violence from a separatist movement in the country’s northwest and southwest, this election was an important moment in Cameroon’s democratic history, especially after that year’s election saw significant human rights violations committed by government security forces.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R), who sits on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, told The Floridian that even though the nation of Cameroon “is a strategic U.S. security partner,” those human rights issues ‘continue to be a major concern for the relationship” between U.S. and Cameroon.

Sen. Rubio also mentioned the threat Cameroon faces from the Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram, and used the opportunity to jab at the growing global threat that Russia and China pose.

“It is critical that the U.S. remain engaged in Cameroon and the region to combat terrorist organizations like Boko Haram and counter outside malign actors like China and Russia while also pressing Cameroon to respect human rights and the rule of law.” — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio

Cameroon currently hosts an active U.S. military drone base and participates in U.S. coordinated anti-terrorism and anti-piracy efforts with U.S. forces against Boko Haram and other potential threats.

While Boko Haram continues to be a threat to Cameroon and other West African nations, Cameroon’s violent separatist movements, who have argued for more representation within government and greater control over local issues, continue to be the most pressing issue for the Democratic government and U.S. ally.

Separatists have called for full separation from the country of Cameroon, though it is unclear exactly how much support they have from locals. They have also closed schools, harassed and abused teachers, and threatened populations who support the government in an effort to achieve their agenda. The victims of this violence recently filed legal action in the United States to try to get the US government to act on their behalf.

Secretary-General expresses concern over reported killing of civilians, including children, in Cameroon’s North-West Region

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned over reports about the killing of civilians, including children, in an attack on the village of Ngarbuh in the north-west Region of Cameroon on 14 February. He extends his deepest condolences to the families and calls on the Government of Cameroon to conduct an investigation and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

The Secretary-General calls on armed actors to refrain from attacks against civilians and to respect international humanitarian and international human rights law. He reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to work with all stakeholders towards a political solution to the crisis in the north-west and south-west regions of Cameroon through meaningful dialogue.

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Rubio reflects on U.S. ally Cameroon’s war on terror, need to resist China and Russia.