CI-NEWS

Moving towards a ceasefire in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions.

2020-04-05

No: 479

Moving towards a ceasefire in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions.

By Mathieu Olivier

On Wednesday, 25 March, the Southern Cameroons Defence Forces (SOCADEF), an Ambazonian armed group, agreed to the United Nations’ call for a ceasefire due to the coronavirus outbreak impacting the country.

The Cameroon government has yet to respond.

“SOCADEF are prepared to support the ceasefire and will ensure the security and free circulation of international observers and humanitarian organisations in Ambazonia […] in accordance with human rights law,” Ebenezer Akwanga, the leader of the separatist movement, wrote in a letter signed in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday 25 March. It was addressed to Cameroon’s President Paul Biya.

The SOCADEF chairman, who also heads the African People’s Liberation Movement (APLM), seized the occasion to call on the “authorities and security forces of the Republic of Cameroon to respond to the call made by the secretary-general of the United Nations,” before adding, “we are ready to meet with representatives designated by the Republic of Cameroon to work out the appropriate implementation of the ceasefire.”

Protecting populations that are “already vulnerable”

On Monday, 23 March, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an “immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world” to protect the most vulnerable civilians in conflict-ridden countries from the “fury” of the coronavirus pandemic. The mediators at the Switzerland-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre) did not pass up the opportunity to make a case for peace.

The Swiss organisation, which still hopes that a dialogue will take place between the Cameroonian government and Ambazonian leaders, launched an initiative on 23 March to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. “The virus doesn’t respect borders or front lines,” said HD Centre executive director David Harland.

“Populations in war zones are already vulnerable and at huge new risk. And there is also a risk to the world, as those conflict-affected areas could become ‘super incubators’ for the virus unless we act now,” he added.

Moving towards dialogue?

The HD Centre contacted some Ambazonian armed groups, and SOCADEF were the first to adhere to the UN call for a ceasefire. According to our information, the Cameroonian government has yet to respond officially to the UN Secretary-General’s initiative.

“The idea was to use this as an opportunity to urge the Ambazonians to make a gesture of goodwill to the government,” said a source close to the matter, with the hope that “it could promote the beginning of a dialogue after the coronavirus pandemic is over.”

Please get me home to my dying son' - Dad stranded in Cameroon's plea to SA govt

A South African father stranded in Cameroon is pleading with government to allow him to return home to care for his son who is terminally ill with cancer.

Reginald Faulmann told News24 he has reached out to the government for assistance, and is now awaiting a response.

Faulmann, 62, has been stranded in Douala, Cameroon, since 18 March. His son, Jody, 39, lives in Cape Town.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement of a 21-day nationwide lockdown means all international and domestic flights are prohibited, irrespective of the risk category of the country of origin.

"My son is terminally ill with cancer and he has very little time left. I need to see him before it is too late," he said on Monday.

"I am pleading with the South African government to assist me in getting back home to see my son. I am praying that I get a response to this message as soon as possible," he added.

Faulmann, shared his correspondence with Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson Lunga Ngqengelele, who said the department was looking into the matter.

While Ngqengelele, in his correspondence with the family, sympathised with the circumstances, he said there is difficulty surrounding commercial flights due to travel restrictions.

News24 contacted Ngqengelele for further comment, who said stranded citizens abroad should contact their nearest embassy.

"Please ask them to contact the embassy near to them. In instances where stranded citizens are unable to reach the missions abroad, the contact details of the Dirco operations room in Pretoria are as follows : +27 12 351 1754; +27 12 351 1000; email address: Dircopress01@dirco.gov.za," he said.

*The story has been updated to reflect the correct gender of the parent.

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Moving towards a ceasefire in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions.