CI-NEWS

International conference to discuss armed conflict in NW, SW to hold at last!

2020-09-01

No: 527

International conference to discuss armed conflict in NW, SW to hold at last!

Initially planned for March 2020 by the Coalition for Dialogue and negotiation, an international conference to discuss armed conflict in the North West and South West region of Cameroon was postponed to a later date as a result of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

It has now been scheduled to take place on October 30, 2020, and will be held via videoconferencing.

In a press release by the Coalition for Dialogue and Negotiations (CDN), a coalition created to end war in the two Anglophone regions, the group highlighted the recent escalations in the armed conflicts in the two regions as one of the main push factors for the acceleration of plans to hold the conference and hence, seek for possible solutions to the conflict that has raged on for four years now.

“Given the urgency of the situation and after due consultations with various stakeholders, we have rescheduled the International Conference on the Armed Conflict in Southern Cameroons to October 30 to November 1, 2020. Due to travel restrictions, this conference will only be organized virtually… All Southern Cameroonians must come together to define a path to durable negotiations and an end to the armed conflicts,” the press release explains.

“The conference will have two main objectives on its agenda”, revealed CDN.

“Engage all segments and professionals of Southern Cameroons origin to establish the majority view on the pathway to a permanent negotiated solution to the armed conflict , and Develop a detailed framework for a robust post-conflict reconstruction,” said the group.

The coalition has equally put in place a credible authentication process to ensure the decisions and positions during this conference represent the views of the Southern Cameroonian attendees. The coalition to this then re-echoed their call for Cameroonians from all walks of life to make it a priority to attend the virtual conference and be active participants of the conflict resolution process.

Following is the press release in its entirety:

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE ARMED CONFLICT IN THE SOUTHERN

CAMEROONS TO HOLD FROM OCTOBER 30 – NOVEMBER 1, 2020

Conference to bring together all Southern Cameroonians, define the pathway forward and develop a detailed framework for robust post-conflict reconstruction

24th August 2020 - (London | Berlin | Washington D.C) – Originally planned for March 2020 the InternationalConference on the Armed Conflict in the Southern Cameroons was postponed indefinitely due to the growing COVID-19 pandemic. We are pleased to announce that this conference will now take place from October 30 – November 1, 2020 and will be online only.

The last few months have seen, unfortunately, a severe escalation in the armed conflict in the Southern Cameroons. Gross human rights abuses are registered daily with women and children bearing the brunt of it. Despite a recent United Nations resolution for a global ceasefire, the conflict in the Southern Cameroons is rather escalating. There is currently a stalemate in the Swiss initiative and no credible pathway for a broad-based negotiation to resolve the conflict.

The Coalition for Dialogue and Negotiations has again undertaken consultations in view of identifying a pathway for durable negotiations. All Southern Cameroonians must come together to define a path to durable negotiations and an end to the armed conflict.

Given the urgency of the situation and after due consultations with various stakeholders, we have rescheduled the International Conference on the Armed Conflict in Southern Cameroons to October 30 to November 1, 2020. Due to travel restrictions this conference will be organized VIRTUALLY.

The 3-DAY Virtual Conference will bring together Southern Cameroonians from all walks of life: civil society leaders, all leaders of “restorationist” (separatist) groups, Southern Cameroons political leaders, activists, religious and traditional leaders, legislators, businessmen and businesswomen, youth leaders, academics, media personalities and members of the diaspora.

The theme of the conference is:

“Defining a Pathway for Our Future”

The Conference has two main objectives:

1. Engage all segments and professionals of Southern Cameroons origin to establish the majority view on a pathway to a permanent negotiated solution to the armed conflict, and

2. Develop a detailed framework for a robust post-conflict reconstruction.

The seven previously established Working Groups (WG) will guide deliberations throughout the conference.

WGs are made up of technical experts, representatives from major stakeholder groups and interested Southern Cameroonians. The seven Working Groups are: (1) Mediation and Negotiations; (2) Healthcare and Humanitarian Relief; (3) Judiciary and Constitutional Affairs; (4) Peacebuilding and Public Security; (5)

Economic Reconstruction; (6) Education and Vocational Empowerment; and (7) Governance.

The Coalition has put in place a credible authentication process to ensure the decisions and positions during this conference represent the views of Southern Cameroonian attendees. We strongly encourage Southern Cameroonians from all walks of life to become actively engaged. The stakes could not be higher. We need to do everything possible to bring a durable end to this escalating war.

Individuals can become involved by clicking the following links:

Submit A Written or Oral Statement

On Twitter using #SCIC2020DC

To allow for proper planning please register by September 30, 2020. For important conference timeline and

information, please visit the website at: https://aic.coalitionfdn.org

Previous Conference Registration

The Coalition thanks all Southern Cameroonians who previously registered for the Conference. Registration fees will be returned in the next week. Kindly contact the Coalition for refunds.

About the Coalition for Dialogue and Negotiations

The Coalition for Dialogue and Negotiations (CDN) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) with the specific goal of facilitating dialogue and negotiations towards ending the war in Southern Cameroons. CDN is made of professionals from all works of life and over 20 partner organizations worldwide advocating for an end to the war. CDN members work with its partners to strengthen international involvement in resolving the conflict and building durable peace in the conflict affected territories.

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International conference to discuss armed conflict in NW, SW to hold at last!