United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres in an interview this evening with the pan-African Magazine, Jeune Afrique has called on Mr. Paul Biya to dialogue with Ambazonia Leaders and Prof Maurice Kamto.
Here is an extract:
Jeune Afrique: The “grand national dialogue” of October 2019 in Cameroon has clearly failed to restore peace in the English-speaking regions of the country. Should we negotiate with English-speaking independentist leaders? Should the army withdraw from the English-speaking provinces?
António Guterres: Cameroon is an important pillar in Central Africa. The country is a generous host for thousands of refugees and I believe that the international community should become more involved in supporting the response in this area. Cameroon also plays an important role in the fight to eradicate terrorism and violent extremism in the Lake Chad basin. The UN is also concerned about the crisis in the northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon.
The national dialogue held last September led to the adoption of important measures, in particular with regard to the special status granted to these two regions. This is an important step, but it is also essential to initiate a dialogue with stakeholders who have not taken part in it.
The UN encourages the parties to get involved and will continue to advocate for a resolution of the crisis through inclusive dialogue. We unequivocally recall, at this stage, that the United Nations insists on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Cameroon. My special representative for Central Africa, François Louncény Fall, visited Yaoundé in January with the secretary general of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
I join their call for calm and serenity in the electoral process leading to the legislative and municipal elections scheduled for February 9. UN efforts also continue to seek solutions to human rights issues as well as to the worsening humanitarian situation, following violence and attacks in the southwest, northwest and north of the country. country.
Increased efforts are needed to protect civilians, especially women and children, as well as to meet the urgent needs of refugees and displaced persons. All acts of violence must be firmly condemned and transparent investigations must take place so that justice can be done.