UNOY Members Call for a Cease-Fire and Meaningful Dialogue to Resolve the ‘Anglophone Crisis’ in Cameroon
Since October 2016, the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon have been plagued by an escalating socio-political crisis. Since 2017, the crisis has resulted in an estimated 1,850 number of deaths, 530.000 internally displaced and tens of thousands of refugees. Kidnappings, blackmailing, arbitrary arrests and assaults have become the order of the day in affected regions. October is fast approaching again, and the conflict in the Anglophone regions is still a deadlock, as there has been no dialogue between both parties in the crisis.
Against this backdrop of human rights violations, tension, unrest and insecurity, the United Network of Young of Peacebuilders, as a global network of youth-led peacebuilding organisations with members in Cameroon, calls for a cease-fire and inclusive meaningful dialogue between the relevant groups involved. We strongly condemn all human rights violations perpetrated by both state and non-state forces, while calling on all stakeholders and the international community to encourage the non-violent return to peace. We recommend the following actions to be undertaken:
The government of the Republic of Cameroon should
- facilitate a cease fire through the demilitarisation of both Anglophone regions of the country, while ensuring that stabilisation, recovery and resilience building are informed and guided by the needs of the affected communities;
- support the identification of victims and accelerate rehabilitation measures and provide an avenue for restorative justice to victims so that they can forgive and accept the reintegration of the fighters;
- consider unconditional release of all those imprisoned since the outbreak of the crisis. This will lay the foundations to build trust on both sides and to show good faith in the impartial resolution of this conflict by state actors;
- establish a platform for inclusive dialogue and consultation on the claims put forth by the secessionists parties, so to address grievances and structural challenges at the root of these claims using peaceful and transformative conflict resolution, in line with finding a long lasting solution to the crisis.
The leaders of the secessionists groups are encouraged to develop non-violent ways to bring about their claims, protect civilians on all sides, and geared towards establishing a constructive dialogue with the state.
While we applaud the creation of the DDR Commission, there is a need for the abolition of Law *No. 2014/028 of 23 December 2014 on the suppression of acts of terrorism. This law hinders the effectiveness of the DDR Commission by establishing death penalty to perpetrators. Separatist fighters cannot be expected to lay down their arms to surrender if they risk the death penalty.
Finally, we call for the inclusion of women, youth, religious and traditional leaders, who are currently excluded from the DDR process. Their inclusion and meaningful participation is essential in the promotion of reconciliation, prevention and countering violent extremism through localised and inclusive dialogue processes.
Signed by:
Ali Fayez, Asia representative
Christian Cito, Americas representative
Rafiu Lawal, West & Central Africa representative
Rebecca Hovhannisyan, Europe representative
Tobias Saratiel, East & Southern Africa representative
Yazeed Al Jeddawy, Middle East & North Africa representative