Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Memo of Fako Lawyers to the PM on the Occasion of His Peace Searching Mission to the S.W Region
MEMORANDUM PRESENTED TO THE PRIME MINISTER HEAD OFGOVERNMENT ON THE OCCASION OF HIS MAIDEN VISIT AS PRIME MINISTER TO THE SOUTH WEST REGION BY LAWYERS IN FAKO DIVISION. - 14/05/19
Your Excellency,
Permit us to begin by congratulating you on your brilliant appointment as Prime Minister(PM) of the Republic of Cameroon. We pray that the good Lord will guard and guide you in this rather daunting task. Your visit to this region comes at a time when the socio-political atmosphere is tense. Our lifes have been affected by three years of socio-political crisis turn to war. It is therefore of paramount importance that we urgently begin to look for solutions. As lawyers, meeting with the PM affords us another opportunity to present some of our urgent challenges both in the administration of justice and peaceful co-existence in our communities. We therefore propose to make this presentation in two parts.
- The plight of the Common Law Lawyers, and
- The socio-political Crisis in Cameroon
In dealing with these issues, we propose to duel more on the way forward rather than on the causes. Except of course where recapitulating will help in comprehension.
I. THE PLIGHT OF THE COMMON LAW LAWS.
Your Excellency, the Common Law Lawyers in this country have over the past three decades, sent a plethora of Memoranda to government decrying the systematic and deliberate efforts to crush our system of justice. Things came to a head in 2016 when in a bid to discuss our difficulties, we scheduled two meetings in Bamenda and Buea, for the 8th and 10th of October 2016. We were prevented from accessing the court of Appeal premises in Bamenda causing lawyers to descend on the streets in Bamenda. The meeting scheduled for Buea on the 10th was aborted when a marauding police unit dispatched from Douala, invaded the territory, pulled lawyers form their cars and subjecting them to the most humiliating torture ever dreamt of. Lawyers wigs and gowns were seized and to this day, not even an apology has been tendered even though the wigs and gowns are with the Divisional officer of Buea. This is to demonstrate that it was a well plan and executed government scheme designed to subdue Common Law Lawyers now and for ever.
Now that you are here, permit us outline some of those issues that Common lawyers have been decrying over the years.
1. Appointment of Notaries:
For some time now, attempts have been made to appoint notaries in Anglophone Cameroon. We decry this for the following reasons. First and foremost, by our training, we are trained as advocates, solicitors and Notaries. We have practiced in this manner since independence. We have been serving our people well and there is no public clamour for change, safe from those who want to take away our jobs and subject our people to hardship. Secondly, the concept of appointing Notaries is a civil Law concept, therefore we see any attempt in that direction as a deliberate and calculated attack on anglophones in this country.
2. Stop Harmonisation.
We have noted with dismay that the policy of harmonisation is a deliberate strategy to frenchify all anglophones in this country. It is therefore our position that the government put an immediate stop to the policy of harmonisation. Laws must not be harmonised. We should be proud of our diverse legal cultures and work hard to strengthen each component of our system rather than kill the common Law. Under the guise of harmonisation, we have seen our most cherished Law of Evidence scrapped in criminal matters. We have seen the standard of proof in criminal matters move from an objective standard of “beyond reasonable doubts” to the subjective standard of “beyond doubts” (a near impossibility in law). We have seen the means of proof reduced to proof by any means. (which may include evidence received through torture and other forms of duress).
Harmonisation must therefore be stopped forthwith. The continues attempt at Harmonisationis a mockery of the Common Law Division at the Supreme court.
3.The Invasion of our Courts by Civil Law Magistrates.
The quality of justice dispensed in our courts today, leaves much to be desired. Most of our courts and legal departments are manned by French speaking civil law trained magistrates. In fact, as we speak, the number of French speaking civil law trained magistrates in the region surpasses the number of Common law trained magistrates in anglophone Cameroon. In fact we have had incidents were judgements are delivered in French in Anglophone Cameroon.There is no other word to describe this than a policy of ASSIMILATION. The only way to stop this assimilation is to replace these judges and magistrates with Common law trained judges. This is even more urgent when we take into consideration the fact that a CommonLaw Division has been created in the Supreme Court.
4. Stop the Impending CODE CIVILE
Your excellency, are anglophones a colonised people? Why must our laws be scrapped and civil law imposed on us? The Final process of assimilation will be completed once the muted Code Civile will be enacted into law. What is wrong with our laws that they must be diluted by an inferior system. You may rest assured that Common Law Lawyers are ready to resist such a Code Civil with all our might. We are ready to start the second phase of the struggle that we began in 2016 if the said Code Civile is enacted into Law.
Your Excellency, we could go on and on enumerating our challenges, however, we believe that the above 4 examples give you a birds eye view of our frustrations and also our determination.
In the face of these difficulties, Common Law Lawyers in 2015 proposed that to ensure that our system and our people are protected and reassured, we must return to the 1961 federal structure of the country. To this plea, we received no responses other than brutality. The intransigence of government at the time is the result of three years of crisis and a fratricidal war. Today's, so much water has gone under the bridge and lives have been lost. Whole villages have been wiped out, hundreds of thousands displaced, tens of thousands have become refugees. The responses so far by government have been peripheral, half hearted, grossly insufficient and even a denial of the problem. With your coming into government, there is hope for a new beginning. We therefore feel compelled to contribute our views as to the way forward.
If government is serious about resolving this problem once and for all, it must recognise that the period of intimidation, blackmail and divide and rule is over. At least amongst anglophones. Government must at all times know that Anglophones will not stop at any thing until they achieve self-determination. A unitary decentralised state is dead and buried. Whether it will be internal or external self-determination, will be the result of negotiations between the component parts of this country. As lawyers, we wish to limit our
selves for now on the confidence building measures that must be put in place to facilitate trust toward working together in the search for a viable solution.
1. Release All Prisoners of the Anglophone Crisis.
This is a condition sine qua non to any hopes for any frank and trust worthy negotiations. Sissuku Ayuk Tabe and his team now represent the face of the revolution and any purported negotiations not sanctioned by them is bound to fail. For them to be fully involved in the negotiations, they need to be free people. But as you must be aware, Sissuku Ayuk Tabe will not proceed to negotiate if other anglophones arrested because of this crisis are in detention.
2. Demilitarise anglophone cameroon
The number of soldiers in our communities is so disproportionate and terrorising to our populations. Most of them, and in fact whole units can only communicate in french. This creates animosity with the civilian population. If government is serious, about resolving this crisis, it should demilitarise Anglophone Cameroon. This is a necessary step.
3. Grant General Amnesty
There is the need for a general and unconditional amnesty to all the anglophone leaders of the crises. Without an amnesty, it will be impossible for anglophones to be properly represented by those they trust. The present crop of Ministers, Parliamentarians, Senators and Directors have lost the support of the average Anglophone populace that they cannot be trusted to represent their interest.
4. Solicit the services o a mediator.
They history of Cameroon is replete with deceit by the francophone led government for the past 57 years. At every turn and corner, government business is conducted in the most secretive manner. Lies telling and corruption are the other of the day. It is difficult therefore for anglophones to trust in the word of the francophone dominated government. One broken promise after another is the hallmark of our experience with the government. Two examples will suffice. When Southern Cameroons sought to join the Republic of Cameron in a referendum in 1961, the agreement was that Cameroon will be a federal state. In fact, the constitution of the Republic of Cameroon was amended by their national Assembly to provide for a federal
structure of governance. Section 47 of that Constitution provided that the form of the state will never be amended. Barely 11 years after, the Ahidjo government imposed a unitary state in Cameroon which has brought us to where we are today.
In 1990, after the
students strikes in the university of Yaounde, two new universities where created by a Prime ministerial decree. An Anglo-Saxon University in Buea and the University of Ngoundere for francophones. True to the Anglo-Saxon tradition, the statutes of the University of Buea were produced and the admission criteria set out. It provided that, admission into the University of Buea was conditioned on 5 Ordinary Level papers including English and two Advance Level papers in one sitting. This made the University of Buea an enviable institution. Today, and beginning from the 2018-2019 academic year, admission conditions have been watered down. Now a candidate can gain admission with 4 Ordinary Level papers and two Advance level papers in two or more sittings (selotape).
This is how the government breaks its promises every time and the people wallow in misery. It is therefore important that for any meaningful process to be sustainable, a mediator must be appointed by both sides. This will assure the Anglophones that the government is ready to resolve the crisis. It is our view that the above measures will rekindle confidence in the Anglophones and may lead them to trust the process.
We wish to assure your Excellency of our continues availability to contribute our own views towards getting us out of the present quack mire.
Accept Your Excellency, our most distinguished regards.
Benjamin ENOW AGBOR.
President Fako Lawyers Association.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Declaration of Cameroon's Ambassador at the UN Security Council to Discuss Humanitarian Challenges in the country
Réunion en formule Arria sur la situation humanitaire au Cameroun
Déclaration de S.E. TOMMO MONTHE
Ambassadeur, Représentant Permanent
****************************
New York, le 13 mai 2019
MISSION PERMANENTE DU CAMEROUN AUPRES DES NATIONS UNIES
PERMANENT MISSION OF CAMEROON TO THE UNITED NATIONS
22 East 73rd StreetNew York, N .Y. 10021
Tel : (646) 850-1827/1824Fax : (646) 850-1820
Web: www.delecam.us
E-mail: delecam@delecam.us
Je vous remercie Mme la présidente de m'avoir donné la parole.
D'entrée de jeu, je voudrais vous dire que la présente réunion sous formule Arria ne rencontre pas l'adhésion du Cameroun. Est-il encore besoin de rappeler que la même objection a déjà été fortement exprimée par de nombreux pays du Conseil, en particulier les pays africains, en raison de son caractère équivoque susceptible d'être malicieusement exploité par des esprits malveillants confondant à l'envie et pour leur cause cette formule avec les réunions officielles du Conseil.
J'illustre, Mme l'Ambassadeur, lorsque vous et moi nous sommes longuement vus, et que je vous ai exprimé cette exploitation malveillante, peut-être ne m'avez-vous pas crue. Depuis le début de cet Après-midi, dans les réseaux sociaux, il est dit que le Conseil de Sécurité a siégé, a adopté une résolution, et que les voix se sont établies comme suit: Pour le Cameroun, France, Côte d-ivoire, Belgique, Guinée Equatoriale; Neutre, Chine; Contre le Cameroun: Etats-Unis d'Amérique, Royaume Uni, Russie, Allemagne, Indonésie, Pérou, Koweït, Pologne, Afrique du Sud, République Dominicaine. Que ce faisant, le Cameroun a été battu. Voilà Mme l'Ambassadeur, les confusions pour lesquelles je vous avais fait l'amitié de vous dire toute ma précaution. Maintenant, voilà ce qui se dit sur les réseaux sociaux: que le Conseil a siégé!
En outre, le sujet même sous examen, à savoir la situation humanitaire au Cameroun a-t-on suffisamment répété, ne constitue en rien une menace à la paix et à la sécurité internationales.
Un tel sujet aurait été plus indiqué dans le Segment humanitaire du Conseil Économique et Social ou dans les débats sur les questions humanitaires à la troisième Commission de l'Assemblée Générale, voire lors d’une manifestation parallèle de Haut niveau au cours de l'Assemblée Générale.
D'aucuns ont avancé l'argument de prévention. Quelle prévention alors ! pourrait-on s'écrier et quelle serait la ligne de démarcation entre prévention et volonté d'intervention sous des prétextes humanitaires qui hantent certains esprits?
Sans doute, certains sont venus à cette rencontre avec l'encre approprié pour peindre le Cameroun tout en noir, pays d'enfer et de maux indicibles. Ils ont en cela ameuté les medias, les ONG et les "marcheurs" patentés de la 47eme rue pour spontanément amplifier leurs vues dans les medias et les réseaux sociaux. Certains d'entre ces déstabilisateurs ont d'ailleurs tout récemment publié un communiqué affirmant que tout participant à notre prochaine fête nationale sera placé sur leur liste noire et traité comme ennemi et que l'insurrection est le seul moyen actuel pour renverser les institutions du Cameroun et ceux qui les incarnent.
D'autres, peut-être sont venus munis de siphons pour siphonner toute l'eau de la bouteille et présenter le Cameroun comme une bouteille toujours vide, au plus à moitié vide.
D'autres, que sais-je encore, sont venus verser d'abondantes larmes sur la situation humanitaire, mais en réalité des larmes feintes, à peine voilées sur une situation dont ils n'ignorent, s'ils ne provoquent d'ailleurs pas les tenants et les aboutissants.
D'autres enfin, sont venus à la présente rencontre sans doute à la recherche de marchés pour leurs ONG en gonflant à souhait les chiffres des besoins humanitaires.
Quant à nous, et à nos partenaires réellement soucieux de la transparence, de la traçabilité, bref de l'efficacité de l'aide humanitaire, nous sommes venus dire que le Cameroun est debout, têtu comme la vérité, visant l'émergence en 2035, pays qui n'est pas au paradis, mais pas en enfer non plus, mais bien sur la terre des hommes cherchant patiemment et méthodiquement sa voie de développement endogène, en cette période charnière où les réalités et les survivances du XXème siècle s'imbriquent encore dans celles du XXIème siècle s'affirmant; dans un contexte où les rivalités de puissance, d'intérêt et d'idéologie vont crescendo dans diverses parties du monde; dans une Afrique qui se projette à l'horizon 2063 comme un continent prospère, libre, uni, paisible et acteur majeur dans les relations internationales.
C'est à la lumière de toutes ces considérations et de leçons tirées de l'expérience dans de nombreux pays que nous abordons la question sous examen qui requiert toute l'attention de notre Gouvernement. Le Cameroun est un pays ouvert qui a successivement reçu ces derniers temps le Haut-Commissaire des Nations Unies aux droits de l'homme, une délégation du Commonwealth, le Président de la Commission de l'Union Africaine. Une délégation de l'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie est attendue et le Parlement européen a été invité.
Un des distingués invités à savoir le représentant Spécial du Secrétaire Général pour l'Afrique Centrale n'a pas manqué de déclarer à la suite d'une de ses visites: "Nous sommes venus rencontrer le Premier Ministre, Chef du Gouvernement pour faire avec lui le point de la situation au Cameroun... M. le Premier Ministre nous a fait le point des efforts déployés pour la stabilisation des régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest... Nous partons d'ici avec l'assurance que le Gouvernement est à pied d'œuvre pour trouver des solutions idoines dans ces deux régions".
La devise du Cameroun est Paix-Travail-Patrie.
For many years, it has been hosting a large number of refugees and displaced persons on its soil, due to occasional, recurrent or persistent conflicts in neighboring countries.
Recently, the flow of displaced persons has increased as a result of the actions of war and destabilizing agents in three main fronts: the Boko Haram’s terrorism aimed at installing a Caliphate in the far North region, the secession animated by a group of separatists aiming to create in the North-West and South-West Regions a so-called "Federal Republic of Ambazonia" and the Subversion aiming at challenging, destabilizing and overthrowing the Institutions of the country as well as the people who embody them. Such a situation has increased the demand for humanitarian assistance. It has sometimes been equivocal about the number of refugees and displaced persons. It should be emphasized that the Government is working to register and control this flow and thus have in its possession figures different from those usually available.
POLITICAL WILL, COMMITMENT AND ACCOMPANYING MEASURES
The Government, concerned at the highest level, immediately mobilized itself and promptly set up, inter alia, an emergency humanitarian assistance Plan of 12. 716.500.000 CFA franc. (23.120.909 USD) It is worth mentioning that the spontaneous contributions of citizens, well-wishers as well as the State budget have made a substantial contribution to this plan, thus keeping momentum of national solidarity towards the affected populations.
One should recall that this Plan covers all the Regions impacted by the flows of refugees and IDP’s rather than polarizing on one or two Regions which seem to crystalize the interest of certain actor.
IMPLEMENTATION AND RESULT OF EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE PLAN
To date, this plan, which targets early humanitarian responses and the resilience of the affected communities, is being actively implemented. In cooperation with the Coordinator of the United Nations country team in the field, the Minister of territorial administration has recently formulated a platform for joint action for maximum efficiency, enhanced transparency, tracking and security of humanitarian aid in the country.
The various teams formed for this purpose under the coordination of the Minister of territorial administration and in the framework of the civil protection have made several field visits under the protection of the army in all the regions concerned, in particular 34 subdivisions in the North-west and 31 in the South-west. 150,000 families of internally displaced persons have been duly identified and 75000 have already received assistance thus:
- necessities: about 75 000 families as mentioned above have benefited from mattresses and blankets, foodstuffs and toiletries;
- agricultural material: fertilizers, hoes, shovels, machetes, etc.;
- reconstruction of houses: construction material consisting of cement, timber, sheets steel, nails, etc.;
- educational: school materials have been made available to families at the beginning of school year; and, in order to ensure the continuity of schooling for displaced children, measures have been taken such registration without birth certificates, exemption of school fees...
In this realm, an operation targeting 1 400 families is underway in Kumba and Mamfé in the South-west Region as well as in Santa, Nkambe, Misaje and Widikum in the North-west Region.
To cover the needs of internally displaced persons, large stocks of mattresses, blankets and foodstuffs are stored in several warehouses in Douala, Yaoundé, Bamenda and Zamengoue.
WAY FORWARD AND PARTNERSHIPS
The active continuation of the implementation of this emergency plan requires an appropriate solution to some of the difficulties encountered and additional support from various partners.
In the number of difficulties in tackling the humanitarian situation one can underline:
-The collection of accurate data on the ground
In fact, the administrative and traditional authorities are facing difficulties in the field of humanitarian assistance, particularly in the identification of internally displaced persons, because they are concealed in the community or are sometimes reluctant to register with the administrative authorities for fear of terrorists.
-Problems relating to operational resources
Additional resources are needed to enable civil protection management teams cover in a frequent and satisfactory manner all the areas where the displaced are located such as the subdivisions aforementioned.
Furthermore, the budgetary estimates that have supported the Emergency Plan must constantly be adjusted and updated in the light of variability prices of the various products needed for assistance to internally displaced persons in a context of economic and financial security hazards.
Cameroon seizes this opportunity to thank all partners who have already contributed to the Government Emergency plan and calls for increased support from bilateral and multilateral sources.
Above all, and to tackle the root causes of the problem, Cameroon needs more assistance and support in order to identify and block the sources of financing for terrorism, secessionism, subversion and insurgency on the other hand, and speed up the eradication of poverty and the creation of well-being for all, on the other.
The Government of Cameroon is fully aware of the causes of this situation and reiterates the commitment and measures taken by President Paul Biya, as well as those recently adopted by Parliament to strengthen dialogue, accelerate the process of decentralization and empower regions in a country where peace, stability, unity, territorial integrity in a confessional, linguistic, ethnic, cultural diversity and living together are constantly nurtured and strengthened.
Cameroon leads a methodical fight against terrorism, secessionism, subversion, insurgency, in strict compliance with the texts, instruments, commitments and laws governing human rights.
J'ai deux explications à certaines questions qui ont été soulevées:
- Accès des humanitaires aux populations déplacées ou aux réfugiés:
Le Cameroun est ouvert en cela. Il veut simplement que les équipes qui se déplacent soient tout à fait encadrées, de peur que celles-ci ne tombent elles-mêmes entre les mai,s des terroristes et que de ce fait la Communauté Internationale ne nous reproche de ne les avoir pas protégés. Et je vous ai dit que tout récemment, une plateforme de traçabilité et de contrôle a été établie entre le Gouvernement et les Nations Unies.
- Sur la question des violences:
J'ai entendu dans tous les exposés tout à l'heure les orateurs parler de violences, certains allant jusqu'à incriminer le Gouvernement. Je donne à un de mes collaborateurs ce document afin qu'il vous le remette, Mme l'Ambassadeur, vous y verrez les violences perpétrées par Boko Haram et des sécessionnistes.
Egalement, je voudrais dire, au sujet de cette réunion, que le thème mentionné à l'entrée de cette salle est "Arria formula meeting: The humanitarian situation ni Cameroon". Nous avons parlé de crise, tout a été centré uniquement sur le Nord et le Sud Ouest Cameroun; J'ai entendu de manière furtive à peine quelques allusions à d'autres Régions. Ce qui laisse comprendre que le sujet annoncé n'a pas été abordé comme tel, et on comprend donc qu'on est venu chercher des poux sur la tête et des chiques sur les pieds du Cameroun, ce qui n'est pas tout à fait approprié.
Je voudrais conclure en disant aussi que nous avons une administration debout! Et je suis tout à fait encourager par ceux qui ont dit qu'il vaut mieux approcher le Cameroun, demander à son Gouvernement qu'est-ce qui a été fait, qu'est-ce qu'il y a encore lieu de faire? Je vous ai indiqué tout à l'heure, dans la mise en oeuvre du Plan d'Assistance Humanitaire d'Urgence, ce par quoi nous voulons être aidés. Nous ne voulons pas des gens qui travaillent pour le Cameroun, mais nous voulons des gens qui travaillent AVEC le Cameroun. C'est très différent! Nous sommes là, ne nous sommes pas par terre, et nous souhaitons que les gens de bonne volonté travaillent avec nous pour mettre fin à cette situation.
J'ai entendu aussi des cris de désespoir, qu'il y a non-fréquentation, que le dialogue est rompu. A ce sujet, j'invite les membres du Conseil à regarder la visite, la semaine dernière, du Premier Ministre sur le terrain: l'enthousiasme de la population est éloquent. A Bamenda, le Premier Ministre a dîné chez Monsieur Ni John Fru Ndi, figure de l'opposition camerounaise bien connue, qui lui a offert un repas fort copieux. Donc, nous dialoguons. Et le Premier Ministre y a annoncé que les Centre de Désarmement, Démobilisation et réinsertion qui ont déjà été ouverts, leurs pensionnaires seront bientôt reçus par le Président de la République. Il a précisé qu'en plus de ceux qui sont dans ces Centres, il y a plusieurs autres anciens terroristes qui ont abandonné la sécession une fois qu'ils ont pris conscience d'avoir été trompés, et ont regagné des familles situées hors des zones sensibles, dans d'autres villes du territoire. Il y en a donc de plus en plus qui se rallient car reviennent à la raison. Je voudrais que le Conseil ait un oeil attentif sur ce genre de situation. Nous dialoguons, à tous les niveaux, et le Premier Ministre l'a encore prouvé dans le Nord Ouest, en dialoguant tous azimuts.
J'en ai terminé Mme l'Ambassadeur, je vous remercie de m'avoir donné la parole. J'ai été tout aussi passionné comme d'habitude, parce qu'il s'agit de mon pays, et parce que nous le connaissions mieux que quiconque. Ce matin, le Ministre des Relations Extérieures a publié un communiqué que je vous ai envoyé à vous tous, pour montrer que le Cameroun est gouverné. Nous faisons face à la sécession, nous faisons face au terrorisme, nous faisons face à l'insurrection, et nous y feront toujours face debout. Nous sommes des Hommes, dont les pieds reprennent vigueur en frappant le sol dur!
Je vous remercie./-
Déclaration de S.E. TOMMO MONTHE
Ambassadeur, Représentant Permanent
****************************
New York, le 13 mai 2019
MISSION PERMANENTE DU CAMEROUN AUPRES DES NATIONS UNIES
PERMANENT MISSION OF CAMEROON TO THE UNITED NATIONS
22 East 73rd StreetNew York, N .Y. 10021
Tel : (646) 850-1827/1824Fax : (646) 850-1820
Web: www.delecam.us
E-mail: delecam@delecam.us
Je vous remercie Mme la présidente de m'avoir donné la parole.
D'entrée de jeu, je voudrais vous dire que la présente réunion sous formule Arria ne rencontre pas l'adhésion du Cameroun. Est-il encore besoin de rappeler que la même objection a déjà été fortement exprimée par de nombreux pays du Conseil, en particulier les pays africains, en raison de son caractère équivoque susceptible d'être malicieusement exploité par des esprits malveillants confondant à l'envie et pour leur cause cette formule avec les réunions officielles du Conseil.
J'illustre, Mme l'Ambassadeur, lorsque vous et moi nous sommes longuement vus, et que je vous ai exprimé cette exploitation malveillante, peut-être ne m'avez-vous pas crue. Depuis le début de cet Après-midi, dans les réseaux sociaux, il est dit que le Conseil de Sécurité a siégé, a adopté une résolution, et que les voix se sont établies comme suit: Pour le Cameroun, France, Côte d-ivoire, Belgique, Guinée Equatoriale; Neutre, Chine; Contre le Cameroun: Etats-Unis d'Amérique, Royaume Uni, Russie, Allemagne, Indonésie, Pérou, Koweït, Pologne, Afrique du Sud, République Dominicaine. Que ce faisant, le Cameroun a été battu. Voilà Mme l'Ambassadeur, les confusions pour lesquelles je vous avais fait l'amitié de vous dire toute ma précaution. Maintenant, voilà ce qui se dit sur les réseaux sociaux: que le Conseil a siégé!
En outre, le sujet même sous examen, à savoir la situation humanitaire au Cameroun a-t-on suffisamment répété, ne constitue en rien une menace à la paix et à la sécurité internationales.
Un tel sujet aurait été plus indiqué dans le Segment humanitaire du Conseil Économique et Social ou dans les débats sur les questions humanitaires à la troisième Commission de l'Assemblée Générale, voire lors d’une manifestation parallèle de Haut niveau au cours de l'Assemblée Générale.
D'aucuns ont avancé l'argument de prévention. Quelle prévention alors ! pourrait-on s'écrier et quelle serait la ligne de démarcation entre prévention et volonté d'intervention sous des prétextes humanitaires qui hantent certains esprits?
Sans doute, certains sont venus à cette rencontre avec l'encre approprié pour peindre le Cameroun tout en noir, pays d'enfer et de maux indicibles. Ils ont en cela ameuté les medias, les ONG et les "marcheurs" patentés de la 47eme rue pour spontanément amplifier leurs vues dans les medias et les réseaux sociaux. Certains d'entre ces déstabilisateurs ont d'ailleurs tout récemment publié un communiqué affirmant que tout participant à notre prochaine fête nationale sera placé sur leur liste noire et traité comme ennemi et que l'insurrection est le seul moyen actuel pour renverser les institutions du Cameroun et ceux qui les incarnent.
D'autres, peut-être sont venus munis de siphons pour siphonner toute l'eau de la bouteille et présenter le Cameroun comme une bouteille toujours vide, au plus à moitié vide.
D'autres, que sais-je encore, sont venus verser d'abondantes larmes sur la situation humanitaire, mais en réalité des larmes feintes, à peine voilées sur une situation dont ils n'ignorent, s'ils ne provoquent d'ailleurs pas les tenants et les aboutissants.
D'autres enfin, sont venus à la présente rencontre sans doute à la recherche de marchés pour leurs ONG en gonflant à souhait les chiffres des besoins humanitaires.
Quant à nous, et à nos partenaires réellement soucieux de la transparence, de la traçabilité, bref de l'efficacité de l'aide humanitaire, nous sommes venus dire que le Cameroun est debout, têtu comme la vérité, visant l'émergence en 2035, pays qui n'est pas au paradis, mais pas en enfer non plus, mais bien sur la terre des hommes cherchant patiemment et méthodiquement sa voie de développement endogène, en cette période charnière où les réalités et les survivances du XXème siècle s'imbriquent encore dans celles du XXIème siècle s'affirmant; dans un contexte où les rivalités de puissance, d'intérêt et d'idéologie vont crescendo dans diverses parties du monde; dans une Afrique qui se projette à l'horizon 2063 comme un continent prospère, libre, uni, paisible et acteur majeur dans les relations internationales.
C'est à la lumière de toutes ces considérations et de leçons tirées de l'expérience dans de nombreux pays que nous abordons la question sous examen qui requiert toute l'attention de notre Gouvernement. Le Cameroun est un pays ouvert qui a successivement reçu ces derniers temps le Haut-Commissaire des Nations Unies aux droits de l'homme, une délégation du Commonwealth, le Président de la Commission de l'Union Africaine. Une délégation de l'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie est attendue et le Parlement européen a été invité.
Un des distingués invités à savoir le représentant Spécial du Secrétaire Général pour l'Afrique Centrale n'a pas manqué de déclarer à la suite d'une de ses visites: "Nous sommes venus rencontrer le Premier Ministre, Chef du Gouvernement pour faire avec lui le point de la situation au Cameroun... M. le Premier Ministre nous a fait le point des efforts déployés pour la stabilisation des régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest... Nous partons d'ici avec l'assurance que le Gouvernement est à pied d'œuvre pour trouver des solutions idoines dans ces deux régions".
La devise du Cameroun est Paix-Travail-Patrie.
For many years, it has been hosting a large number of refugees and displaced persons on its soil, due to occasional, recurrent or persistent conflicts in neighboring countries.
Recently, the flow of displaced persons has increased as a result of the actions of war and destabilizing agents in three main fronts: the Boko Haram’s terrorism aimed at installing a Caliphate in the far North region, the secession animated by a group of separatists aiming to create in the North-West and South-West Regions a so-called "Federal Republic of Ambazonia" and the Subversion aiming at challenging, destabilizing and overthrowing the Institutions of the country as well as the people who embody them. Such a situation has increased the demand for humanitarian assistance. It has sometimes been equivocal about the number of refugees and displaced persons. It should be emphasized that the Government is working to register and control this flow and thus have in its possession figures different from those usually available.
POLITICAL WILL, COMMITMENT AND ACCOMPANYING MEASURES
The Government, concerned at the highest level, immediately mobilized itself and promptly set up, inter alia, an emergency humanitarian assistance Plan of 12. 716.500.000 CFA franc. (23.120.909 USD) It is worth mentioning that the spontaneous contributions of citizens, well-wishers as well as the State budget have made a substantial contribution to this plan, thus keeping momentum of national solidarity towards the affected populations.
One should recall that this Plan covers all the Regions impacted by the flows of refugees and IDP’s rather than polarizing on one or two Regions which seem to crystalize the interest of certain actor.
IMPLEMENTATION AND RESULT OF EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE PLAN
To date, this plan, which targets early humanitarian responses and the resilience of the affected communities, is being actively implemented. In cooperation with the Coordinator of the United Nations country team in the field, the Minister of territorial administration has recently formulated a platform for joint action for maximum efficiency, enhanced transparency, tracking and security of humanitarian aid in the country.
The various teams formed for this purpose under the coordination of the Minister of territorial administration and in the framework of the civil protection have made several field visits under the protection of the army in all the regions concerned, in particular 34 subdivisions in the North-west and 31 in the South-west. 150,000 families of internally displaced persons have been duly identified and 75000 have already received assistance thus:
- necessities: about 75 000 families as mentioned above have benefited from mattresses and blankets, foodstuffs and toiletries;
- agricultural material: fertilizers, hoes, shovels, machetes, etc.;
- reconstruction of houses: construction material consisting of cement, timber, sheets steel, nails, etc.;
- educational: school materials have been made available to families at the beginning of school year; and, in order to ensure the continuity of schooling for displaced children, measures have been taken such registration without birth certificates, exemption of school fees...
In this realm, an operation targeting 1 400 families is underway in Kumba and Mamfé in the South-west Region as well as in Santa, Nkambe, Misaje and Widikum in the North-west Region.
To cover the needs of internally displaced persons, large stocks of mattresses, blankets and foodstuffs are stored in several warehouses in Douala, Yaoundé, Bamenda and Zamengoue.
WAY FORWARD AND PARTNERSHIPS
The active continuation of the implementation of this emergency plan requires an appropriate solution to some of the difficulties encountered and additional support from various partners.
In the number of difficulties in tackling the humanitarian situation one can underline:
-The collection of accurate data on the ground
In fact, the administrative and traditional authorities are facing difficulties in the field of humanitarian assistance, particularly in the identification of internally displaced persons, because they are concealed in the community or are sometimes reluctant to register with the administrative authorities for fear of terrorists.
-Problems relating to operational resources
Additional resources are needed to enable civil protection management teams cover in a frequent and satisfactory manner all the areas where the displaced are located such as the subdivisions aforementioned.
Furthermore, the budgetary estimates that have supported the Emergency Plan must constantly be adjusted and updated in the light of variability prices of the various products needed for assistance to internally displaced persons in a context of economic and financial security hazards.
Cameroon seizes this opportunity to thank all partners who have already contributed to the Government Emergency plan and calls for increased support from bilateral and multilateral sources.
Above all, and to tackle the root causes of the problem, Cameroon needs more assistance and support in order to identify and block the sources of financing for terrorism, secessionism, subversion and insurgency on the other hand, and speed up the eradication of poverty and the creation of well-being for all, on the other.
The Government of Cameroon is fully aware of the causes of this situation and reiterates the commitment and measures taken by President Paul Biya, as well as those recently adopted by Parliament to strengthen dialogue, accelerate the process of decentralization and empower regions in a country where peace, stability, unity, territorial integrity in a confessional, linguistic, ethnic, cultural diversity and living together are constantly nurtured and strengthened.
Cameroon leads a methodical fight against terrorism, secessionism, subversion, insurgency, in strict compliance with the texts, instruments, commitments and laws governing human rights.
J'ai deux explications à certaines questions qui ont été soulevées:
- Accès des humanitaires aux populations déplacées ou aux réfugiés:
Le Cameroun est ouvert en cela. Il veut simplement que les équipes qui se déplacent soient tout à fait encadrées, de peur que celles-ci ne tombent elles-mêmes entre les mai,s des terroristes et que de ce fait la Communauté Internationale ne nous reproche de ne les avoir pas protégés. Et je vous ai dit que tout récemment, une plateforme de traçabilité et de contrôle a été établie entre le Gouvernement et les Nations Unies.
- Sur la question des violences:
J'ai entendu dans tous les exposés tout à l'heure les orateurs parler de violences, certains allant jusqu'à incriminer le Gouvernement. Je donne à un de mes collaborateurs ce document afin qu'il vous le remette, Mme l'Ambassadeur, vous y verrez les violences perpétrées par Boko Haram et des sécessionnistes.
Egalement, je voudrais dire, au sujet de cette réunion, que le thème mentionné à l'entrée de cette salle est "Arria formula meeting: The humanitarian situation ni Cameroon". Nous avons parlé de crise, tout a été centré uniquement sur le Nord et le Sud Ouest Cameroun; J'ai entendu de manière furtive à peine quelques allusions à d'autres Régions. Ce qui laisse comprendre que le sujet annoncé n'a pas été abordé comme tel, et on comprend donc qu'on est venu chercher des poux sur la tête et des chiques sur les pieds du Cameroun, ce qui n'est pas tout à fait approprié.
Je voudrais conclure en disant aussi que nous avons une administration debout! Et je suis tout à fait encourager par ceux qui ont dit qu'il vaut mieux approcher le Cameroun, demander à son Gouvernement qu'est-ce qui a été fait, qu'est-ce qu'il y a encore lieu de faire? Je vous ai indiqué tout à l'heure, dans la mise en oeuvre du Plan d'Assistance Humanitaire d'Urgence, ce par quoi nous voulons être aidés. Nous ne voulons pas des gens qui travaillent pour le Cameroun, mais nous voulons des gens qui travaillent AVEC le Cameroun. C'est très différent! Nous sommes là, ne nous sommes pas par terre, et nous souhaitons que les gens de bonne volonté travaillent avec nous pour mettre fin à cette situation.
J'ai entendu aussi des cris de désespoir, qu'il y a non-fréquentation, que le dialogue est rompu. A ce sujet, j'invite les membres du Conseil à regarder la visite, la semaine dernière, du Premier Ministre sur le terrain: l'enthousiasme de la population est éloquent. A Bamenda, le Premier Ministre a dîné chez Monsieur Ni John Fru Ndi, figure de l'opposition camerounaise bien connue, qui lui a offert un repas fort copieux. Donc, nous dialoguons. Et le Premier Ministre y a annoncé que les Centre de Désarmement, Démobilisation et réinsertion qui ont déjà été ouverts, leurs pensionnaires seront bientôt reçus par le Président de la République. Il a précisé qu'en plus de ceux qui sont dans ces Centres, il y a plusieurs autres anciens terroristes qui ont abandonné la sécession une fois qu'ils ont pris conscience d'avoir été trompés, et ont regagné des familles situées hors des zones sensibles, dans d'autres villes du territoire. Il y en a donc de plus en plus qui se rallient car reviennent à la raison. Je voudrais que le Conseil ait un oeil attentif sur ce genre de situation. Nous dialoguons, à tous les niveaux, et le Premier Ministre l'a encore prouvé dans le Nord Ouest, en dialoguant tous azimuts.
J'en ai terminé Mme l'Ambassadeur, je vous remercie de m'avoir donné la parole. J'ai été tout aussi passionné comme d'habitude, parce qu'il s'agit de mon pays, et parce que nous le connaissions mieux que quiconque. Ce matin, le Ministre des Relations Extérieures a publié un communiqué que je vous ai envoyé à vous tous, pour montrer que le Cameroun est gouverné. Nous faisons face à la sécession, nous faisons face au terrorisme, nous faisons face à l'insurrection, et nous y feront toujours face debout. Nous sommes des Hommes, dont les pieds reprennent vigueur en frappant le sol dur!
Je vous remercie./-
Monday, May 13, 2019
Secession VS Federalism; Ambazonians questions Federalists (Fru Ndi, Kah Wallah & Akere Muna)
Forwarded as recieved.
Questions to Fru Ndi, Kah Wallah ,Akere Muna and all "Anglophones Federalists and unionists".
1. What will Ambazonia lose if they get out of lrc.
2. What will Ambazonia gain this time which was impossible to gain for the passed 57 yrs.
3. Name just two things Anglophones have gained without striking,asking for, without losing lives.
4. What makes you think any federation cannot be changed or wiped like before?
5. Was it a mistake for UN representative to have offered Paul Biya two maps in 2010 on the occasion of 50th anniversary (west and French Cameroons).
6. Why must we beg to coexist with those who call us dogs.
7. When was the last time you sympathized with innocent children old, women killed by lrc and thousands in exile.
8. Do you promise not to accept any appointments after the elections.
9. Do you accept that Former British southern Cameroons has well defined internationally recognized boundaries, people,culture.
10. Do you believe and accept that lrc territorial integrity are its boundaries at independence on 1st January 1960.
11. Which is excusable burning of a piece of cloth called flag, burning down villages, burning down sources of income for the poor, burning of the elderly in their homes .
12. Are anglophones entitled to a referendum to decide on what path to follow or not.
13. Are you willing to ask lrc to present a treaty of Union and even if one exist why can't one opt out of a failed marriage for the laws that unite people can still separate for peace to reign.
14. What do you know concerning former British southern Cameroons from 1953 to 1961.
15. Is self determination a human right or not and if yes why can it be applied on anglophones
16. Do you believe in civil rights and civil liberties.
16. Do you accept Former British Southern Cameroons declaration of the restoration of their independence and adoption of new name or you deny it because you were not part of it. And if democracy is the will of the majority why then question the will of that majority?.
Thanks UN.
Questions to Fru Ndi, Kah Wallah ,Akere Muna and all "Anglophones Federalists and unionists".
1. What will Ambazonia lose if they get out of lrc.
2. What will Ambazonia gain this time which was impossible to gain for the passed 57 yrs.
3. Name just two things Anglophones have gained without striking,asking for, without losing lives.
4. What makes you think any federation cannot be changed or wiped like before?
5. Was it a mistake for UN representative to have offered Paul Biya two maps in 2010 on the occasion of 50th anniversary (west and French Cameroons).
6. Why must we beg to coexist with those who call us dogs.
7. When was the last time you sympathized with innocent children old, women killed by lrc and thousands in exile.
8. Do you promise not to accept any appointments after the elections.
9. Do you accept that Former British southern Cameroons has well defined internationally recognized boundaries, people,culture.
10. Do you believe and accept that lrc territorial integrity are its boundaries at independence on 1st January 1960.
11. Which is excusable burning of a piece of cloth called flag, burning down villages, burning down sources of income for the poor, burning of the elderly in their homes .
12. Are anglophones entitled to a referendum to decide on what path to follow or not.
13. Are you willing to ask lrc to present a treaty of Union and even if one exist why can't one opt out of a failed marriage for the laws that unite people can still separate for peace to reign.
14. What do you know concerning former British southern Cameroons from 1953 to 1961.
15. Is self determination a human right or not and if yes why can it be applied on anglophones
16. Do you believe in civil rights and civil liberties.
16. Do you accept Former British Southern Cameroons declaration of the restoration of their independence and adoption of new name or you deny it because you were not part of it. And if democracy is the will of the majority why then question the will of that majority?.
Thanks UN.
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Another Heavy Scandal at the PCC
The illegality at helm of the PCC continues......!
I woke up this morning with so many questions about the recent document signed by the moderator of the PCC on behalf of the Board of Trustees. Not only do I find it ILLEGAL but I find it a SCANDAL with such instructions attached to it for widest publicity by Secretaries and Treasurers for the consumption of pastors in the field! My first worry is that which constitution is the moderator using which gives him the powers to sign up resolutions of the Board of Trustees meeting? Besides was there ever a constituted Board of Trustees meeting which held recently? If there was any such meeting then why did the constituted members not all signed up the resolutions and their seal put on it as stipulated in the most contested version of "his own constitution"? It's now a public secret that three constituted Board of Trustees members residence in Douala were never in attendance at the illegal meeting of Buea! To add wound to the injury we are told the three (moderator, F/S and mola Kinge) in the buea meeting obtained proxy of one member based in yaounde and of another one who for over a year now has been in the USA (moderator Emeritus Rt Rev Dr Asana). Still non of the version of the constitution wound allow for a proxy for absent members. All the versions of the constitution insists on members to be present in order to participate in any such meeting! Thus I see the claims of two of the Board of Trustees members attending the buea meeting by proxy as a Scam on the pastors and the entire PCC. Was there any reason to exclude the three members based in douala? Why should the moderator of all officer of the synod act with such shrewdness and illegality? What for Heaven's sake is the motive for such illegal document to be forced down the throat of PCC pastors and Christians? May I end up by reinforcing my worries with this lesson from one of my East African mentors: what seems to have been logical by the moderator's illegal signed up document is not practical; And what seems to be practical by it is not right; And what seems to be right with it is not ethical; And what seems to be ethical with it is not desired; And what seems to be desired by it is not only illogical but Illegal!
My Submission.
The Village Pastor,
Anye-Mo-Anye Mandzong.
Monday, May 6, 2019
Bachelot welcomes Cameroons' willingness to cooperate to tackle human right crisis in the English speaking regions of cameroon
From the real United Nations, not the fictitious ones that have reported to you by fake ambazonia sources and warmongers
"Bachelet welcomes Cameroon’s willingness to cooperate to tackle human rights crises
GENEVA (6 May 2019) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, after concluding a visit to Cameroon, has welcomed the Government’s openness to work with the UN Human Rights Office, and the rest of the UN, to seek effective solutions to the major human rights and humanitarian crises caused by the serious unrest and violence taking place in the west and north of the country.
“I believe there is a clear – if possibly short – window of opportunity to arrest the crises that have led to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people, as well as the killings and brutal human rights violations and abuses that have affected the northern and western areas of the country,” Bachelet said. “But it will not be easy to turn these situations around. It will take significant actions on the part of the Government, and substantial and sustained support from the international community – including us in the UN.”
“The challenges are immense, and the situation involving some ten or more separatist movements in the North-West and South-West regions risks spiraling completely out of control, if serious measures are not taken to reduce tensions and restore trust. There is also a general understanding that the root causes and underlying grievances must also be tackled if long-term stability is to return to a country that had, until just a few years ago, been one of the most settled and peaceful in the region.”
The UN Human Rights Chief noted that the Government is also facing other major challenges, including cross-border incursions by armed groups and criminal organizations along its eastern border with the Central African Republic. At the same time, in the north of the country, the armed forces are struggling to cope with the depredations and suicide attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram and, in the far north around Lake Chad, the population is being terrorized and attacked by another extremist organization, the so-called Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA). In addition, Cameroon is hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Central African Republic and Nigeria.
In several regions, civilians and soldiers have been killed and mutilated, and entire villages have been burned. Children have been abducted and forced to join the armed groups, and have even been utilized as unwitting suicide bombers by Boko Haram. In the two western regions, schools, hospitals and other key infrastructure has been targeted and destroyed by the various separatist groups; and government employees, including teachers who have dared to continue teaching, have been targeted and killed or abducted.
The security forces have also been accused of committing serious violations, including extra-judicial killings and torture, against civilians and captured fighters in both the north and the west.
During three days of meetings and consultations in the capital, Yaoundé, the High Commissioner had an in-depth discussion with President Paul Biya on the human rights challenges facing the country, and initiatives the Government has taken to deal with them, as well as their broader linkages with peace, security and development. She also met with the Prime Minister and the Minister of External Relations; the Minister of Defence, alongside top army and police officials; the Minister of Territorial Administration (Interior), the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Women, Empowerment and Family, and the Minister of Secondary Education.
The UN Human Rights Chief thanked the President for inviting her, and expressed appreciation to him and the members of his Government, as well as her other interlocutors, including civil society organizations and media, the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms, the President of the National Assembly and Vice-President of the Senate, opposition and ruling party politicians and seven senior leaders of various religious communities, as well as the diplomatic corps.
She also noted with appreciation the briefings she received from the leaders of two new bodies set up by the President to tackle specific issues related to the problems in the west and the north, namely the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, and the National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee.
“The work of these two bodies is still in its early stages,” Bachelet said. “But I believe they can potentially make important contributions over time to better understand and deal with the crisis in the two western regions, and to encourage increasing numbers of fighters to lay down their arms and reintegrate into society in both the north and the west. Nevertheless, one should not underestimate the daunting challenges both bodies are facing, and I offered to share advice and important lessons we have learned from similar efforts in other parts of the world.”
Bachelet also offered to provide advice and assistance to the Government – similar to that being provided to the G5 forces in the Sahel – to help ensure that military operations are in compliance with international human rights standards and violations are prevented, when military forces are engaged in counter-terrorism operations and combat against armed groups.
“As a former Minister of Defence myself, I recognize the difficulties and dilemmas faced by soldiers confronted with extremely violent armed groups moving in and out of civilian areas, committing atrocities as they go,” the UN Human Rights Chief said. “Nevertheless, every violation committed by Government forces is not only unlawful, but also counter-productive as it plays into the hands of the extremist groups, by feeding local resentment and aiding recruitment. The armed forces must win and keep the trust of local populations, and to do that they must keep scrupulously within the framework of international law and standards. If they fail to do that, they will not defeat an enemy that thrives on civilian mistrust of the authorities. In the meantime, the civilians trapped between these two powerful, if asymmetric, opposing forces, are increasingly vulnerable to lethal abuses and violations by both sides.”
The High Commissioner stressed that it is essential that members of the security forces who commit serious violations are held accountable.
“The Government briefed me on steps they have taken in response to allegations of violations,” Bachelet said. “And I urged them to be fully transparent about such cases. It is essential that crimes are punished, and are seen to be punished. If there is impunity, then there is an assumption of immunity – and this will lead to more crimes being committed, and a further decline in trust in the armed forces, which will only compound the challenges they face. The maintenance of morale is important, but deterring unlawful actions by members of the security forces is imperative. This particular issue is damaging Cameroon’s international standing, and undermining international support for efforts to combat the armed groups operating on its territory.”
The High Commissioner said she utterly condemned the targeting of civilians by all armed groups, as well as the torching of schools and medical facilities by the separatist groups in the North-West and South-West regions. “There is no logic to their behavior,” she said. “If they are arguing for more autonomy, why seek to deprive their own children of education, why kill the teachers, and destroy the health facilities? This is not idealistic, it is nihilistic. The only way to solve the issues in the two western regions is through dialogue, including in-depth analysis of the root causes of the unrest, and I urge all sides including the Government to make a strenuous effort to end the fighting and begin peace talks.”
Bachelet also raised the issue of lack of access for both international and national human rights workers – including the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms – and the humanitarian agencies, to the affected regions. “I’ve heard this from so many people,” she said. “The lack of access is feeding international and local mistrust: including mistrust of the casualty figures; suspicions and competing narratives about who is responsible for which violations and abuses; and reluctance to give full support to the Government’s efforts to deal with these crises, for fear that the lack of access and lack of clarity is masking something untoward. Limited access is also hampering the efforts of the humanitarian agencies to reach victims, and this in turn may fuel further population movements. So, as much access as possible – within the limits of what is safe – would be an important positive step forward in terms of building confidence, and I appreciate the attention the Government has given to this particular request.”
She also expressed concern to the Government over the shrinking of civic space in Cameroon, noting that some of the civil society organizations, religious leaders, opposition politicians and diplomats she met with described how certain rights and freedoms, especially those of peaceful association and assembly, had been eroded in recent months. Human rights defenders described how they have been facing harassment by the police, and many of the High Commissioner’s interlocutors raised the issue of the arrest of leading opposition politician Maurice Kamto and more than 150 of his supporters.
“I raised all these matters with the Government,” the High Commissioner said. “And I urged them to halt the practice of charging civilians before military courts. I believe there is an urgent need for a change of approach towards dissenting politicians and critical members of civil society, and a need for significant gestures to rebuild trust and confidence.”
“Everyone – Government, opposition, civil society – is in agreement that the country is facing the most serious set of crises it has seen for many years. Everyone wants to bring these crises to an end as soon as possible. The Government, civil society, political opposition, religious leaders and the international community can all make important contributions to a drive for peace, if they can discuss options openly and freely.”
While noting it was just a first step, Bachelet said she believed the welcome she received and the willingness to cooperate shown by the Government during her visit could help clear a path to effective joint action to help Cameroon come through this very difficult period.
“I, for my part, pledge my Office, including the staff serving in our regional office in Cameroon, will do all we can to help the Government find workable solutions, so that – with additional involvement of other parts of the United Nations and support from other Governments – we can work together to contribute to the restoration of peace and security, protect human rights and clear the space for effective development for people all across Cameroon. The stakes are high, not just for Cameroon itself, but for the whole region.”
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact: Rupert Colville - + 41 22 917 9767 / rcolville@ohchr.orgor Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org or Marta Hurtado - + 41 22 917 9466 / mhurtado@ohchr.org
"Bachelet welcomes Cameroon’s willingness to cooperate to tackle human rights crises
GENEVA (6 May 2019) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, after concluding a visit to Cameroon, has welcomed the Government’s openness to work with the UN Human Rights Office, and the rest of the UN, to seek effective solutions to the major human rights and humanitarian crises caused by the serious unrest and violence taking place in the west and north of the country.
“I believe there is a clear – if possibly short – window of opportunity to arrest the crises that have led to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people, as well as the killings and brutal human rights violations and abuses that have affected the northern and western areas of the country,” Bachelet said. “But it will not be easy to turn these situations around. It will take significant actions on the part of the Government, and substantial and sustained support from the international community – including us in the UN.”
“The challenges are immense, and the situation involving some ten or more separatist movements in the North-West and South-West regions risks spiraling completely out of control, if serious measures are not taken to reduce tensions and restore trust. There is also a general understanding that the root causes and underlying grievances must also be tackled if long-term stability is to return to a country that had, until just a few years ago, been one of the most settled and peaceful in the region.”
The UN Human Rights Chief noted that the Government is also facing other major challenges, including cross-border incursions by armed groups and criminal organizations along its eastern border with the Central African Republic. At the same time, in the north of the country, the armed forces are struggling to cope with the depredations and suicide attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram and, in the far north around Lake Chad, the population is being terrorized and attacked by another extremist organization, the so-called Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA). In addition, Cameroon is hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Central African Republic and Nigeria.
In several regions, civilians and soldiers have been killed and mutilated, and entire villages have been burned. Children have been abducted and forced to join the armed groups, and have even been utilized as unwitting suicide bombers by Boko Haram. In the two western regions, schools, hospitals and other key infrastructure has been targeted and destroyed by the various separatist groups; and government employees, including teachers who have dared to continue teaching, have been targeted and killed or abducted.
The security forces have also been accused of committing serious violations, including extra-judicial killings and torture, against civilians and captured fighters in both the north and the west.
During three days of meetings and consultations in the capital, Yaoundé, the High Commissioner had an in-depth discussion with President Paul Biya on the human rights challenges facing the country, and initiatives the Government has taken to deal with them, as well as their broader linkages with peace, security and development. She also met with the Prime Minister and the Minister of External Relations; the Minister of Defence, alongside top army and police officials; the Minister of Territorial Administration (Interior), the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Women, Empowerment and Family, and the Minister of Secondary Education.
The UN Human Rights Chief thanked the President for inviting her, and expressed appreciation to him and the members of his Government, as well as her other interlocutors, including civil society organizations and media, the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms, the President of the National Assembly and Vice-President of the Senate, opposition and ruling party politicians and seven senior leaders of various religious communities, as well as the diplomatic corps.
She also noted with appreciation the briefings she received from the leaders of two new bodies set up by the President to tackle specific issues related to the problems in the west and the north, namely the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, and the National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee.
“The work of these two bodies is still in its early stages,” Bachelet said. “But I believe they can potentially make important contributions over time to better understand and deal with the crisis in the two western regions, and to encourage increasing numbers of fighters to lay down their arms and reintegrate into society in both the north and the west. Nevertheless, one should not underestimate the daunting challenges both bodies are facing, and I offered to share advice and important lessons we have learned from similar efforts in other parts of the world.”
Bachelet also offered to provide advice and assistance to the Government – similar to that being provided to the G5 forces in the Sahel – to help ensure that military operations are in compliance with international human rights standards and violations are prevented, when military forces are engaged in counter-terrorism operations and combat against armed groups.
“As a former Minister of Defence myself, I recognize the difficulties and dilemmas faced by soldiers confronted with extremely violent armed groups moving in and out of civilian areas, committing atrocities as they go,” the UN Human Rights Chief said. “Nevertheless, every violation committed by Government forces is not only unlawful, but also counter-productive as it plays into the hands of the extremist groups, by feeding local resentment and aiding recruitment. The armed forces must win and keep the trust of local populations, and to do that they must keep scrupulously within the framework of international law and standards. If they fail to do that, they will not defeat an enemy that thrives on civilian mistrust of the authorities. In the meantime, the civilians trapped between these two powerful, if asymmetric, opposing forces, are increasingly vulnerable to lethal abuses and violations by both sides.”
The High Commissioner stressed that it is essential that members of the security forces who commit serious violations are held accountable.
“The Government briefed me on steps they have taken in response to allegations of violations,” Bachelet said. “And I urged them to be fully transparent about such cases. It is essential that crimes are punished, and are seen to be punished. If there is impunity, then there is an assumption of immunity – and this will lead to more crimes being committed, and a further decline in trust in the armed forces, which will only compound the challenges they face. The maintenance of morale is important, but deterring unlawful actions by members of the security forces is imperative. This particular issue is damaging Cameroon’s international standing, and undermining international support for efforts to combat the armed groups operating on its territory.”
The High Commissioner said she utterly condemned the targeting of civilians by all armed groups, as well as the torching of schools and medical facilities by the separatist groups in the North-West and South-West regions. “There is no logic to their behavior,” she said. “If they are arguing for more autonomy, why seek to deprive their own children of education, why kill the teachers, and destroy the health facilities? This is not idealistic, it is nihilistic. The only way to solve the issues in the two western regions is through dialogue, including in-depth analysis of the root causes of the unrest, and I urge all sides including the Government to make a strenuous effort to end the fighting and begin peace talks.”
Bachelet also raised the issue of lack of access for both international and national human rights workers – including the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms – and the humanitarian agencies, to the affected regions. “I’ve heard this from so many people,” she said. “The lack of access is feeding international and local mistrust: including mistrust of the casualty figures; suspicions and competing narratives about who is responsible for which violations and abuses; and reluctance to give full support to the Government’s efforts to deal with these crises, for fear that the lack of access and lack of clarity is masking something untoward. Limited access is also hampering the efforts of the humanitarian agencies to reach victims, and this in turn may fuel further population movements. So, as much access as possible – within the limits of what is safe – would be an important positive step forward in terms of building confidence, and I appreciate the attention the Government has given to this particular request.”
She also expressed concern to the Government over the shrinking of civic space in Cameroon, noting that some of the civil society organizations, religious leaders, opposition politicians and diplomats she met with described how certain rights and freedoms, especially those of peaceful association and assembly, had been eroded in recent months. Human rights defenders described how they have been facing harassment by the police, and many of the High Commissioner’s interlocutors raised the issue of the arrest of leading opposition politician Maurice Kamto and more than 150 of his supporters.
“I raised all these matters with the Government,” the High Commissioner said. “And I urged them to halt the practice of charging civilians before military courts. I believe there is an urgent need for a change of approach towards dissenting politicians and critical members of civil society, and a need for significant gestures to rebuild trust and confidence.”
“Everyone – Government, opposition, civil society – is in agreement that the country is facing the most serious set of crises it has seen for many years. Everyone wants to bring these crises to an end as soon as possible. The Government, civil society, political opposition, religious leaders and the international community can all make important contributions to a drive for peace, if they can discuss options openly and freely.”
While noting it was just a first step, Bachelet said she believed the welcome she received and the willingness to cooperate shown by the Government during her visit could help clear a path to effective joint action to help Cameroon come through this very difficult period.
“I, for my part, pledge my Office, including the staff serving in our regional office in Cameroon, will do all we can to help the Government find workable solutions, so that – with additional involvement of other parts of the United Nations and support from other Governments – we can work together to contribute to the restoration of peace and security, protect human rights and clear the space for effective development for people all across Cameroon. The stakes are high, not just for Cameroon itself, but for the whole region.”
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact: Rupert Colville - + 41 22 917 9767 / rcolville@ohchr.orgor Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org or Marta Hurtado - + 41 22 917 9466 / mhurtado@ohchr.org
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