The government of Cameroon in a statement last Monday has denied being part of a mediation process announced by the Canadian foreign minister last Friday.
In the statement read over the state radio on Monday January 23, 2023, the government spokesperson, Minister of Communication Rene Sadi said: “ it has not entrusted any foreign government or entity with the role of mediator or facilitator to settle the crisis in the North West and South West regions”.
On Friday the Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly announced that the “Parties involved in the peace process are the Republic of Cameroon, the Ambazonia Governing Council and the Ambazonia Defense Force, the African People’s Liberation Movement and the Southern Cameroons Defense Force, the Interim Government and the Ambazonia Coalition Team.
“Canada has accepted the mandate to facilitate this process, as part of our commitment to promote peace and security and advance support for democracy and human rights,” said Joly.
Now the Cameroon government has denied being part of the initiative. Rene Sadi in his statement touted the 2019 Major National Dialogue that the Cameroon government organised in Yaoundé. He said the government has been working [since the MND] to implement the recommendations of the gathering. Minister Sadi reiterated government’s commitment to reconstruct the damaged regions.
While thanking the U.S. for arresting “perpetrators “of deadly attacks and destruction, Sadi urged “friendly countries to track down and bring to justice those who, from abroad are financing and encouraging violence in our country [Cameroon]”.
He reechoed what is now known as the “peace offer of the President of the Republic” to members of armed groups asking them to drop weapons for a pardon of the state.
Jude VIBAN
