A keen observation of some clear cacophony in government actions towards resolving the ongoing armed conflict in the North West and South West regions which threatens Cameroon’s much-parroted ‘living together’ slogan clearly brings to mind the popular maxim that “united we stand, divided we fall”
Biya, what way forward to end the ongoing bloodletting in the two Anglophone regions?
The above dictum holds in the as there seems absence in unism of actions from members of the regime in a bid to arrest the worsening conflict that according to the UN has killed over 3000, rendered over 600 000 internally displaced with over 50 000 living in precarious situations as refugees in Nigeria. Political watchers have posited and rightly so, that the public show of cacophony within members of the regime is a clear indication not every close confidant of President Biya, 88, wants to assist him resolve the conflict.
The armed conflict in the two English-speaking regions, observers are unanimous, if not resolved, would dampen the little legacy Biya would have been expected to leave behind. The conflict, pundits have posited, is threatening the country’s foundations of unity in diversity, social cohesion, togetherness, and peace which Biya has fought to maintain.
There are now fears what the octogenarian would left behind as legacy if the conflict isn’t resolved before he leaves power. President Biya’s seventh mandate expires in 2025. Many believe his advanced age might not permit him to seek an eighth mandate. For the past five years that the conflict has lingered on, certain unforgettable moves have been taken especially by the Anglophone Prime Ministers to seek solutions but such moves have met with stone wall resistance from same regime, with aim of making the peace initiators look unpopular and unproductive in the face of the Head of State.
Hardliners within regime, working against Biya?
The current regime, we gathered is divided into two camps. There are those advocating for overtures toward separatist leaders and those seeking to obstruct any negotiated settlement to the conflict. Such a divide, we have it on good authority is not on linguistic lines, as there are Anglophones and Francophones in both camps.
The cracks clearly show certain prominent members of government are not committed to helping Biya, find lasting political solution to the war that keeps ravaging the country with economic and humanitarian implications far beyond the troubled regions.
It is rumoured the division within the regime has been compounded by tensions about who might succeed the Biya. Though tensions over succession are not new, in the current environment, they could stymie a real chance to end a needless war. Such infighting and jostling only prevents peace initiatives from advancing. The seeming and incessant sabotage of peace moves from regime hardliners only eaves the suffering masses in the two regions and beyond to be further grief-stricken.
PM preaching peace in NW as soldiers allegedly burn homes
Cacophony in government was shamefully brought to the fore last week during the Prime Minister’s four-day peace mission to the North West. Many Cameroonians have been left wondering if the government is actually sincere in ending the ongoing war. It was shocking for many to see images of homes being set ablaze in Kikaikom in Bui division in the same region while PM was in Bamenda preaching the need for all and sundry to embrace peace.
Many still cannot comprehend the gravity of the situation that would warrant soldiers to set ablaze homes while the PM was preaching peace. We gathered, the developments from the village left even elite of the division devastated. The move, it is rumoured has further radicalized many youth to join the ranks of separatist fighters. The burning, observers were unanimous completely waters down the mission of the PM. Many have said such actions are simply clear signs a faction of the regime doesn’t want an end to the crisis. It has been said many are benefiting from the war in both belligerent groups.
PM talks peace in SW while Beti Assomo talks war in NW
Another visible discordance in government action was seen a fortnight ago when the PM visited the South West region. As Dion Ngute was evaluating the implementation of the recommendations of the Major National Dialogue and preaching peace to the population, the Minister Delegate to the residency in Charge of Defence was spitting fire in Bamenda. Beti Assomo had storm the North West, announcing a paradigm shift in the armed that warrants more military action from the soldiers. His visit followed the killing of at least 15 soldiers in Ngoketunjia.
Many have questioned why he didn’t immediately descend to the field when the attack on soldiers occurred but only did same day the PM a day ahead of the PM’s visit to the South West region. Pundits say at this time, government actions should be tilted towards one direction such that the population regain lost confidence in government to collaborate for return to peace.
Suspicious gunshots at Matazen
The deafening gunshots that welcome PM last Tuesday October 5 to the North West at Matazen has equally been questioned by many Cameroonians. Though videos have emerged online with separatist fighters claiming responsibility of the act, many are those who still think the authors of the gunshots could be those fighting against return to peace.
Regime hardliners are suspected to have arranged for the gunshots in order to make the PM look unpopular before the population to proof to Biya he isn’t the right man to occupy the Star Building. Such believes, however, doesn’t cancel the courage of the separatist fighters in attacking officials in the two regions.
Talks with jailed Amba leaders thwarted
Talks which were opened with jailed separatist leaders has seemingly died a natural death at birth due to infighting in the system. Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and others serving a life sentence had said they were in talks with government for possible ceasefire.
Government in a quick twist said there was not talks with separatist leaders. Communication Minister, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, in a statement dispelled the news stressing claims from separatist and media reports “were not consistent with reality.”
Infighting is said to have erupted within regime stalwarts. It was rumoured that some hardliners were angered with the procedure with which the talks were held without them being at the centre.
Futile moves to block convening of National Dialogue. Worth recalling is the fact that in May 2019, the Head of State dispatched the PM to the North West and South West regions to listen to the population and to tell them he was willing to dialogue with everybody to resolve the crisis.
Dion Ngute started the tour in the North West region. While still in the region, a member of government stealthily escaped to France and made infamous declarations which almost damped his mission to the regions. The said minister an interview with a French media organ, a France 24 rubbished what the PM said in the North West region in line with Biya willing to dialogue. The official categorically said government would dialogue on all subjects but not on the form of the state whereas the PM had said the Biya was willing to listen to all subjects but for the secession agenda.
This clearly showed signs of cacophony in government actions. Political watchers interpreted the move as efforts from regime hardliners to block the convening of the dialogue.
How hardliners escalated the crisis
At the early stage of the crisis before it later morphed into an armed conflict, government hardliners made efforts to create disorder and frustrate peace moves which were made to aggrieved lawyers and teachers through the former Pm, Yang Philemon.
Memories are still fresh of how some ministers gathered in a hotel in Yaounde and granted a press conference and churned derogatory words which inflamed the grievances of Anglophones at a time the PM was in Bamenda struggling to talk them to embrace peace and give government to address the concerns. Many saw the move from the ministers as a total humiliation of the Head of Government.
Division within separatist leaders not helping matters
Unfortunately for the suffering masses, not only government officials are divided in moves to end the crisis. Separatist leaders who pass for liberators are also at each other’s neck. The separatist camps have emerged with one led by incarcerated leader, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and the other led by Samuel Sako, a former pastor based in Maryland, United States. Sisiku who still appears to be the most influential, with the overwhelming majority of fighters seeing him as the leader of the movement is facing tought times in all his efforts to negotiate with government from the Sako-led team.
By Doh Bertrand Nua
No comments:
Post a Comment