Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya urges the Cameroonian government to hold direct talks with separatist fighters to foster genuine peace in the English-speaking regions. The ongoing crisis, stemming from grievances regarding marginalization, has resulted in thousands of deaths and significant displacement. The Archbishop warns that without addressing the root causes of the conflict, any peace achieved may only be superficial and unsustainable.
The Archbishop of Bamenda, Andrew Nkea Fuanya, has emphasized the necessity for the Cameroonian government to engage in direct negotiations with separatist fighters to establish lasting peace in the nation’s English-speaking regions. During a meeting in Yaoundé on March 18, he articulated that many separatists perceive governmental commitments as insincere and ineffective.
The separatist crisis, which commenced in 2016, unfolded when lawyers and educators protested perceived marginalization by the predominantly French-speaking administration. This situation escalated into an armed conflict, resulting in over 6,000 fatalities, displacing more than a million individuals, and widespread property destruction.
Cameroon’s colonial past has created significant language divisions between the French and English-speaking populations, leading to grievances related to identity and rights. President Paul Biya acknowledged a failed assimilation effort during the Second Paris Peace Summit in November 2019, indicating deep-rooted tensions that have spiraled into open conflict.
The Major National Dialogue proposed various measures to mitigate the crisis, including granting special status to the Anglophone regions, enhancing local governance, and fostering social integration for ex-fighters. While the Archbishop recognized some progress in these areas, he highlighted the vital need for the government to engage directly with the separatists, noting their skepticism towards the governmental discussions.
He also condemned the reliance on force to resolve disputes, advocating for dialogue as the only viable solution, drawing parallels to historical conflicts resolved at negotiation tables. Although the Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, acknowledged progress in decentralization and the disarmament of fighters, experts caution against overlooking the conflict’s root causes, warning that failure to do so could lead to a superficial peace marked by underlying tensions.
In summary, the Archbishop of Bamenda calls for direct dialogue between the Cameroonian government and separatist factions as a crucial step towards achieving lasting peace. Despite the government’s attempts to address various grievances, it is essential to confront the fundamental causes of the conflict to avoid a mere cessation of violence. Religious leaders and conflict resolution specialists continue to emphasize that genuine engagement with dissenters is vital for sustainable peace.
Original Source: cruxnow.com
