By Noela Ebob Bisong
Representatives of member countries of the United Nations Security Council have made their positions known with regards to the ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon, following the informal discussions held on the deteriorating humanitarian conditions of the country’s population in the two restive Anglophone regions of the country, on Monday May 13. Due to the fact that the UNSC meeting on Cameroon was an informal one, no binding resolutions were outlined at the end of it.
However, following the disturbing reports from the testimonies of Omam Esther Njomo, Executive Director of Reach out Cameroon as well as others, the representatives of the UNSC member states have been able to judge for themselves what is, and what has to be done to salvage the situation.
France, former colonial master of Cameroon says investigations should be carried out and the culprits be brought to justice without exception. It also holds that humanitarian assistance should be stepped up, and that the Cameroon government should launch inclusive dialogue and parties halt violence and respect the rule of law. France however endorses the ongoing Prime Minister’s efforts and suggestions to seek and restore peace in the two troubled regions of Cameroon.
Belgium, like France, would like actors of atrocities to be investigated and brought to justice, and it holds they are ready to support dialogue between Government and armed separatists. Belgium also says it would provide their experience in federalism to any form of decentralization solutions.
Kuwait, on its part, has endorsed that national reconciliation and Humanitarian assistance takes place in Cameroon.
The United Kingdom says they stand with decentralization, a position said to be held also by the United States.
Poland calls for all the parties on the ground to come together for inclusive dialogue, says full humanitarian access is important and maintains that there is no peace without justice, thus stating that all involved in atrocities must be brought to justice.
Cameroon’s neighbour Equatorial Guinea, supports inclusive dialogue as a means to end the conflict with both sides ready to make compromise.
Germany holds there is need to look at the root causes of the crisis, while China, Cameroon’s bilateral partner holds that the International community should not interfere with Cameroon’s internal problems, as Cameroon is capable of handling the threats it is currently facing.
Russia, another partner of Cameroon corroborates the China position to reiterate that the International community should not interfere with the internal affairs of Cameroon, stating that the African Union and other organizations within the continent should handle the issue. As a matter of fact, Russia pledges to assist its partner Cameroon, should the latter request.