By NOELA EBOB BISONG
What began circulating as rumours pertaining to a possible dialogue between the government of Cameroon and Separatist leaders of the current Anglophone crisis in Cameroon to be mediated by Switzerland, has been confirmed to be true after all. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on June 27, 2019, announced on its efforts to facilitate a resolution of the crisis in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon through a dialogue process.
In confirming its role, the Swiss government writes that “The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), working in close partnership with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre), is committed to finding a peaceful, lasting negotiated solution to the crisis in north-western and south-western Cameroon”. The statement further reads that “Switzerland was tasked by a majority of the parties with facilitating an inclusive negotiation process. To this end, a second meeting with various Cameroonian opposition groups took place in Switzerland between 25 and 27 June 2019. The aim of the meeting was to prepare the future peace negotiations between the Cameroonian government and the political opposition”.
Also, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) released a statement following that of the Swiss Federal Council on Thursday, in which it affirmed its support to Switzerland in establishing talks between Cameroon’s warring parties. “The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) has been tasked by Switzerland, with the consent of the parties, to support the establishment of talks between the Republic of Cameroon and the pro-independence groups of Southern Cameroons with a view to achieving a negotiated, just and sustainable settlement of the conflict”.
UN
The Swiss announcement has been welcomed by the international community, as the Spokesperson of the United Nations Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, following the announcement, on June 28, 2019, stated that the Secretary-General welcomes the announcement made by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on 27 June on its efforts to facilitate a resolution of the crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon through a dialogue process. He expresses the full backing of the United Nations to this endeavour and reaffirms his readiness to support it as necessary. He encourages all parties to participate in this process and commends the Cameroonian authorities and other stakeholders for this positive step.
US
The United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Tibor Nagy, one who has also been paying attention to the Anglophone crisis, has expressed his delight that the Swiss government has accepted to engage in negotiations between the Cameroon government and separatist leaders. He states in his tweet that “We encourage all parties to participate in this inclusive negotiation process to bring peace to Cameroon”.
EU
The European Union also reacted that: “In the face of continuing violence in the South West and North West Regions of Cameroon, the European Union reiterates its call for dialogue to all parties, essential for a lasting exit from the crisis, to restore peace to all Cameroonians”, a statement released from Brussels on Friday, June 28, 2019, by the EU spokesperson read.
The statement also outlined that “The European Union continues to support the efforts in this regard and welcomes in this respect the facilitating role in the crisis by the Swiss Government at the request of the parties, as stated by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in its statement yesterday. The European Union will continue to coordinate with its partners, including the United Nations, the African Union and ECCAS”. However, the government of Cameroon is yet to make an official statement in relation to the Swiss talks.
Criticisms
However, some Cameroonians are so far criticizing the supposed talks, holding that Switzerland may not really have much to offer, at least not to the satisfaction of separatists.
Separatist leaders maintain stance, back Switzerland
Nonetheless, a statement released on June 27, 2019 and signed by eight leaders of the Separatist Movement highlights several key issues including maintaining the fact that the dialogue proper is yet to begin, they seek the restoration of the independence of Southern Cameroons/Ambazonia, have committed to the Swiss process and will participate in it in good faith, as the move is “a leap in the dark”, as well as the fact that they are satisfied that Switzerland has no hidden agenda.