Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
According to the statement from the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Canada is ready to facilitate the much awaited peace process in Cameroon.
“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,” Mélanie Joly said in the statement.
“Our role also reflects Canada’s engagement to work with our African partners to build a better future for everyone.”
The agreement by the various parties to enter a formal process is a critical first step towards peace and a safer, more inclusive and prosperous future for civilians affected by conflict.
“Canada welcomes the agreement by the parties to enter a process to reach a comprehensive, peaceful and political solution of the conflict,” says Mélanie Joly.
The parties to this august agreement are The Republic of Cameroon, the Ambazonia Governing Council and the Ambazonia Defence Forces, the African People’s Liberation Movement and the Southern Cameroon Defence Force, the Interim Government, and the Ambazonia Coalition Team.
All these parties have expressed hope that other groups will join the process. They have further agreed to form technical committees to begin work on confidence-building measures.
“We commend all parties for engaging in substantive dialogue. We encourage all stakeholders to support and work with the parties to advance and contribute to an inclusive process to reach a lasting and sustainable political settlement,” the Honourable Mélanie Joly said in the statement.
Worth noting is the fact that civilians are bearing the brunt of the ongoing crisis in Cameroon rocking the North West and South West regions.
Since 2017, more than 6.000 people have lost their lives and nearly 800.000 others have been displaced as a result of the crisis. 600.000 children have not been able to have full access to education according to the Canadian government.
