Reactions on the Major National Dialogue
“The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement made today by President Paul Biya on the launch of a national dialogue process in Cameroon. He encourages the Government of Cameroon to ensure that the process is inclusive and addresses the challenges facing the country. He calls on all Cameroonian stakeholders, including the Diaspora, to participate in this effort. The Secretary-General reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to support the dialogue process.”
~ Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson of the UN Secretary General
10 September 2019
” I encourage a process that will enjoy the trust of all parties and that addresses the root causes of the crisis in order to bring sustained peace. The Commonwealth stands ready to assist, and I call on all parties to participate fully in the process. The people of the northwest and southwest regions, children in particular, deserve a return to normal life free from fear and gross violations of human rights and atrocities perpetuated by parties to the conflict, including armed groups. “
~ Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General,
11 September 2019
“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, welcomes the commitment of the President of the Republic of Cameroon, H.E. Paul Biya, to organize a national dialogue to resolve the crisis in the two English-speaking regions of the country.
He encourages and calls upon all Cameroonian stakeholders, including the diaspora and armed groups, to take part in this national dialogue and to seize this opportunity to discuss the root causes of this crisis.
The Chairperson reiterates the readiness of the African Union Commission to support Cameroon in the search for a consensual and lasting solution to preserve Cameroon’s unity and integrity. “
~ Ebba Kalondo
Spokesperson of the Commission’s Chairperson
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa, 11 September 2019
“Communiqué from the incumbent presidency Of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) [Download the PDF]
~ Presidency of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
Libreville on 11 September 2019
“France hopes that the national dialogue announced by President Biya will allow broad consultations to take place,
Paving the way for a peaceful resolution of the crisis in the SW and NW regions of the country.
Our statement”
~France Diplomatie
“We have always called for a national meeting to discuss the problem and calling for a national dialogue is a welcome initiative…
people should go to the dialogue table in good faith to build and not to destroy Cameroon.”
~The emeritus Archbishop of Douala, Christian Cardinal Tumi
“We have proposed three levels of the involvement of Cameroonian youths in the national dialogue. We have indoor, outdoor and around the door involvement. This means that all young people in Cameroon will be involved in the dialogue. Today we have been consulted so that we will be stakeholders. We will have youth delegates at all stages beginning from subdivisions, divisions and regions. We will also consult the young people in the Diaspora so that our voice be heard and we bring on the table proposaIs of the youths in order to promote the atmosphere of peace. This is because we need to be part of the history of our country.”
~Fadimatau Iyawa, President of the National Youth Council.
“The message of the Head of State calling for dialogue comes at an appropriate time to bring down tempers. He is taking the responsibility as a father of 10 children (the ten different regions of the country) to set things right. As a father of the nation.
He does an evaluation of the different problems submitted and looks for the most appropriate time to address them through the best means. I dare say what has been termed the Anglophone crisis will be history as dialogue has been announced for the end of this month. We expect those who represent the different strata of public opinion to come with concrete ideas during the dialogue. “
~Patrick Ekema,
Mayor of Buea Council.
“It was a fatherly speech that the Head of State featured on September 10, 2019. It is my wish that great work be done between now and the end of September so that the President will be able to fast tract the dialogue process. It was a good speech and the president looked worried that children are not going to school and the crisis has not helped things with increased criminality, destruction, kidnappings and killings. We acknowledge two distinct cultures in Cameroon where Anglophones will want things to go fast and Francophones may not be interested in things going fast and my prayer is that we should all give the Head of State the chance to act because I have known him to act more than what he says. Remember that he cited his constitutional powers in the speech which is indicative that he can do more for normalcy to return.”
~Ngufor Peter Njongor,
Bamenda-based North-West Elite.
The Head of State if I understand him well is calling everybody to the dialogue table he didn’t exclude anything; we should come on the dialogue table with intellectual honesty…
~ His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi
The delegates and participants should keep aside their political ideologies, affiliations and look at the issue from the point of the national interest of the country…
~ Professor Victor Julius Ngoh, Historian
The Head of State extended what I can describe as, much of an olive branch so we have to move on and achieve the desired results so that this country can enjoy peace and bask in the warmth of our legendary hospitality…
~ Charles Mbella Moki, Senator
We expect those who represent the different strata of public opinion to come with concrete ideas during the dialogue…
~ Patrick Ekema, Mayor of the Buea Council
I think the dialogue table will be a moment to press hard for effective decentralisation to be able to ensure that local development truly becomes a matter for the grassroots playing a front role…
~ Ndumu Vincent Nji, Government Delegate Bamenda
The Prime Minister has schooled us and now we shall go back to the South-West. We shall have consultations from the grassroots, sub-divisional and divisional levels. Then we shall be prepared to face the inclusive dialogue…
~ Chief Mafany Njie, SW Chiefs’ Conference
Dust is actually settling down and minds are receiving fresh and clean air generated by the call for dialogue and the anticipations of its outcome…
~ Franklin Ndifor, NPPC
I am certain that the long-awaited dialogue will be a platform for long lasting solutions in the North-West and South-West Regions…
~ Imam Arouna Abdoulaye, Bafoussam
Let us use this opportunity wisely for the development of our cherished Fatherland. Together, let us build our regions and our nation…
~ Enow Benz Bate, Spokesperson, G20 Group
To me it is a stitch in time that will mend and save the country…
~ Ewande Becky Makembe Akwo, South-West Region
I wish to propose that the dialogue should be inclusive and sincere…
~ Sinjoh Armstrong Yeasi, Social and Political Commentator
In everything that we do, there must be truth and justice. Once there is justice everything will follow…
~ Barrister Morfaw Evaristus, Bar Association
Dialogue is always the best way to solve problems…it is a praise worthy initiative
~ His Lordship Andrew Nkea, Mamfe
We should identify the problems and present solutions…
~ Alhadji Mohammed Aboubakar, Buea
Dialogue is going to lead us out of this current crisis…
~ Fon Fontem Asabaton Njifua, Paramount Fon of Fontem
My take is that the purpose of the dialogue is to determine the price of peace in Cameroon…
~ Eric Chinje, Opinion Leader
Our party came with the proposal that the known and most active groups be invited to attend and to express themselves in the dialogue…
~ Maigari Bello Bouba, President of the NUDP
Humanitarian plan should become reconstruction plan…
~ Banda Kani, President of NPM
It is a good thing that we are talking…
~ Barrister Akere Muna, Platform towards a New Republic
We gave very concrete proposals and focused on recovery, reconstruction, stabilisation and sustainability…
~ Musa Shey Nfor, President of CAMCCUL
The dialogue should consider broad-based participation…
~ Esther Njomo Omam, NWSW Women Task Force