Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya advocates for direct talks between Cameroon’s government and separatist fighters to achieve lasting peace amidst ongoing conflict in the English-speaking regions. Established in 2016 due to perceived marginalization, the crisis has caused significant casualties and displacements. Although the government has made strides in dialogue resolutions and disarmament, experts warn of “negative peace” if underlying issues are not resolved.
The Archbishop of Bamenda in Cameroon, Andrew Nkea Fuanya, has insisted that direct dialogue between the national government and separatist fighters in the English-speaking regions is essential for achieving sustainable peace. Speaking on March 18 in Yaoundé, he stated that separatists perceive a lack of genuine governmental commitment towards resolving the ongoing crisis, which began in 2016 due to grievances over marginalization by the predominantly French-speaking leadership.
This separatist conflict has escalated considerably, resulting in over 6,000 fatalities and displacing more than a million people. The crisis stems from concerns that Anglophone identities and rights have been overlooked in favor of a Francophone majority, exacerbated by an assimilation plan acknowledged by President Paul Biya in 2019, which ultimately failed due to cultural differences.
The Major National Dialogue aimed to address the crisis by proposing numerous measures: granting special status to the Anglophone regions, revitalizing the House of Traditional Chiefs, integrating ex-combatants into society, and enhancing local governance. However, Archbishop Nkea emphasized the need for direct engagement with separatist leaders, indicating that without this, trust and the potential for dialogue remain low.
During the meeting, Nkea pointed out that both fighters and some of their leaders feel that some government officials prefer the continuation of the conflict, hindering genuine dialogue efforts. He indicated a cautious willingness from some separatist fighters to participate in follow-up discussions, fostering hope for potential peace conversations.
Nkea condemned the reliance on force to resolve the conflict, arguing that historical precedents illustrate the necessity of negotiations for peace. Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute recognized religious leaders’ contributions while highlighting government progress on implementing dialogue resolutions, including the establishment of Regional Councils and legal actions against separatist leaders abroad.
Despite observable advances in the decentralization process and disarmament initiatives, experts warn of the risk of “negative peace,” where superficial calm obscures deeper issues of injustice and inequality. Experts stress that if the underlying causes of conflict remain unaddressed, future violence could ensue.
In conclusion, the Archbishop of Bamenda calls for direct dialogue between the Cameroon government and separatist fighters to address the unresolved issues fueling the conflict. While some governmental measures have shown progress, experts caution that failing to tackle the root causes could lead to a fragile peace, potentially igniting future confrontations.
Original Source: cruxnow.com
