Pope Francis, supreme pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church has supported the acceptance of Canada in leading peaceful conflict resolution between disputing parties in Cameroon.
The disputing parties include four factions fighting with the state of Cameroon over issues related to marginalisation, secession or greater political autonomy which has caused socio political unrest in the North-west and South-West regions of Cameroon.
After praying midday Angelus on January 22, Pope Francis mentioned the Canadian peace led process and encouraged the path of dialogue in Cameroon. The Pope said “Positive signs are coming from Cameroon that bring the hope of progress toward the resolution of the conflict in the English-speaking regions. I encourage all the parties who have signed the agreement to persevere on the path of dialogue and mutual understanding, for only through encounter can the future be designed” the Pope said, referring to the peace initiative that Canada has agreed to facilitate with the warring parties in Cameroon.
Canadian foreign minister Mélanie Joly on January 20th issued a statement stating that Canada is ready to facilitate peace talks between conflicting parties in Cameroon.
“Canada welcomes the agreement by the parties to enter a process to reach a comprehensive, peaceful and political resolution of the conflict. The parties have also agreed to form technical committees to begin work on confidence-building measures…”
“The agreement to enter a formal process is a critical first step toward peace and a safer, more inclusive and prosperous future for civilians affected by the conflict…”
“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 parties to this agreement are the Republic of Cameroon, the Ambazonia Governing Council and the Ambazonia Defence Force, the African People’s Liberation Movement and the Southern Cameroons Defence Force, the Interim Government, and the Ambazonia Coalition Team. The parties further express the hope that other groups will join the process.”
Parts of the statement read.
By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum
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The Pope is seemingly so excited with idea of peace that he ignores the reAlity on the ground. Let the Pope urge the Canadians, as Amb Tibor Nagy said in a tweet, to organize a referendum for Ambazonians to choose their leaders, rather than imposing leaders on Ambazonians. While the idea is a good one, the Ambazonians do not have faith in those chosen to represent them.