WASHINGTON D.C. TO HOST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE ARMED CONFLICT IN THE SOUTHERN CAMEROONS
January 20, 2020
MARCH 19-21, 2020Conference to establish a majority position and develop a detailed framework for robust post-conflict reconstruction
Coalition members pose with US State Department Officials after a recent meeting
20th January 2020-(London | Berlin | Washington D.C)–For the past six weeks, the Coalition for Dialogue and Negotiations has engaged in a broad-based consultative process with Southern Cameroonians on the need to organize an international conference on the escalating armed conflict. Southern Cameroonians are citizens of the former British Southern Cameroons, currently North-West and South-West Regions of the Republic of Cameroon, sometimes referred to as “Anglophones” or “Ambazonians”. The Coalition has decided to use the United Nations recognized appellation: Southern Cameroons or Southern Cameroonians.These consultations have involved Southern Cameroonian professionals of all walks of life,civil society leaders, all leaders of “restorationist” (separatist) groups, Southern Cameroons political leaders, activists, religious and traditional leaders, members of parliament, businessmen and businesswomen, youth leaders, academics, media personalities and members of the diaspora. Consultations have also involved multilateral institutions, members of the diplomatic community and international non-governmental organizations.
The Coalition received feedback from over 4,631 Southern Cameroonians with more than 95-percent in support of such a conference. Given this overwhelming support, and working with various stakeholder groups, The Coalition is very pleased to announce that the International Conference on the Armed Conflict in Southern Cameroons will take place in Washington D.C from March 19 to 21, 2020 under the theme: “Defining a Pathway for Our Future”
The Conference has two main objectives:Engage all segments and professionals of Southern Cameroons origin to establish the majority view on a pathway to a permanent negotiated solution to the armed conflict, andDevelop a detailed framework for a robust post-conflict reconstruction.Seven (7) Working Groups (WG) have been established to guide deliberations throughout the conference. WGs are made up of technical experts, representatives from major stakeholder groups and interested Southern Cameroonians. The 7 Working Groups are: (1). Mediation and Negotiations; (2) Economic Reconstruction; (3) Judiciary and Constitutional Affairs; (4) Peacebuilding and Public Security; (5) Healthcare and Humanitarian Relief; (6) Education and Vocational Empowerment; and (7) Governance.
Working Groups are further divided into Sub-Groups, which focus on specific areas. Sub-Group recommendations will be forwarded to the full Working Group for consideration and adoption. This bottom-up approach will ensure that the views and recommendations of average Southern Cameroonians are directly reflected in Conference resolutions.
On Twitter using #ICSC2020For important conference timeline please visit the website at: https://aic.coalitionfdn.org
To allow for proper planning the deadline for the accreditation of all conference delegates is March 1, 2020. About the Coalition for Dialogue and Negotiations The Coalition for Dialogue and Negotiations (CDN) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) with the specific goal of facilitating dialogue and negotiations towards ending the war in Southern Cameroons. CDN is made of professionals from all works of life and over 20 partner organizations worldwide advocating for an end to the war. CDN members work with its partners to strengthen international involvement in resolving the conflict and building durable peace in the conflict affected territories. Contact: Kindly send all inquiries to Rick Ferreira, Executive Director at Rick.Ferreira@coalitionfdn.org
