Cameroon: No UN Security Meeting in Sight for the Anglophone Crisis

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

As the violence and killings continue in the North West and South West Regions of the country the UN Security Council has indicated that the crisis is not on their agenda anytime soon. The body has, however, made known the situation that will get the Security Council to talk about it and that will only be the degeneration of the crisis.

The revelation was made known by the current UN Security Council Chief for April, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy at the council’s press conference for April on conflicts and crises in the world

“There is no plan as of right now for the Security Council to have a meeting on Cameroon,” said the official according to the World Federation of United Nations Association, WFUNA

“… If the situation on the ground worsens and warrants a meeting, then the Security Council will meet and address the issue,” the Vietnamese diplomat was quoted further.

Judith Nwana, member of the Coalition for Dialogue and Negotiation while questioning the diplomat said.… the humanitarian and human rights situation in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon is worsening by the day…We are pleading for you to bring up the conflict for discussion at the Security Council. How possible is that?” she quizzed

This recent announcement by the UN Security Council Chief only goes to dampen the aspirations of those who have been fighting for a breakaway state of “Ambazonia”.

In a tweet Mark Bareta, one of the Anglophone activists abroad said: “We have wasted 2 years seeking international recognition to no avail. Can you believe the UN Security Council has just declared that the Anglophone crisis is not even on their agenda any time soon?”

“The UN Security Council has largely kept silent on the crisis,” a group of nine human rights campaigners including Human Rights Watch said about the slow response of the Security Council on the matter. “Without expeditious action, the situation is likely to worsen,” they further warned.

On the 15 of January this year, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged authorities in Cameroon to take steps to prosecute perpetrators behind two recent deadly attacks in the Anglophone Regions of the country.

“The Secretary-General urges the Cameroonian authorities to take all necessary measures to swiftly bring the perpetrators of both attacks to justice and enhance the protection of civilians”, the note said

The UN chief also reiterated his call on all parties to cease hostilities and engage in a political dialogue to end the crisis.

About the Anglophone Crisis

Long-running tensions in the English-speaking North West and South West Regions of Cameroon erupted into conflict in late 2016, prompting crackdowns by security forces and leaving 1.3 million people in need of aid, according to the United Nations.

Cameroon’s English speakers have felt increasingly marginalized by the French-speaking government. The military stepped in and thousands of Anglophones fled the ensuing crackdown, which Cameroon authorities described as an anti-terrorist operation.

A U.N. human rights committee in February criticized the “heavy-handed approach” of the security forces to the crisis, which saw medical facilities, schools and entire villages destroyed.

Allegra Baiocchi, the then U.N.’s humanitarian coordinator in Cameroon, said the violence was hampering relief efforts, and also blamed a lack of funding from other countries.