Cameroon denies asking for help with Anglophone separatist crisis

Since 2017, secessionist militias in Cameroon’s Anglophone areas have been battling authorities troops over perceived marginalisation.

Cameroon President Paul Biya attends the Paris Peace Discussion board, France, November 12, 2019 [File: Charles Platiau/Reuters]

Cameroon’s authorities says it has not requested any nation to mediate its battle with Anglophone separatists, apparently denying a press release from Canada that it had been assigned to work on a peace course of.

The Cameroonian authorities “has not entrusted any overseas nation or exterior entity with any position of mediator or facilitator to settle the disaster,” it mentioned in a press release on Monday that didn't instantly point out Canada.

On January 21, Canada’s overseas ministry mentioned it had accepted a mandate to facilitate a peace course of between Cameroonian authorities and a few separatist factions in English-speaking areas to resolve a battle that has gone on since 2017.

A spokesperson for the Anglophone separatists, who're attempting to type a breakaway state referred to as Ambazonia within the nation’s minority English-speaking areas, mentioned they'd taken notice of the federal government’s newest assertion however wouldn't remark additional.

They'd beforehand mentioned they have been dedicated to a negotiated course of mandated by Canada.

There was no quick remark by Canada’s overseas ministry.

America embassy in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde mentioned on Twitter on Monday that it welcomed Canada’s announcement of talks to resolve the disaster.

Cameroon’s separatist motion stems from the perceived marginalisation of the English-speaking group by the French-speaking majority since a 1961 plebiscite fused each elements of the nation into one.

Because the battle started, factions of secessionist militias have been battling authorities troops within the two Angophone areas, which has killed hundreds and displaced almost 800,000 folks. In the meantime, some 600,000 youngsters would not have full entry to schooling, based on the Canadian authorities, as many faculties have been shut.

A 2019 nationwide dialogue granted particular standing to the 2 Anglophone areas however didn't resolve the battle.