As the situation in Cameroon’s North West and south West Regions deepens, the clergy want the country’s Head of State, President Paul Biya to enter negotiations to find a peaceful constitutional settlement that addresses the grievances of the Anglophone community.

In an open letter dated February 17, 2020, a copy sent to the Pope, the Bishops write: “We, the undersigned Roman Catholic bishops from across the globe, write to respectfully urge your government to participate in proposed Swiss-led peace talks aimed at ending the violence in Cameroon’s North West and South West regions.

“We stress that we are impartial. We are motivated by our concern about the suffering of unarmed civilians, and the stability and prosperity of Cameroon. Violence and atrocities on all sides have forced 656,000 Anglophone Cameroonians from their homes, kept 800,000 children from school (including 400,000 from Catholic schools), caused 50,000 people to flee to Nigeria, destroyed hundreds of villages and resulted in a death toll of at least 2,000.

“Each of these lives is precious, and we mourn their suffering and wish to prevent more loss of life and innocence. There will be no military victory for any side. A lasting solution to Cameroon’s problems must come from a mediated process that includes Anglophone armed-separatist groups and non-violent civil-society leaders. If all parties treat each other as they wish to be treated, a solution is possible.

“We applaud the Cameroonian government’s Major National Dialogue several months ago. However, it did not stop the violence. We believe the proposed Swiss-led talks offer the best path to an appropriate political solution through inclusive negotiations. The success of these talks will be critical in Cameroon’s journey towards ensuring peace and your legacy as an effective leader in a troubled region. It is our sincere hope that all interested stakeholders will join these talks and show a spirit of cooperation, pragmatism, and realism to ensure these negotiations succeed. This is what the people of Cameroon, your sons and daughters, God’s children, expect and deserve. Only true peace will allow Catholic dioceses, clinics, and schools to once again minister safely to the blessed congregants and citizens of Anglophone Cameroon.”

The bishops grouped under the Global Campaign for Peace and Justice in Cameroon include: Bishop Siegfried Jwara, Vicariate Apostolic, Ingwavuma, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Bishop John Keenan, diocese of Paisley, Scotland; Bishop Noel Simard, diocese of Valleyfield, Quebec, Canada; The Most Reverend Charles Hammawa Jalingo, Diocese of Tabara State, Nigeria; Bishop Mark Davies, diocese of Shrewsbury, England; Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, archdiocese of Suva, Fiji; Bishop Bart van Roijen, diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador, Canada; Bishop Thomas R Zinkula, diocese of Davenport, Iowa, USA; Bishop Terence Drainey, diocese of Middlesborough, England; Bishop Antonio R Tobias, Emeritus of Novaliches, Philippines; Bishop Albert Thevenot, diocese of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada; Bishop Ray Browne, diocese of Kerry, Ireland; Bishop Jose Cabantan, diocese of Malaybalay, Philippines; Cardinal Soane Patita Mafi, diocese of Tonga, South Pacific; Archbishop Donald Bolen, archdiocese of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; and Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, diocese of Waterford et Lismore, Ireland.

Cameroon-Info.Net recalls that in the context of the crisis in Cameroon’s North West and South West Regions, a majority of parties asked Switzerland to facilitate an inclusive negotiating process. As mediator, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), in collaboration with the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), offered its contribution to find a negotiated and peaceful solution to the crisis.

In this role, Switzerland pledged to establish contacts and provide channels of communication with the good offices of Switzerland motivated by humanitarian considerations. In this context, Switzerland adheres to the principles of strict neutrality and discretion.

Switzerland's commitment, according to its embassy in Yaoundé, is not motivated by any interest other than a peaceful resolution of conflicts and it engages in facilitation processes only as long as the parties judge it useful.