Yaoundé, 24/01/2023 (MAP) – Cameroon denied Tuesday that it had given any country the role of mediator in the conflict in the English-speaking West, four days after Canada announced it was hosting talks between Yaoundé and separatist rebels.
Ottawa retorted later in the day that it stood by its announcement, even repeating that meetings between the parties, « including representatives of the government of Cameroon, » had already been held in Canada.
« Following the recent information disseminated by some media, the government informs that it has not entrusted any country or external entity, any role of mediator or facilitator, » said in a statement released Monday night Rene Emmanuel Sadi, Cameroon’s government spokesman.
On Friday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced that her country was hosting a « peace process » between the « Republic of Cameroon », two self-proclaimed and competing « governments » of « Ambazonia » – the name given by the pro-independence movement to the South-West and North-West regions, populated by the English-speaking minority – and three armed rebel movements.
Some Canadian media reported that three « secret » meetings had already taken place, two in Quebec and one in Toronto, while others reported that Canada’s mediation had been « requested » by the Cameroonian government.
« We are in contact with the parties and our statement stands, » said Adrien Blanchard, spokesman for Minister Joly, regarding Yaoundé’s denial. « Three meetings have taken place in Canada between the various parties, including representatives of the government of Cameroon, » he insisted.
« It is first and foremost up to the Cameroonian people, to the institutions and leaders they have freely given themselves, to seek the appropriate ways and means to resolve the problems facing our country, » according to Sadi’s statement.
