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Slams US Ambassador for comments on crisis
Condemning the carnage in its southern region by Cameroon security forces, the United States (US) Ambassador Peter Barlerin warned that America’s law prevented training or working with units against whom credible allegations of gross violations of human rights have been lodged.
Barlerin, who was briefing the media on the outcome of his meeting with President Paul Biya, said April proved the bloodiest in the crisis in Southern Cameroon, an indication that things were not getting better.
A copy of his statement obtained from the Embassy’s official website, said: “On the situation in the Northwest and Southwest, the month of April has proven the bloodiest, so things are not getting better. I discussed with the President our view that the two sides in the conflict are simply not listening to each other.
“On the side of the government, there have been targeted killings, detentions without access to legal support, family, or the Red Cross, and burning and looting of villages. On the side of the separatists, there have been murders of gendarmes, kidnapping of government officials, and burning of schools. People on both sides of the conflict have engaged in speech that dehumanizes the opposite side.
“We continue to call on both sides to stop the violence immediately. I asked the President to use his leadership to encourage both sides to listen to each other. One cannot have a dialogue until both sides are willing to listen to the other’s point of view.”
On the country’s security, he said: “In the area of security cooperation, I congratulated the President on our joint efforts to fight Boko Haram and the Islamic State in the Far North. I told him I appreciated the Minister Delegate for Defence’ assurances that U.S. equipment would only be used in the fight against Boko Haram and the Islamic State.
“I also stressed that U.S. law prevents us from training or working with units against whom credible allegations of gross violations of human rights have been lodged.
“In this regard, I welcomed the recent press communiqué that there would be a full investigation of alleged torture of a prisoner by Cameroonian forces and that the guilty would be punished. A recent UNDP study found that 71 percent of those who said they had joined violent extremist organizations did so because of government action such as the murder of a close relative or friend.”
But Barlerin’s statement was condemned by the government, which insisted its army had shown professionalism in the Anglophone crisis.
In a communiqué summoning the Ambassador with regards to his statement, Cameroon’s External Affairs Minister, Mbella Mbella, the government accused the diplomat of a mission to destabilise the leadership in the country.
Mbella said: “This follows a statement issued by Ambassador Barlerin on Friday, May 18, after an audience the latter was granted by the President, Republic of Cameroon. In the said statement, the Ambassador accused the Cameroonian army of targeted assassinations in the Northwest and Southwest regions, while advising the Head of State not to stand the upcoming presidential election in order to secure his legacy, following the examples of former Presidents Nelson Mandela and George Washington.
“The Minister of External Relations expressed the Cameroonian government’s disapproval of the Ambassador’s outing, which flouts all diplomatic practices and shows disregard both in form and content for rules of civility and the law.
“As to what concerns the form of the Ambassador’s remarks, it is important to recall that Ambassadors are envoys extraordinary of a Head of State to another Head of State. Discussions between a Head of State and an Ambassador therefore represents privileged moments in the diplomatic relations between the two countries and must be treated with utmost confidentiality.
“Concerning the content, the Minister of External Relations refuted Ambassador Barlerin’s totally unfounded allegations concerning the actions of Cameroon’s defence and security forces, who, in spite of almost daily harassment and serious human and national losses, have constantly kept with professionalism and rigour, the rules of engagement and international humanitarian law in a bid to safeguard the lives and freedoms of citizens, as well as peace, stability and the territorial integrity of Cameroon.
“The minister also seizes this opportunity to remind the Ambassador that the Head of State is the guarantor of the stability and constitution of Cameroon. Ambassador Barlerin was called upon to respect the Cameroonian people, notably, their sovereign right to choose their leader, first among whom is the one whose duty it is to rule the country.
“He was reminded that President Biya is not in power by force but has always been elected in all fairness in various presidential elections against numerous and worthy candidates.”