Harriett Baldwin, Minister for Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development, says dialogue is the only way out of the Cameroon escalating Anglophone crisis. Meeting with senior members of the Cameroonian Government, traditional rulers, human rights groups, and members of civil society organisations, she encouraged restraint and for a de-escalation of current tensions. On the situation in the Anglophone regions, Minister Baldwin said: “as a long-standing friend and Commonwealth partner, the UK wants to see urgent steps taken on all sides to de-escalate current tensions. To her, President Biya’s announcement in his New Year speech of steps to rebuild trust, resume dialogue, and allow decentralisation are a welcome start – but only a start. During her visit to Cameroon, the Minister discussed issues around democracy, security, prosperity and human rights in meetings with Prime Minister Philemon Yang and other senior ministers, as well as with representatives from Cameroonian and UK businesses and civil society organisations.

Source: Cameroon Daily Journal February 16, 2018 10:07 UTC