US Ambassador says there’s no military solution & calls on Cameroon gov’t & separatists to discuss a peaceable solution

4th of July was commemorated by Americans world wide as Independence Day with 2020 marking the 244th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

On the 4th of July, 2020,U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon; Peter Barlerin, released a statement (via an article published on US embassy Cameroon website).

In the article, the chief American diplomat reintegrated that he would be leaving Cameroon as his tenure as Ambassador to Cameroon, ends this month (July, 2020) and thanked president Paul Biya and other entities who helped him to interpret the complexities of Cameroonian history and culture during his 3 yrs stay in Cameroon.

He wrote…

“Many of you are aware that after nearly three years in Cameroon, my tenure as Ambassador ends later this month.

I want to thank everyone, starting with President Paul Biya. My gratitude is also extended to members of the government, starting with the Prime Minister, religious leaders, traditional chiefs, academia, members of the party leader and opposition party leaders, NGOs, and the press, for helping me to interpret the complexities of Cameroonian history and culture.”

Ambassador Peter Barlerin further highlighted his key achievement during his 3 yrs tenure as US Ambassador to Cameroon.

He said..

“For the last few years, the focus of our work at the U.S. embassy has increasingly been on improving the health of every Cameroonian.” He added that since 2018, US has saved hundreds of lives in the fight against malaria, particularly among pregnant women and children in the North and Far North Regions.”

In regards to the conflict in the Northwest and the Southwest, the US Ambassador said he hope the parties can come together soon to discuss a peaceable solution, because there is no military solution.

However he express optimism that the conflict in the North West and South West region will be resolved soon.

He wrote….

“I have the confidence that the Cameroonian people will resolve their differences peaceably, continue to develop, and come to flourish.

We imagine the day when the U.S. Peace Corps volunteers can return to the Northwest and Southwest, as well as to the North and Far North.”

He added that, “this can only be possible if Cameroonians come together to find solutions.”

Below is an excerpt of the Peter Barlerins statement; in which he called on both parties to come together soon to discuss a peaceable solution to the conflict in the two English speaking regions of Cameroon.

He wrote…

“In regards to the conflict in the Northwest and the Southwest, we hope the parties can come together soon to discuss a peaceable solution, because there is no military solution.

We imagine the day when the U.S. Peace Corps volunteers can return to the Northwest and Southwest, as well as to the North and Far North.

All this is possible if Cameroonians come together to find solutions.

Solutions often come from the younger generation. It has been inspiring to meet with U.S. exchange program participants like those benefiting from the Young African Leaders Initiative also known as YALI.

Many of you are aware that after nearly three years in Cameroon, my tenure as Ambassador ends later this month.

I want to thank everyone, starting with President Paul Biya. My gratitude is also extended to members of the government, starting with the Prime Minister, religious leaders, traditional chiefs, academia, members of the party leader and opposition party leaders, NGOs, and the press, for helping me to interpret the complexities of Cameroonian history and culture.

Much is made of the uniqueness of this country. It is true Cameroon is unique, but Cameroon shares many characteristics with other countries. We all have our weaknesses, we all have our deep scars, we all have our great strengths.

I have the confidence that the Cameroonian people will resolve their differences peaceably, continue to develop, and come to flourish.”

The outgoing US Ambassador also regretted that the 2020, independence day was celebrated virtually due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

He wrote…

“This year, like so many other diplomatic missions, we are doing a virtual celebration because of an unwelcome guest, COVID-19. If I were with you in person, I’d be wearing a mask, and maintaining two meters separation.”

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