The Head of State, President Paul Biya has suggested that as part of the "grand national dialogue" to resolve the crisis in the north-west and south-west regions of Cameroon, the possibility of a pardon can to be considered, under certain conditions.
This announcement was contained in a 30-minute nationwide message broadcast on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 on national radio and television and on social media platforms.
"Certainly, however, in the context of a dialogue, a peace process or national reconciliation, the possibility of a pardon can be considered, under certain conditions.
It is also true that, in accordance with our Constitution, the Head of State is entitled to exercise the right of pardon. It is also on the basis of this authority that I made an offer of peace to the members of the armed groups during my recent swearing.
I wish to solemnly reiterate this offer today. Those who voluntarily lay down their arms and put themselves at the disposal of the Centers for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) have nothing to fear. Other members of armed groups who are already there can testify. Conversely, those who persist in committing criminal acts and violating the laws of the Republic will have to face our defense and security forces and face the full force of these same laws.
The same is true for the advocates of hatred and violence who, comfortably living in foreign countries with impunity, continue to incite murder and destruction. Tell them that sooner or later they will face justice.
I call on the countries that shelter these extremists to take action against these criminals if they really care about the situation of the people in the North West and South West regions.
Most of them are no longer Cameroonian citizens, but they spend their time raising money to carry out terrorist acts in Cameroon, to organize arson, kidnappings and murders and to launch appeals to prevent children to go to school and their fellow citizens to conduct their activities in peace, "said Paul Biya during his speech.
Mancho Bibixy Tse, Penn Terence, Julius Ayuk Tabe, Cornelius Kwanga, Dr. Egbe Orock, Barrister Eyambe Ebai, Dr. Fidelis Nde Che, Dr. Kimeng Henry, Dr. Nfor Ngala Nfor, Prof. Augustine Awasum, the lawyer Shufai Blaise and Tassang Wilfred as well as other Anglophones tried against the Cameroonian people for secession, terrorism, hostility against the Cameroonian State, revolution and non-possession of their identity card could be forgiven if the dialogue is paying off.
Call for respect for the rule of law
"The propaganda of the secessionists has tried to present the recent judicial decisions taken against a number of our compatriots in the context of this crisis as an obstacle to the dialogue envisaged.
This is not the case. I would also like to take this opportunity to stress that respect for the rule of law and the fight against impunity are pillars in the consolidation of the rule of law that we all aspire to. To violate the rule of law and grant impunity to certain citizens is to open the way to anarchy.
It is therefore crucial, at this stage, to dispel rumors that one can loot, rape, burn, kidnap, maim, murder, in the hope that a possible dialogue will erase all these crimes and ensure impunity for their perpetrators..
As the experience of many countries around the world shows, such thinking will only encourage the perpetuation of violence in regions in crisis and even encourage it in regions without crisis.
"We should all work for a successful dialogue"
The entire national community expects a lot from the dialogue I have just announced and hopes that it will be an opportunity for our brothers and sisters in the North West and South West to close this particularly painful chapter, to forget their suffering and to to find a normal life.
It also hopes that our country will continue resolutely on the path of progress, through fruitful discussions on how to create the conditions conducive to the optimal exploitation of natural resources and the enormous human potential of our country. That is why we must all work for a successful dialogue.
Over the years, we have used our linguistic and cultural diversity, the talent of our sons and daughters, and our commendable efforts and sacrifices to build a strong country and a strong nation. Together, we have faced many challenges and won countless victories.We have proved that there is no difficulty that we can not overcome and no obstacle that we can not overcome. We proved it yesterday. We will prove it again today and tomorrow. The future of our compatriots in the North West and South West regions is in our Republic. "
Source: camerounweb.com