Dialogue Has Never Been Forbidden!

From the onset of socio-political crisis in the North West and South West Regions, the government of Cameroon opted for dialogue as a sure way out of the irksome upheavals. In fact, when members of the English-speaking teachers’ and Common Law Lawyers’ Trade Unions tabled their complaints against insufficiencies in their respective corps, the guarantor of Cameroon’s constitution, the President of the Republic, took measures to bring solutions to the problems raised in line with Republican legality. Even when the situation degenerated to outright violence with separatists questioning one of Cameroon’s hitherto most cherished hallmarks – living together, the Head of State kept on with the view that it is a Cameroonian problem and must be handled by the citizens through brotherly negotiations.
Dialogue With Teachers, Lawyers
During his traditional end-of-year speech on December 31, 2016, Mr Biya said, “…Lasting solutions to problems can be found only through peaceful dialogue. All the voices that spoke have been heard. They have, in many cases, raised substantive issues that cannot be overlooked. I have enjoined the Government to engage in frank dialogue with the various parties concerned to find appropriate solutions to the issues raised. I urge them to participate, without any bias, in the various discussions.”  In effect,    President Paul Biya first ordered the setting up of two inter-ministerial ad hoc committees: One to look into Teachers’ concerns and the other into that of Common Law Lawyers. All were to thoroughly diagnose the problems raised and propose lasting solutions to harness the sectors for the good of all. 
The two committees severally met and separately too in Bamenda (for teachers) and in Buea (for lawyers) and their brainstorming with stakeholders of the concerned sectors came out with wide-ranging proposals to better their proper functioning. Various decisions taken by the Head of State thereafter in line with the committees’ recommendations went beyond the initial grievances. And the Head of State observed in December 2017 that, “Government took many actions following the dialogue, even going beyond the initial demands… I should make it very clear that, to my mind, dialogue has always been and will always remain the best means of resolving problems, so long as it is strictly in line with republican legality.”
Major National Dialogue

Cet article complet est réservé aux abonnés

Déjà abonné ? Identifiez-vous >

Accédez en illimité à Cameroon Tribune Digital à partir de 26250 FCFA

Je M'abonne

1 minute suffit pour vous abonner à Cameroon Tribune Digital !

En savoir plus

• Votre numéro spécial cameroon-tribune en version numérique
• Des encarts
• Des appels d'offres exclusives
• D'avant-première (accès 24h avant la publication)
• Des éditions consultables sur tous supports (smartphone, tablettes, PC)