Playing Lazarus?

USA issues weak statement about killings in Cameroon

Commentators have described a “Press Statement” of the US Department of State about recent killings in Anglophone Cameroon, as ‘weak and tepid’. The commentators are asking if the USA wants Cameroon to go up in flames before she sees the need to step in and stop the authorities from visiting mayhem on innocent civilians.

                To Ekinneh Agbaw-Ebai, a Cameroonian based in the USA, the US should take its action beyond just making observation.

                “Why should the USA intervene and send its troops to protect citizens of other countries with similar problems like Cameroon, but will only pay lip service about the killings in Cameroon,” Wondered Ekinneh.

                The press statement issued on 4 October by the spokesman for the US Department of State, Heather Nauert, said the following about the violence in Cameroon:

                “The United States is deeply concerned about violence and the loss of human life in protests that have taken place in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon since 1st October. The Cameroonian government’s use of force to restrict free expression and peaceful assembly, and violence by protesters, are unacceptable. We urge the government of Cameroon to respect human rights and freedom of expression, including access to internet. We call on all sides to exercise restraint from further violence, and engage in dialogue for a peaceful, durable resolution of the crisis.”