Response to Anglophone question:

Tumi faults govt’s repressive measures, advocates dialogue, federalism

Cardinal Christian Tumi

Archbishop Emeritus of Douala, Christian Cardinal Tumi has called for renewed, genuine dialogue to resolve the ongoing Anglophone crisis.

                The veteran prelate made the appeal in an interview he granted the Paris-based radio, RFI.

 “Violence and repression cannot solve anything,” Tumi said, wondering whether the tensions will ever subside giving the way things are going. 

                Cardinal Tumi urged government to engage fresh and frank dialogue with the Anglophones because they too are Cameroonians.

                “Everyone has something to say, it’s good to listen to them. Nobody loves this country more than the other. Even though others prefer federalism, which we are talking about, it is good to look at what is better for all. Silencing dissenting voices is not the solution,” Tumi posited, noting that there will always be extremists in any struggle, but “majority of Anglophones prefer federalism and not separation.”

                Contrary to Communication Minister IssaTchiromaBakary who said, no to federalism and no to secession, Tumi was categorical that federalism won’t cause any division in the country. He noted that federalism will not be peculiar to Cameroon as it has succeeded very well in other countries across the world. He noted that the present system breeds unbridled corruption and impunity.

                Reacting to Tumi’s remarks, IssaTchiromaBakary said the Government will not accept anything that has to compromise the form of the state. “No federalism and no secession,” he reiterated.

                He claimed the crackdown on Anglophone agitators, torture on civilians and internet shutdown in the North West and South West Regions were not any form of repression. He said the Cameroon Government, like other Governments in the world used such measures to restore order in the face of “violence,” as “Cameroon is a state of law.”

                It should be recalled in October 2016, Samuel Kleda, Archbishop of Douala and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon called on President Paul Biya to relinquish power before the 2018 Presidential Election is due.

                In making the demand, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Douala, also asserted that a new wind of change that carries with it a revolutionary cleansing flavour will soon   blow over the national territory to bring a change of leadership in the country.