French Minister Visits Buea Amid Insecurity

-Prescribes Property Training for the Youths As Solution to Unemployment and Frustration

By Boris Esono in Buea

French Secretary of State Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne welcomed to  Buea by Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai for a one day visit

The Secretary of State at the French Ministry in charge of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean Baptiste Lemoyne has said that youths need to be empowered with the necessary skills if they must be employed and curb unemployment in the North West and South West Regions. He said a secured job is a guarantee of a better future even in troubled times like the one the two Anglophone regions are going through.

            The Minister was speaking in Buea recently as he met with South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai, and other officials including the Fako SDO, Emmanuel Engamba Ledoux, Buea Mayor Ekema Patrick, local authorities and representatives of civil societies amongst others.

            “The main point is how to assure a bright future for the youths and the future means giving them skills, training and education so that they can find employment….We are working on an action plan because he AFD (Agence Française de Development) is very committed in that regard. Like it is the case in Mambanda for example, we have to increase our programs so as to give concrete answers,” He added

            During the meeting various preoccupations were raised that needed urgent attention. Mayor Ekema Patrick specified that the rebuilding of educational structures that have been damaged during this peak period of crisis, the need for rural roads and health facilities, was primordial.

            Others indicated that building of skills for youths, lack of equipment at universities is also a necessity in the country.

            Before entering the town of Buea, the convoy that carried the French Minister came under fire from unknown gunmen who reports say are linked to the ADF, a group that wants the SW and NW to have autonomy from the rest of Cameroon.

            Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne was on a 2-day visit to Cameroon that spanned from June 28 and 29, 2018.

            According to officials of the French Embassy, the visit false within the framework of the cooperation ties that exist between Cameroon and France.

            Earlier on, the French attaché met with President Paul Biya with whom they discussed the economic and cooperation ties between France and Cameroon as well as regional security issues including the fight against Boko Haram and the situation in the Central African Republic. 

            Since the beginning of the crisis in the English-speaking zone, France has always campaigned for the establishment of a dialogue between the various stakeholders. During a meeting with President Paul Biya on February 23, the French Ambassador to Cameroon, Mr. Gilles Thibault stressed "the need for an in-depth dialogue" between the different parties. "Violence must be absolutely banned," he said.

            With this visit by the French Secretary of State many hope that reforms which will be instituted by the French government will yield positive fruits to bring a lasting solution to the Anglophone crisis.