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US Congress Delegation Calls for Talks with Rebels in Cameroon

Moki Edwin Kindzeka

   YAOUNDE - A United States Congressional delegation visiting Cameroon
   has called for unconditional talks between the government and rebels on
   the country's separatist conflict. The two-year struggle, in which
   Cameroon's English-speaking western regions have fought to separate
   from the French-speaking government, has killed close to 2,000 people
   and displaced hundreds of thousands. But the government says it will
   not engage in any talks with the rebels that includes the issue of
   separation from Cameroon.
   California Congresswoman Karen Bass told journalists in Cameroon late
   Monday that the government and rebels should respect human rights, end
   all violence, and begin talks on the separatist conflict.

   "We especially want to see a peaceful dialogue, a peaceful resolution
   without conditions. We want to see all sides come to the table. We
   recently passed a resolution in Congress saying this and we wanted to
   come and see first-hand what is happening in the country," she said.
   Bass made the comments after meeting with refugees and displaced people
   from the conflict in Cameroon's English-speaking western regions as
   well as government ministers.
   She is leading a seven-member Congressional delegation to Cameroon with
   a focus on health and human rights issues.

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