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Cameroon Opens Dialogue on Separatist Violence in English-Speaking Regions

Moki Edwin Kindzeka

   YAOUNDE - Weeklong talks on the separatist crisis facing Cameroon's
   English-speaking regions opened Monday in the capital, Yaounde.
   President Paul Biya called for the national dialogue to resolve the
   crisis that has left at least 2,000 people dead in the past two years.

   Yannick Kawa Kawa, 29, a spokesperson for former separatist fighters,
   says he sought forgiveness and asked to be a part of the dialogue
   because he thinks Cameroon can still solve its problems, especially
   that of the French domination of English speakers that caused the
   crisis.

   "There are companies located around our areas [English-speaking
   regions] but most of those companies are run by French-speaking
   Cameroonians," he said. "We in our own areas do not have the
   opportunity to work in those companies. Almost all the administrators
   are French-speaking Cameroonians. Why were we treated that way? Those
   are the reasons why we picked up guns to fight against our government."

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