Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Cameroon; and what representations his Department is making to the Cameroon Government on those matters.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
We remain deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in the Anglophone regions, which continue to suffer from high levels of violence and human rights abuses perpetrated by both security forces and armed separatists. The British Government calls on the Government of Cameroon to take urgent action now to address the crisis in the Anglophone regions. We hope that President Biya will reach out to all sections of Cameroonian society and work to build confidence and trust. It is crucial for all parties to engage in a peaceful and structured process leading to constitutional reforms, as previously set out by the President, and avoid excessive use of force. The UK will continue to work alongside the international community to encourage and support efforts to resolve the Anglophone crisis. It is vital that all parties now work together to secure a peaceful future for all Cameroonians.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last called in the High Commissioner for the Cameroon to discuss the crisis in English speaking Cameroon.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Cameroonian Chargé d'Affaires last visited the Foreign and Commonwealth Office accompanying a delegation of senior Cameroonian Government officials, on 3 May 2018. The Chargé d'Affaires and the delegation met the Minister for Africa and discussed the ongoing crisis in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, and a range of wider bilateral issues. We continue to make our concerns on the situation in the Anglophone regions known to the Cameroonian authorities.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the comments of the United States Ambassador to the Cameroon that there have been "targeted killings" in its English speaking regions.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the statement made by the US Ambassador to Cameroon, Peter Barlerin and are deeply concerned at the worsening situation in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon. We continue to monitor the situation closely and make clear our concerns to the Cameroonian authiorities.
In his meeting with Cameroonian Prime Minister Yang during CHOGM, the Foreign Secretary pressed for urgent action to resolve the dispute and associated violence, and the release of detainees. The Minister for Africa also delivered the same message to Commonwealth Minister Mbayu when she met him in London.
Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the clashes between demonstrators and security forces in the Southern regions of Cameroon since secessionist groups declared the independence of the region on 1 October 2017.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
The ongoing dispute and clashes in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon are deeply concerning. The Cameroonian authorities need to take urgent steps to de-escalate current tensions and to establish a meaningful process of dialogue to address the root causes. During my visit in February to Cameroon, I met with the Prime Minister and the Ministers of External Relations, Territorial Administration, and Defence where he discussed the ongoing tensions in Cameroon's Anglophone regions. The Foreign Secretary met the Cameroonian Prime Minister during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and pressed for urgent action to resolve the dispute and associated violence. I also delivered the same message to Commonwealth Minister Mbayu when I met him here in London.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Cameroonian counterpart on steps to permit international agency access to Anglophone separatist leaders extradited from Nigeria.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
During my visit to Cameroon in February, I pressed the Prime Minister and the Government of Cameroon to allow access by an independent and reputable agency such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) or the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to all detainees, including those extradited from Nigeria. The Foreign Secretary and I also pressed for access during bilateral meetings at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting with the Cameroonian Prime Minister and Commonwealth Minister respectively. I further pressed for access with the Secretary General to the President when he visited London and also in a letter to President Biya following my visit. More recently, a statement was made by the UK at the UNHCHR in Geneva. We continue to engage with the Government of Cameroon at Ministerial and official levels for access to be granted.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Cameroon to (1) end its military response to protests in Cameroon’s South West and North West regions, and (2) open a dialogue with Anglophone community to agree constitutional arrangements conducive to peace and stability.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
During her visit in February to Cameroon the Minister for Africa (Mrs Baldwin) met with the Prime Minister and the Ministers of External Relations, Territorial Administration, and Defence where they discussed the ongoing tensions in Cameroon's Anglophone regions. She reinforced the importance of respecting human rights in a challenging security environment. She also met with a range of Anglophone leaders to hear their concerns and throughout her visit stressed the need for peaceful, inclusive and purposeful dialogue. She has also written to President Biya and met with his Secretary General to urge dialogue.
The Foreign Secretary met the Cameroonian Prime Minister during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and pressed for urgent action to resolve the dispute and associated violence. We continue to monitor the situation and engage constructively with both sides.
Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 1 May (HL6988), in which they state that their policy towards preventing mass atrocities and promoting prevention and peace building activity “begins with actively looking out for countries with signs of instability, to reduce the risks of violence, promote good governance, support the rule of law, building inclusive societies, and enabling effective judicial and security sector reform” what progress they are making to assist reducing tensions in Cameroon.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The British Government remains concerned by the situation in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon. We are keen to see the violence stop, political prisoners released, and creation of a meaningful process of national dialogue to address the core issues.
During the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the Foreign Secretary met Prime Minister Yang, and the Minister for Africa met Commonwealth Minister Mbayu. Both pressed for action to resolve the dispute, making clear that the UK stands ready to help. The Minister for Africa pressed these points again when she met the Secretary General of the Presidency on Thursday 3 May. President Biya has committed to dialogue. The British Government believes a meaningful, inclusive process must start swiftly.
We will continue to engage with the Government of Cameroon and underline that all parties have a responsibility to work for peace and stability and to use legal and peaceful means to voice grievances.
Asked by: Victoria Prentis (Conservative - Banbury)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Cameroon; and what steps his Department is taking to help protect human rights in that country.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
During my visit to Cameroon from 12 to 14 February, I held talks with The Prime Minister, and the Ministers of External Relations, Territorial Administration, and Defence. I discussed the threat posed by Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin, as well as the ongoing tensions in Cameroon's Anglophone regions where the importance of respecting human rights was reinforced. I urged the Government of Cameroon to pursue an inclusive and purposeful dialogue to address Anglophone grievances, and also met a range of Anglophone leaders in Buea, to hear their concerns.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the circumstances surrounding the arrest of 11 Cameroonian politicians at a meeting in Abuja on 5 January; what information they have about Cameroonian secessionist leaders either detained in Nigeria or transferred into the custody of the Cameroonian authorities; whether they have urged the Nigerian and Cameroonian authorities to make clear where the Ambazonian independence leaders are; whether they have any information as to whether those individuals have been charged with a crime, and if so, why; and whether they intend to take steps to establish the whereabouts of those individuals.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Eleven Cameroonians were detained in Abuja on 5 January and returned to Cameroon on 24 January. The Government of Cameroon's Information Minister has publicly confirmed that they have been detained and are awaiting trial but he did not specify the charges. The decisions to detain and extradite these individuals is a matter for the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Cameroon.
Minister Baldwin raised our concerns about the situation in the Anglophone regions with Prime Minister Yang and other Cameroonian Ministers on 13 February. We will continue to engage the Government of Cameroon and opposition groups to reiterate the need to exercise restraint, enter into purposeful and inclusive dialogue and take action to reduce tensions.
We welcome their assurance that the detainees are being held in good conditions and urged them to allow access by an independent organisation.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the recent political instability in western Cameroon; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The Government is deeply concerned to hear reports of deaths and injuries in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon. There have been fatalities on both sides; a number of security forces personnel have been killed by protestors, and Amnesty International reported that 17 civilians were killed by security forces in October. There have been fewer reports of clashes recently and a heavy security presence remains in many Anglophone areas. The British High Commissioner in Yaoundé has raised our concerns about the situation in the Anglophone region, including the Government of Cameroon's obligations under international law in respect to human rights, with Prime Minister Philemon Yang on 22 November. In these and several other recent meetings with Cameroonian Ministers, he called on the Cameroonian Government to exercise restraint, enter into purposeful and inclusive dialogue and to take action to reduce tensions.