Kah Walla to Discuss Boko Haram with Cameroonians in Maryland, US

By Innocent Chia - DUNIA, Editor-in-chief - Blog: ChiaReport  Twitter: @innochia

The 2011 Presidential Candidate for the Cameroon People’s Party (CPP), Edith Kah Walla will be in Maryland to discuss the plague of regional insecurity that has claimed several victims, is petrifying population swaths across the region and has caused a recent internal CPDM ruling party fissure between elites of the Lekie Division and those of Northern Region. Billed for Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 03:00 EST PM, attendees of the event at 8710 Cameron St, Silver Spring, MD – 20910 should expect for the President of the CPP to share information about her mid-August solidarity visit to the Northern Region. The visit, scheduled on the heels of the unprecedented hijacking by Boko Haram of the wife of a Senior government official, Cameroon Deputy Prime Minister Ahmadou Ali, and several other victims that were either killed on hijacked, was designed to show support to families, the military on the ground, and local administrators who are in the eyeball of the terrorist group. It can be expected that Kah Walla, seen as opponent of the Biya regime without representation in the national Assembly, will discuss her efficacy in meeting with civic and military leaders who see themselves as ruling at the behest of President Biya for Biya.

(www.Duniamagazine will have a full interview with Kah Walla on this pressing matter).

Following news of the several fatalities and kidnapping of the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister Ahmadou Ali by Boko Haram, Kah Walla and the CPP had put out the following scathing statement demanding for action, accountability and transparency by the Biya regime.

Cameroon People's Party Declaration on the recent attacks in the Far North of Cameroon Douala, July 29, 2014

Following the recent attacks during the night of Saturday to Sunday, July 27, 2014 at Kolofata, the Cameroon People's Party expresses its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and its sympathies to the families whose members were kidnapped.

The CPP calls on the Government of Cameroon to make every effort for the return of these compatriots and to take measures for the definitive safety and security of the population of the Far North, notably those of the Logone and Chari Division.

These attacks oblige us to focus our attention on the security situation in our country, once again. They also beg a number of questions.

ON THE SITUATION OF THE CAMEROONIAN ARMY:

The Government of Cameroon has opted for very sporadic and general communication that does little to inform and reassure Cameroonians. Given the number of our soldiers and our citizens who have lost their lives due to these attacks, it is necessary that the Government provides answers to key questions.

• Has the Government mobilized a sufficient number of troops and equipment that is adequate enough to deal with this type of attack? The information we are receiving from the Logone and Chari suggests an insufficient number of soldiers to deal with the situation and equipment that is insufficient and/or inadequate. For the safety of the soldiers themselves, the citizens of the region and our nation as a whole, it is essential that we put all the resources in place to stop these attacks.

• Are incidents of corruption, indiscipline and lack of patriotism undermining the morale of ground troops? The number of arrests and dismissals suggests that there are serious issues to be dealt with at the level of the leadership of our army. These problems are due to the management of promotions and advancement in the army on grounds other than merit and professionalism. At this time of crisis, it is imperative that the President of the Republic, Commander-in-Chief, takes the necessary measures to restore order and maintain the motivation of ground troops.

THE PERPETRATORS OF THE ATTACKS:

The Government of Cameroon has allowed rumors and counter-rumors to run amok with regard to the identity of the perpetrators of these attacks and their motives.

• Who are the real forces active in the Far North? It is imperative that the Government provide information known-to-date on the perpetrators of these attacks and their motivations. Assumptions and extrapolations that are circulating in the media are destabilizing for the troops and for the population.

• Why is there a lack of clear information on arrested accomplices?

WITH REGARD TO THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE IN THE AFFECTED AREAS:

• Has the Government taken measures for the safety and healthcare as well as material and psycho-social support for people in the affected areas?

• We are receiving reports of hundreds of internally displaced persons. These people are traumatized at several different levels. What services are being provided for their well-being?

• What is the strategy put in place to ensure the recovery of populations following different attacks?

Pending answers to all these questions, the CPP requests that:

THE CAMEROONIAN PEOPLE:

• To stay calm, serene, patriotic and vigilant. It is important to neither embark on unfounded theories, nor to be swept away by emotions or by individuals whose intentions and motivations are unclear. Any person or group requesting the support of the Cameroonian people must clearly demonstrate patriotism and intentions to safeguard the nation and the interests of the people of Cameroon.

• To show solidarity with those in the border communities who are directly affected by these attacks. The lives of all Cameroonians are precious and when one part of our territory is attacked the entire country is concerned.

• To maintain its claims and demands for good governance in Cameroon, particularly as regards: reduction of fuel prices, increase of wages in the public service, increase in the minimum wage, etc..

• Maintain the Tuesdays in Black campaign. More than ever we need to communicate to our Government that we disagree with decisions made without consultation and to our detriment. This is also an act of solidarity with our compatriots from the Far North who are suffering in the most grievous manner the effects of mismanagement by our government.

THE CAMEROONIAN ARMY:

• Remain patriotic, courageous and determined. You are demonstrating your love for Cameroon in your willingness to make the ultimate sacrifices for our nation. We ask you to continue in your determination with your sole motivation being the well-being of the Cameroonian Nation.

• Demonstrate professionalism and discernment. We recognize the difficulty of your task and the strong emotions that can be overwhelming at times like these. You are at the forefront to protect and not to terrorize the population. Violence should only be used against those who are trying to perpetrate it against us, the people. It is important that you use your talents and skills to protect your fellow Cameroonians and not to oppress them in any way.

THE GOVERNMENT OF CAMEROON:

• Respond with immediacy to the various questions formulated above.

• Take all necessary measures to equip and provide necessary supplies to our soldiers.

• Take all the measures necessary for the protection of our compatriots in high-risk areas.

• Take all necessary measures to put an end to these attacks on our people.

• Communicate regularly and systematically on the evolution of the security situation.

• Adopt a grassroots communication strategy towards affected populations in order to better manage the trauma with they may have undergone and build collaborative networks with the people.

• To establish a truly sustainable security strategy that comprehensively covers the three regions where our citizens are experiencing violence (South-West, East, Far North).

• Implement a humanitarian response to cope with the influx of refugees and the large number of internally displaced persons. To provide these groups with services for the various acute problems (health, nutrition, psycho-social crises) they may be facing.

• Implement an integrated development strategy that is the definitive solution to the vulnerability of our people in the face of different types of attacks.

The CPP is committed to acting alongside all the forces working to safeguard the integrity of our territory, its people and their goods. In this year marking the centenary of the assassination of the martyrs of nationalist resistance (1914 - 2014), CPP calls on each Cameroonian to demonstrate patriotism and an unwavering commitment to the dream of our heroes and heroines of yesterday. It is our obligation to bring this dream to fruition.

For the Cameroon People's Party,

Kah Walla National President.