Walla counsels gov't on how to fight Boko Haram

The Cameroon People’s Party, CPP, has forwarded a 12 point recommendation to the Head of State, Paul Biya, on how to manage the crisis in the Far North Region, especially the war against the Islamic extremist sect, Boko Haram.

The recommendations were presented to the media in Douala on January 23, by the National President of CPP, Edith Kahbang Walla.

It should be recalled that Kah Walla led a delegation on a “Solidarity Tour” to the Far North Region last August before coming out with the recommendations.

The CPP recommendations are categorised in four and it emphasized on President Biya to take appropriate measures to provide Cameroonians with credible information related to the war, create national synergy and consensus, take regional leadership in the war against Boko Haram, and ensure that the nation pays homage to fallen soldiers in the war.

On the aspect of information, the CPP insists on the rights of Cameroonians to precise, viable, and objective information on the war, except on issues related to military strategies or State security.

“To support something, you must understand it,” the CPP asserted. The party says Government needs to keep Cameroonians informed on the detailed and holistic strategy, how much the war is costing the nation and the source of financing, the total number of casualties on the Cameroonian side and how many Cameroonians are taken hostage amongst others.

“We (Cameroonians), must demand information from our Government. This is not their war. It concerns all Cameroonians,” partly read the recommendations.

Biya Should Address National Assembly On the aspect of creating national synergy and consensus, the CPP strongly recommend that President Biya goes to the March Session of Parliament, and addresses the people’s representatives, presenting the strategy on the war against Boko Haram and the situation.

The party is also recommending that Biya and his Government should meet with key actors in the society, especially leaders of religious organisations, civil society and opposition political parties.

“There is need to hold a working session and an in-depth discussion, in a bid to build the consensus needed to fight Boko Haram.”

CPP is also demanding that the civil society be charged with setting up a permanent committee with these actors, including local Government officials in the Far North Region.

The CPP has also urged Biya to travel to the Far North Region to meet with the local population, especially the several families that are victims of war, console and comfort them and reassure them with regard to the strategies being implemented to ensure their wellbeing and their future.

This, the party said, would be one of the ways to pay homage to the victims of the unfortunate situation.

As for the fallen soldiers, the CPP is recommending that the Biya Government should institute a national ceremony for the nation to pay tribute to the fallen heroes.

“The Government should also ensure that the families of those soldiers unfortunately killed or wounded on the battlefield, receive the comprehensive package that are due to ensure the wellbeing of their families”.

The CPP is also urging Biya to take a leadership role in the fight against terrorism in the Far North Region and to convene a Heads of States’ Summit to hold in Cameroon.

The party says, by this, Biya and his colleagues will also be sending a message to the populations of all these countries that their lives are important enough for their Heads of State to meet, discuss and define joint solutions to the crisis.

While welcoming the idea that countries of the region should come to Cameroon’s assistance in the fight against terrorism, the CPP, however, cautioned Biya to take some precautionary measures to ensure that “leadership and control of all military actions stay in Cameroonian hands.”

The party is also calling on the Government to ensure that the Cameroon armed forces, as well as soldiers from other countries that are on Cameroonian territory, scrupulously respect the human rights of Cameroonians.

The CPP also suggests that the strategy that the Cameroon Government should adopt to win the war against Boko Haram must be one that is holistic and complete. The strategy must include “military, diplomatic, humanitarian, as well as economic and social development components.”

Balancing The Nigerian Equation

The CPP minced no words in criticising the way the Nigerian Government has been handling the fight against Boko Haram.

“The cooperation between Cameroon and Nigeria is ineffective to date. Given Nigeria’s financial and military resources, their response to Boko Haram threat to date is inadequate and unacceptable,” the CPP declared in the presentation.

The CPP also expressed the conviction that for Cameroon and other allies to win the war against Boko Haram, the Nigerian equation must be solved.

“To quicken the victory against the enemy and ensure sustainable peace, Nigeria is crucial. Cameroon must use every form and level of pressure to stimulate a Nigerian response and Nigerian cooperation in an appropriate manner.”