Invited by French journalist Christophe Boisbouvier on RFI on 22 January, Cardinal Christian Tumi called on the power of Yaoundé urgently to open a dialogue in the perspective of finding solutions to the crisis that weakens the English-speaking regions of Cameroon November 2016
RFI: Do you understand the discomfort in Anglophone zone?Monsignor Christian Tumi: I am trying to understand what is happening because I spent almost thirty years of my life as a priest and bishop in French-speaking Cameroon and I come from English-speaking Cameroon. I try to understand both sides.
It is now the youth, who were not yet sensitized to reunification, began to protest about the working conditions, the conditions of living together, and they want us to go back to where we were at the beginning of the reunification. that is to federalism. The central power does not want that anymore. So this is where we are and there is tension, tension ...
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| English-Speaking Areas: Cardinal Tumi Still Defies Biya's Power |
This problem, this discomfort is very deep, very anchored. Why is there this crisis today?
It would seem from the point of view of lawyers, English-speaking lawyers, that Commun Law is not applied. For example, in English-speaking Cameroon, we can have judges who do not know English and who make their judgment in French.
It would seem from the point of view of lawyers, English-speaking lawyers, that Commun Law is not applied. For example, in English-speaking Cameroon, we can have judges who do not know English and who make their judgment in French.
People do not understand anything. Take for example where I am, the prefect, the sous-préfet and the first assistant are all francophones, in a region that is 99% populated by anglophones.
It's the same at school?
Not everything is in French, but for example, there are teachers from French-speaking Cameroon who teach in English-speaking Cameroon, without having a mastery of English; and vice versa too. They say we need to reform the education system.
Yaoundé's answer, is it firmness?
Too bad. I am against any prohibition. Everyone has something to say, you have to listen to them. There is no one who loves this country more than others, among Cameroonians. Even if others prefer a federalism, let's talk about it, to see what's best for everyone.
It's the same at school?
Not everything is in French, but for example, there are teachers from French-speaking Cameroon who teach in English-speaking Cameroon, without having a mastery of English; and vice versa too. They say we need to reform the education system.
Yaoundé's answer, is it firmness?
Too bad. I am against any prohibition. Everyone has something to say, you have to listen to them. There is no one who loves this country more than others, among Cameroonians. Even if others prefer a federalism, let's talk about it, to see what's best for everyone.
When we repress, it is not a solution. We must try to convince them, even if there is the core that goes to the extreme to demand total separation. Extremists, there will always be. But the majority of anglophones want us to go where we were, that is, federalism. They do not want separation, not at all.
"Neither federalism nor secession," said Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the government spokesman.
The central authority of Cameroon says "Cameroon remains one and indivisible", but the argument of the English speakers is separation, which is a division, federalism is not a division of a country. The current system is showing its flaws, in terms of corruptions, everywhere. The current system is not the only one either. We see examples in the world where federated states are walking, making good progress.
An unusual fact, even the African Union is worried about the situation?
Are you worried right now about the turn of events? We are very worried because they are so convinced. We will live under tension until when? There has to be a dialogue because anglophones are also Cameroonians. With violence, we do not build anything, nothing. English-Speaking Areas: Cardinal Tumi Still Defies Biya's Power
"Neither federalism nor secession," said Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the government spokesman.
The central authority of Cameroon says "Cameroon remains one and indivisible", but the argument of the English speakers is separation, which is a division, federalism is not a division of a country. The current system is showing its flaws, in terms of corruptions, everywhere. The current system is not the only one either. We see examples in the world where federated states are walking, making good progress.
An unusual fact, even the African Union is worried about the situation?
Are you worried right now about the turn of events? We are very worried because they are so convinced. We will live under tension until when? There has to be a dialogue because anglophones are also Cameroonians. With violence, we do not build anything, nothing. English-Speaking Areas: Cardinal Tumi Still Defies Biya's Power
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