Outgoing EU Ambassador dissects Cameroon in exclusive interview.

The outgoing Ambassador, Head of the European Union Delegation to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, H.E Philippe Van Damme, has dissected the curent situation in Cameroon, making startling revelations on some burning state issues. 

This was in an exclusive interview granted The Guardian Post. H.E Philippe Van Damme, in the explosive interview, zooms on strides made in bringing fresh impetus to relations between Cameroon and the EU and other burning national issues in Cameroon. 

He also urged the Yaounde regime to stop seeing critical voices in the country as undermining the state and political adversaries as enemies and rather multiply platforms of dialogue and consultation, to promote the richness and diversity of the country.

The diplomat reiterated that the solution to the ongoing conflict in the North West and South West Regions cannot be military alone but for Cameroonians to continue seeking a political solution and for Yaounde to file formal complaints through the Cameroonian embassies against those residing in EU countries but causing trouble back home.

He was categorical that the EU cannot move ahead faster in supporting the reconstruction plan for the North West and South West Regions. He however said they are ready to accompany it at the speed stakeholders have decided. 

The EU Ambassador was also clear that its member States do not promote homosexuality or any other way of living, but defend the fundamental principle, also enshrined in Cameroon’s Constitution. 

He was interviewed by Doh Bertrand Nua. Full excerpts below 

Thank you for accepting to talk to us. What new impetus have you brought to existing relations between Cameroon and the EU as you end your tenure in office?

The international context has been particularly difficult over recent years. But we showed consistently our solidarity with Cameroon and Africa more broadly, by mobilising support in the fight against COVID-19 and in response to the food insecurity resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its outrageous attempts to block grain exports from Ukraine.

Beyond these punctual actions, we also signed a new multi-annual indicative programme 2021-2024 with the Government and continued to strengthen our partnership with the country though multiple initiatives.

Concretely, what is the content of this multi-year program?

It is centred around 3 main entry points: (i) peace & security, institutional governance and human rights, (ii) economic growth and decent job creation, and (iii) sustainable development and resilience to climate change. 

These three axes of intervention are aligned on the SND30 and are mutually reinforcing: no sustainable development without peace, no peace without sustainable development and job creation, providing a future to jobless youth, and no sustainable growth without a transparent and sustainable management of the natural resources Cameroon is endowed with. And of course, peace and economic development go hand in hand with the respect for the rule of law and the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution. But beyond the substance of what we are doing, the way we do it is changing as well.

Indeed, we hear you, more and more, talking about Team-Europe...

Yes, it is not an entirely new approach of course, but we want to apply it in a more systematic way. It's about working jointly with all the EU member States represented in Cameroon, to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of our actions by pooling together our resources.

Similarly we have also intensified our political dialogue with the Government, in #TeamEurope format. For this, we have set up technical working groups to clarify the framework of our partnership and further deepen our collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Cameroon is currently plagued by armed conflict in its North West and South West regions. What is the position of the EU on this crisis that has been shaking the country’s foundation of unity, in terms of efforts for the current unrest to be resolved?

After having spoken to many actors on different sides, I have the impression that there is a very broad consensus today to state that the solution cannot be military alone. The Cameroonians therefore have to continue seeking a political solution. And that implies pursuing the political dialogue, in the interest of the people for which everybody claims to be fighting. The people are tired, they want peace, schools, jobs and prosperity. Every serious person with the ambition or the pretention to represent the people must put the search for peace and reconciliation as their first priority. 

The Grand National Dialogue has opened some perspectives, including commitments toward decentralisation and a Special Status for the NW/SW regions, but also the promotion of a more inclusive society through the promotion of bilingualism and multiculturalism, essential elements of nation building in a country with such a richness of cultural diversity. 

Many people perceive the implementation of those commitments as too slow. May be the Government could launch a review of the achievements so far and develop a roadmap for the full and effective implementation of the decentralisation process through an inclusive process of consultation of the various actors in the field, including the regional and local authorities, and engage with them to see how to accelerate that process. 

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