Country: Commonwealth of

Australia

Committee: Security Council

Topic: The Anglophone Crisis

Name: Chaido Eirini Katsanou

The Cameroonian civil war, rooted in the Anglophone-Francophone divide, stands as

a grave threat to national unity, leading to widespread suffering and human rights
abuses. This delegation aims to articulate a clear stance on the issue and propose
actionable solutions to promote peace and stability in Cameroon.

The conflict began in 2016 when English-speaking activists, feeling marginalized by

the dominance of French in politics, initiated protests. The government's response,
marked by violence and human rights violations, escalated tensions, creating a vicious
cycle of atrocities. The ongoing crisis has resulted in the closure of schools,
displacement of citizens, and a dire humanitarian situation.

France, the US, China, Germany, Russia, Canada, and Nigeria have played varying
roles, providing military assistance, humanitarian aid, and shelter for refugees.
However, the impact of these interventions is mixed, and some have been suspended
due to human rights concerns.

“Australia recommends Cameroon lift unnecessary restrictions on freedom of

assembly, investigate the alleged use of force in demonstrations, and ensure arrested
protestors receive fair trials” are the exact words of Australian diplomat Alexander
Chapman assessing the matter. After the Commonwealth games in 2018, when a
group of athletes refused to return to Cameroon from Australia, the country has not
been further involved in the conflict. Australia acknowledges the human rights
violations in Cameroon and recommends lifting unnecessary restrictions on freedom
of assembly. However, concrete actions have not been taken, reflecting a stance of
awaiting internal policy changes in Cameroon.
The proposals for solutions for the conflict could be various, but only a few could be
considered efficient. Firstly, it would be appropriate for France to recall the military
assistance in Cameroon. The continuation of violence does not lead to prosperity and
any form of it should be condemned. Furthermore, Cameroon is a country with plenty
of resources to protect it citizens but it does not possess the necessary financial
resources to exploit them. Consequently, any form of financial support, through
economic partnership even, could make the difference in the Cameroonians’ lives.
Moreover, the Cameroonian government should be comprised of a mandatory
percentage of Francophones and Anglophone for both sides to be represented.

These proposed solutions aim to address the root causes of the conflict and provide
tangible support to the people of Cameroon. Withdrawal of military assistance,
fostering dialogue and mandatory percentage of Anglophones in the government align
with principles of conflict resolution, while financial aid directly tackles the pressing
needs of the affected population.

Australia must take a proactive stance in addressing the Cameroonian civil war,
recognizing the urgency and gravity of the situation. By advocating for withdrawal of
military support, obligatory participation of Anglophones and Francophones in the
governmental decisions, financial aid, and supporting refugees, Australia can
contribute meaningfully to international efforts to bring peace, stability, and respect
for human rights in Cameroon. The time for action is now.