UNITED NATIONS, June 6 – Amid the worsening crackdown by the army of 36-year Cameroon president Paul Biya in the country's Anglophone areas, in April a video circulated depicting soldiers burning down homes. Click here for one upload of it. Noted by many residents and activists: blue helmet of the type used by UN peacekeepers. On April 30 Inner City Press asked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric about the video, the day after publishing a story about it, in Google News. April 30 Q&A video here; transcript below. On June 1, the UN's "Peacekeepers' Day," Guterres handed an award to Cameroon's Ambassador in a ceremony Inner City Press was told it could not enter, while state media from Morocco and other countries were allowed in. Tweet here. Two hours later the head of UN Peacekeeping held a press conference. Inner City Press asked him about the lack of vetting of troops from Sri Lanka and Cameroon. He answered on Sri Lanka - while entirely ignoring Inner City Press' question about Cameroon. Video here. This is today's UN of Antonio Guterres. On June 4, Inner City Press asked Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric, video here, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: on Cameroon, the… the… the… you'd said last week — and thanks for the statement — that the country team was asking about things in Menka and… and arrests. You… I looked at it. I thought I'd missed it. I think you just said, we take note of the sentencing for 15 years. Today, there's five more people being put up to sentencing, including a woman, her alleged crime was filming in a prison. In taking note of these sentences, does that mean there's something wrong with sentencing someone to jail for filming? And, number two, has there been any response by the Government to these [inaudible]…
Spokesman: I'll check with our team. I don't have anything else." Two days later, nothing. So on June 6 Inner City Press asked him, video here, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: I did want to ask you about Cameroon. I'd asked you two days ago, and you'd said that you'd check what the country team have held… heard back from the Government and also about the people now facing terrorism charges for… for following in a jail…?
Spokesman: We're following these developments. I'm not able to share with you what the country team heard back.
Inner City Press: Has the Secretary-General received a letter from Akere Muna, a presidential candidate in the upcoming election, and what is the response?
Spokesman: I'm not aware that he has, but we will check." Again, five hours later, nothing. Dujarric also got a petition about his continued restrictions on the Press, nothing. This is today's UN. Amid the killings in Menka - Santa, a 15 year sentence imposed on Mancho Bibixi for "acts of terrorism, hostility against the homeland, secession, revolution and insurrection." Whose homeland? From the UN, which put a cap on questions on May 25 while Antonio Guterres once again on the road, absolutely nothing. Dead silence. On May 29, Inner City Press asked Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric, video here, UN transcript here: and below. On May 30, Dujarric waited until the day's noon briefing to read out this answer, after which Inner City Press asked if UN will make Biya government's explanation of Menka if any public, and if UN's Francois Lounceny Fall is involved. No; video here. Dujarric for the UN read out: "I have been asked about the violence in the Anglophone region of Cameroon in recent days, and I can say that we are aware of the clashes between the Cameroonian armed forces and unidentified armed men in the town of Menka, in the North-West Anglophone region of Cameroon, on 24 May. We express our condolences to the families of the victims. The United Nations country team is in contact with the authorities to clarify the circumstances of the incident.
We call for an end to acts of violence in the Anglophone regions of the country and urge all Cameroonians to work together on an open and inclusive dialogue to address the concerns of the population in those regions. We also call on the Government to use restraint in the use force and follow due process for those who are arrested.
In this regard, we are aware of the sentencing on 28 May of seven Anglophone activists for up to 15 years by a military court in Yaoundé for rebellion and acts of terrorism." It wasn't May 28 - Inner City Press asked if it was a typo, no answer. From the May 29 transcript: Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you a follow-up on your Cameroon north-west and south-west announcement. Just before the weekend, so Thursday or Friday, there were several dozen people killed in some villages called Menka and Santa. The pictures were… are all over the Internet, including bodies being rolled into a mass grave. I'm just wondering what is the relation between this? Does the country team, are they unaware of these reported…?
Spokesman: I think they are aware of these reports. It's not areas to which they have access to. Obviously, the continuing violence in the situation in those areas has created more displaced people. I will get our guest who sounds like he is already having a good time." Yeah, a good time. On May 21 Inner City Press asked UK Deputy UN Ambassador Jonathan Allen when his Mission will at least request a briefing in the UN Security Council about Cameroon, given the targeted killings and the questions put to UK Minister for Africa Harriet Baldwin in the House of Commons and her answer. According to the UK transcript, Inner City Press asked, "One question on Cameroon: There was a national day held. Many people didn't participate or were forced to participate. And I know that Harriet Baldwin was asked in the House of Commons about it. Does the UK intend at any point to request a briefing under any other business or otherwise at the UN in the Security Council on targeted killings?" Ambassador Allen replied to Inner City Press, "We are talking to the government of Cameroon, of course. And we are discussing with our colleagues, including here, the situation that is going on over there. At this stage we haven't made any request to put it on the Security Council agenda. We keep it under review." Video here. Under review for how long, amid burning and looting of villages? Now to the criticism of summary executions, there's an attempt to stir up - or find - supporters of Paul Biya. In this sample TV clip, it is asked rhetorically, Where is civil society? Where are the political parties? Where are the intellectuals? Maybe support for Paul Biya is not what he thinks. As to the claim Cameroon will never be DRC, Libya, CAR or Cote d'Ivoire, it is understandable that like North Korea's Kim, Biya would not want to go the way of Gaddafi. But is the argument that Cote d'Ivoire is a colony? Any more than Cameroon? We'll have more on this. On May 20 Paul Biya had Nigerian soldiers parade before him in Yaounde. Nigerian Lieutenant Colonel Mochtar Sani Daroda said the troops were requested by Biya to participate. Meanwhile in Bamenda, University students were forced by Biya's official to parade the penalty of expulsion. It was no celebration in, for example, Bangem, Kupe Muanenguba, Konye, Batibo and Ekona. Last week US Ambassador Peter Henry Barlerin not only noted the government's targeted killings but also how long Biya has been in power - more than thirty years - and "suggested to the President that he should be thinking about his legacy and how he wants to be remembered in the history books to be read by generations to come, and proposed that George Washington and Nelson Mandela were excellent models." Biya's spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary has fired back from Libreville: "We do not accept the infantilization of the Cameroonian nation. It is with full knowledge of the facts that they put their ballot in the ballot box." Infantilization? For an 85-year old ruler for 35-years? Some National Day. We have see the ghost towns. On May 16, the Governor of Cameroon's North-West Region issued an order "advising" Anglophone residents to remain indoors or relocate for their own safety from May 18 to at least the dubious May 20 "nation day." But France, the sponsor and protector of all this killing, issued a congratulations, from ostensibly post FrancAfrique president Emmanuel Macron. He urged “strict respect for the unity” of Cameroon, in a congratulatory letter to Biya. Unlike others who acknowledged the undeniable, Biya's targeted killings and burning of villages, Macron denounced “crimes targeting representatives of the state” - like those who engage in torture, even on video. Macron wrote that “Cameroon is a key partner for France, and I hope that our relations will be even stronger in the future." Macron supported the killing just as he accuses others of.
Spokesman: I'll check with our team. I don't have anything else." Two days later, nothing. So on June 6 Inner City Press asked him, video here, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: I did want to ask you about Cameroon. I'd asked you two days ago, and you'd said that you'd check what the country team have held… heard back from the Government and also about the people now facing terrorism charges for… for following in a jail…?
Spokesman: We're following these developments. I'm not able to share with you what the country team heard back.
Inner City Press: Has the Secretary-General received a letter from Akere Muna, a presidential candidate in the upcoming election, and what is the response?
Spokesman: I'm not aware that he has, but we will check." Again, five hours later, nothing. Dujarric also got a petition about his continued restrictions on the Press, nothing. This is today's UN. Amid the killings in Menka - Santa, a 15 year sentence imposed on Mancho Bibixi for "acts of terrorism, hostility against the homeland, secession, revolution and insurrection." Whose homeland? From the UN, which put a cap on questions on May 25 while Antonio Guterres once again on the road, absolutely nothing. Dead silence. On May 29, Inner City Press asked Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric, video here, UN transcript here: and below. On May 30, Dujarric waited until the day's noon briefing to read out this answer, after which Inner City Press asked if UN will make Biya government's explanation of Menka if any public, and if UN's Francois Lounceny Fall is involved. No; video here. Dujarric for the UN read out: "I have been asked about the violence in the Anglophone region of Cameroon in recent days, and I can say that we are aware of the clashes between the Cameroonian armed forces and unidentified armed men in the town of Menka, in the North-West Anglophone region of Cameroon, on 24 May. We express our condolences to the families of the victims. The United Nations country team is in contact with the authorities to clarify the circumstances of the incident.
We call for an end to acts of violence in the Anglophone regions of the country and urge all Cameroonians to work together on an open and inclusive dialogue to address the concerns of the population in those regions. We also call on the Government to use restraint in the use force and follow due process for those who are arrested.
In this regard, we are aware of the sentencing on 28 May of seven Anglophone activists for up to 15 years by a military court in Yaoundé for rebellion and acts of terrorism." It wasn't May 28 - Inner City Press asked if it was a typo, no answer. From the May 29 transcript: Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you a follow-up on your Cameroon north-west and south-west announcement. Just before the weekend, so Thursday or Friday, there were several dozen people killed in some villages called Menka and Santa. The pictures were… are all over the Internet, including bodies being rolled into a mass grave. I'm just wondering what is the relation between this? Does the country team, are they unaware of these reported…?
Spokesman: I think they are aware of these reports. It's not areas to which they have access to. Obviously, the continuing violence in the situation in those areas has created more displaced people. I will get our guest who sounds like he is already having a good time." Yeah, a good time. On May 21 Inner City Press asked UK Deputy UN Ambassador Jonathan Allen when his Mission will at least request a briefing in the UN Security Council about Cameroon, given the targeted killings and the questions put to UK Minister for Africa Harriet Baldwin in the House of Commons and her answer. According to the UK transcript, Inner City Press asked, "One question on Cameroon: There was a national day held. Many people didn't participate or were forced to participate. And I know that Harriet Baldwin was asked in the House of Commons about it. Does the UK intend at any point to request a briefing under any other business or otherwise at the UN in the Security Council on targeted killings?" Ambassador Allen replied to Inner City Press, "We are talking to the government of Cameroon, of course. And we are discussing with our colleagues, including here, the situation that is going on over there. At this stage we haven't made any request to put it on the Security Council agenda. We keep it under review." Video here. Under review for how long, amid burning and looting of villages? Now to the criticism of summary executions, there's an attempt to stir up - or find - supporters of Paul Biya. In this sample TV clip, it is asked rhetorically, Where is civil society? Where are the political parties? Where are the intellectuals? Maybe support for Paul Biya is not what he thinks. As to the claim Cameroon will never be DRC, Libya, CAR or Cote d'Ivoire, it is understandable that like North Korea's Kim, Biya would not want to go the way of Gaddafi. But is the argument that Cote d'Ivoire is a colony? Any more than Cameroon? We'll have more on this. On May 20 Paul Biya had Nigerian soldiers parade before him in Yaounde. Nigerian Lieutenant Colonel Mochtar Sani Daroda said the troops were requested by Biya to participate. Meanwhile in Bamenda, University students were forced by Biya's official to parade the penalty of expulsion. It was no celebration in, for example, Bangem, Kupe Muanenguba, Konye, Batibo and Ekona. Last week US Ambassador Peter Henry Barlerin not only noted the government's targeted killings but also how long Biya has been in power - more than thirty years - and "suggested to the President that he should be thinking about his legacy and how he wants to be remembered in the history books to be read by generations to come, and proposed that George Washington and Nelson Mandela were excellent models." Biya's spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary has fired back from Libreville: "We do not accept the infantilization of the Cameroonian nation. It is with full knowledge of the facts that they put their ballot in the ballot box." Infantilization? For an 85-year old ruler for 35-years? Some National Day. We have see the ghost towns. On May 16, the Governor of Cameroon's North-West Region issued an order "advising" Anglophone residents to remain indoors or relocate for their own safety from May 18 to at least the dubious May 20 "nation day." But France, the sponsor and protector of all this killing, issued a congratulations, from ostensibly post FrancAfrique president Emmanuel Macron. He urged “strict respect for the unity” of Cameroon, in a congratulatory letter to Biya. Unlike others who acknowledged the undeniable, Biya's targeted killings and burning of villages, Macron denounced “crimes targeting representatives of the state” - like those who engage in torture, even on video. Macron wrote that “Cameroon is a key partner for France, and I hope that our relations will be even stronger in the future." Macron supported the killing just as he accuses others of.
