Yaoundé, Cameroon — English-speaking separatists in Cameroon say they will stop fighting for three days to allow “safe travel” Pope Leo XIV Visit to the Central African country on Wednesday.
The Unity Alliance, which includes several separatist groups, said in a statement late on Monday that the halt reflected the “deep spiritual significance” of the pilgrimage and was aimed at allowing citizens, pilgrims and dignitaries to travel safely.
Cameroonian officials did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment. Government spokesman René Saadi said last week that “all necessary arrangements have been made” to ensure a successful visit.
western regions of cameroon battle stricken Since English-speaking separatists launched a rebellion in 2017 with the stated goal of breaking away from the French-speaking majority and establishing an independent state. conflict has killed More than 6,000 people died and more than 600,000 others were displaced, according to the International Crisis Group.
Pope Leo, who began his four-nation Africa tour this week AlgeriaReady to arrive in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon.
He will lead a “peace meeting” on Thursday in the city of Bamenda, the epicenter of the conflict between separatists and government forces.
Lucas Asu, a spokesman for the Unity Alliance, said in the statement that the pause in fighting “reflects a deliberate commitment to responsibility, restraint and respect for human dignity, even in the context of the ongoing conflict.”
He said the papal visit should remain “spiritual” and should not be seen as an endorsement of any political authority.
Although the number of deadly attacks by separatists has declined in recent years, the conflict shows no sign of resolution. Peace talks with international mediators have stalled, with both sides accusing the other of acting in bad faith.
The conflict has its roots in Cameroon’s colonial history, when the country was divided between France and Britain after World War I. The English-speaking regions later joined French Cameroon in a 1961 UN-backed vote, but separatists say they have been politically and economically marginalized ever since.
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Banchereau reported from Dakar, Senegal.
