The extraordinary session of October 31, 2020 of the Politburo The communiqué of the Reform Movement
The recurrence of tragic events in the country goes on, especially in the North-West and South-West regions that have been in crisis for 4 years now, as noted during the session of August 20, 2020 of our politburo. The country founders in a war, in horror and barbarism with attacks by armed gangs that give rise to retaliation operations conducted by the national army.
It is in this context that 07 young children were slackly shot down and several other children injured by unidentified armed attackers last Saturday, October 24 during the attack on the Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy school in Kumba in the region of South West.
The decapitation, the exposure to the public of the remains of “neutralized” armed men and today the slaughter of innocent young people … appear to be horrors of a fratricidal war that, extremists on either side, impose to the Nation in a deadly governmental incapacity.
Our call to President Paul Biya, Head of State “to stop the violence in the North-West and South-West regions by using all his influence”, has not been heard. His silence and apathy in the face of the war appear to be factors strengthening the continuation of the tragedy experienced by the populations in the North West and South West regions and the Nation as a whole.
The direct and practical commitment of the Head of State is undoubtedly essential for the resolution of this serious crisis. However, the action of President Biya is visible today only through convoluted statements of the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic by which he gives instructions to members of the Government including the Prime Minister, Head of Government. This shows a serious institutional dysfunction at the top. The power vacuum at the top of the state is evident.
It therefore seems essential and urgent to provide a relevant response to the problem of the power vacuum at the top of the state in order to decisively consider the restoration of peace in the regions in crisis and to respond legitimately to the challenges the Nation faces.
Failure to properly address the glaring incapacity situation at the top of the state can only contribute to the worsening of the security, socio-political crises and to further wreak havoc in the socio-economic situation of the country.
The Reform Movement,
✓ feels the pain of bereaved families, raises the inhumanity of the perpetrators of the massacre of innocent children and other horrors in the theater of the so-called “anglophone crisis”, wishes a speedy recovery to the wounded and calls again for a ceasefire in the English-speaking regions.
✓ exposes the stubbornness of the government authorities for its military option at the expense of a real republican dialogue to put an end to the martyrdom of the populations in the North-West and South-West regions;
✓ extends its sympathy to the affected populations who, in addition to the harms of war of which they are victims, must face an inconsistent communication campaign aimed at criminalizing them by letting the public believe that they support, finance or protect armed groups.
✓ calls on the Nation to unite and courageously and calmly engage in the search for a concerted solution to the manifest vacuum of power at the top of the state.
✓ commends President Biya for serving the Fatherland for nearly 60 years, including 38 years at the top of the State and urges him to actively contribute to the organization of a democratic transition at the top of the State.
Samuel BILLONG
The National Chairman
