OTTAWA-
The federal government says Canada will lead a peace process aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in Cameroon where years of fighting and conflict have displaced nearly 800,000 people.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said there was an agreement between groups in the West and Central African country to enter into a process aimed at reaching a comprehensive, peaceful and political resolution to the conflict.
Joly said in a statement that Canada will assist the groups as part of its commitment to promote peace and security and advance support for democracy and human rights.
She says civilians are bearing the brunt of the ongoing crisis, with more than 6,000 dead since 2017 and 600,000 children without full access to education.
Joly says the groups include the Republic of Cameroon, the Ambazonia Governing Council and the Ambazonia Defense Forces, the African People’s Liberation Movement and the Southern Cameroons Defense Forces, the Interim Government and the Ambazonia coalition team.
According to the United Nations, fighting continued between state security forces and armed groups, leading to killings and displacement of civilians, including attacks on schools and children.
“Canada has accepted the mandate to facilitate this process, as part of our commitment to promote peace and security and to advance support for democracy and human rights,” Joly said Friday.
“The agreement to enter into a formal process is a crucial first step towards peace and a safer, more inclusive and more prosperous future for civilians affected by the conflict.”
A government source said there had been earlier meetings in Toronto and Quebec City to allow negotiations to take place between the different groups.
The source said Canada is the sole facilitator of the peace process.
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