By John Ikani
President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged Nigeria’s support to ensuring that the Republic of Cameroon remains an indivisible country.
The pledge which comes amid secession agitation in Cameroon was made when Buhari received Mr Felix Mbayu, a Special Envoy from President Paul Biya of Cameroon.
A statement issued by Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina quoted the president as noting that “Nigeria and Cameroon share historical ties and common borders, which make it imperative for us to look out for each other’s well-being.”
“You will have problems if your neighbours are not cultivated. And our relationship with Cameroon had been very clear since when I was serving in the military. The country offered us the needed support during our Civil War,” the President said.
President Buhari said Nigeria is aware of the separatist agitation by Ambazonia stressing that it was in the interest of Nigeria “to ensure that Cameroon is stable, and we will be steadfast in our support for you.”
Responding, Mr Mbayu, who is also Minister Delegate in Charge of Cooperation with the Commonwealth, said President Biya is happy with the role Nigeria is playing in Africa, noting that the two neighbours share not just borders and historical ties, “but also common challenges.”
What you should know
Like Nigeria, agitation for secession is has taken a new dimension in Cameroon.
This is as Ambazonian separatists in the Anglophone territories of Northwest Region and Southwest Region (collectively known as Southern Cameroons) have stepped up agitations for separation of the country via social media, and clashing with government security forces.
In April, leaders of the secession agenda in Cameroon announced a formal alliance with a secessionist South Eastern Nigerian group called the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB.
IPOB is a secessionist group that advocates for the creation of the independent country of Biafra.
The scope of the alliance will include joint operations and training bases, Capo Daniel, the deputy defense chief of the Ambazonia Defense Forces, the military wing of the Ambazonia Governing Council, told Foreign Policy.
The groups will work to secure their shared border and ensure an open exchange of weapons and personnel, representatives of both the Ambazonia and IPOB movements said.
Moreover, Nigerian and Cameroonian security forces have repeatedly violated human and animal rights to quell the protests.
Consequently, Biafra and Ambazonia loyalists have found common ground in each other’s movements.
