“I am alarmed by the recent kidnapping of local official and parliamentary candidates by armed separatists” she said in a press statement. “These actions are counterproductive and not conducive to solving the conflict in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.
Then she cautions that “those advocating for independence must understand that preying on innocent Cameroonians who simply want to exercise their civic duties will not help them get any closer to an independent state.”
Keren Bass encourages separatists “to commit to peacefully resolving the conflict in order for the country to have open and fair elections for all in 2020.”
Following is scholar Anbdoulkarim Ali’s reaction to the comments of US diplomat who visited Cameroon a couple if months ago.
“Dear Congress Woman-Karen Bass,
“I write to say you have done nothing wrong in your inference on the Southern Cameroons war of Independence. I refer to it as an inference because I am definitely sure you lack the right primary source material from which to draw any viable and correct conclusions.
“Naomia Suggs and Jeannette Yarowoode are auxiliaries to traitors, enemies and enablers of a persecuted people. During your visits to Yaounde, you didn’t fulfill the acceptable procedure of information gathering (visiting the Southern Cameroons and talking to activists,victims and opinion leaders on the ground). We understand you were precluded by enablers from pursuing the noble course of talking to the people of Southern Cameroons. You will agree as an academic that you are that, it is totally unacedamia to make inferences without engaging the people on the ground. Permit me remind you that neutrality in the face of injustice is injustice.
“Madam, Southern Cameroonians are not terrorists as much as George Washington or Thomas Jefferson were not. Southern Cameroonians have been under siege for 58 years and war was declared on us 2 years ago. All we are doing is defend our Mothers, fathers,children from being slaughtered by the military.
“Ask us about what concerns us if you desire truth. Southern Cameroonians are the ones pursuing a peace process led by Switzerland. We have nothing to hide, when the fact finding missions come in, let them ask us about us and then you shall make conclusions. One won’t ask the mice if they would need milk after given cookies. Please ask us about us. Refrain from asking our enemy about us.
“Please keep up the good work and don’t allow bad elements to drag the reputation of your office to the gutters.”