Wilfred Enow Agbor
Yaounde, Cameroon
There are allegations from foreign press and social media that Cameroon is harboring rebels and terrorists who have orchestrated chaos in Niger and Central African Republic. To respond to these allegations, the Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakery told the press that while Cameroon welcomes refugees from the aforementioned countries, the government still respects sovereignties of all nations and it advocates peace in the region.
The Minister went on to add that the Cameroon government is ready to cooperate with the global community to fight against terrorism and cross-border crimes. A good example of
Cameroon Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary
such cooperation is when the Cameroon government hosted the Heads of States Submit on Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea last year in Yaoundé. He went further to say that the security policy of Cameroon lies within the framework of strict respect of borders in conformity with fundamental principles of the African Union.
However, the Minister brought up the issue of right of hot pursuit of criminals within the borders in a foreign country. On this issue, the Minister made it clear that Cameroon has never and will never accept this notion of the right of hot pursuit on Cameroon territory.
He called on Cameroonians to be confident in the Head of State who through the defense force is taking very strong measures to ensure peace and security in the country by dismantling weapons and ammunition from traffic groups and the arresting of some foreign armed elements that are daring to violate the country’s territory.
At the end of the press conference, the Minister paid homage to Cameroonian soldiers who lost their lives in the fight to protect the nation.
