Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cameroon: English-speaking Minority

Tuesday 2 March 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Edward Leigh asked about the Government's policy on the English-speaking minority in Cameroon.
  • The Minister responded that they will visit Cameroon at the earliest opportunity.
  • The Government has worked closely with French and American partners on the issue.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Context

The situation in Cameroon's anglophone region is concerning, with ongoing violence and human rights abuses affecting the English-speaking minority of approximately 5 million people.

Question

What the Government's policy is on the current status of the English-speaking minority in Cameroon. The situation in southern Cameroon is deeply troubling, involving numerous human rights abuses. The francophone president has been in power since 1982 and refuses to devolve any power to the anglophone community. Will the government now act? Will the Foreign Secretary engage our French allies, who have influence in francophone Africa, on this issue? Will the Minister for Africa visit southern Cameroon himself?

Answer from James Duddridge

I will visit Cameroon at the earliest opportunity. We have worked closely with our French and American partners, alongside other international actors. I thank the right hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson) for his interest and commit to further activity and a personal visit in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timing of the visit or concrete actions by French allies were not detailed

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Q2 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Context

The situation in Cameroon's anglophone region is deeply concerning, with ongoing violence and human rights abuses affecting the English-speaking minority of approximately 5 million people. The francophone president has been in power since 1982.

Question

What the Government's policy is on the current status of the English-speaking minority in Cameroon. Will the Government take action by engaging with French allies and sending the Minister for Africa to visit southern Cameroon?

Answer from James Duddridge

I will visit Cameroon at the earliest opportunity. We have worked closely with our French and American partners, alongside other international actors. I thank the right hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson) for his interest and commit to further activity and a personal visit in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timing of the visit or concrete actions by French allies were not detailed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

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