Former Nigerian Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo has raised a finger against the Biya Francophone regime over the ongoing Southern Cameroons crisis. In an interview he granted Jeune Afrique published on October 25, 2017, Obasanjo discussed the crisis in Anglophone Cameroon and denounced Biya’s continued stay in power.

The retired soldier, who ruled the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1976 to 1979 and from 1999 to 2007, opined that, “federalism is a good system of governance because thanks to federalism, each party can express itself on the future of the country and move at its own pace without disturbing others. OBJ as he is often referred to in Southern Cameroons underlined that in federalism each state has its executive, its judicial system, its legislative but a nationality, a currency and a common foreign policy. The fears inspired by anti federalism are not justified,” said the man of action.

Regarding a possible new mandate for President Paul Biya in 2018, OBJ said it will be better for the French Cameroun dictator to leave leadership business after having served the nation for a long time. “It’s up to each country and every leader to decide what’s best. But, as I said, after a while in power, we cannot put anything really new. When the leader clings to his position, violence can emerge, which is good for no one”

The former Nigerian leader further pointed out that Southern Cameroonians feel a sense of exclusion. He urged the French Cameroon political elites to ensure that this impression disappears. Obasanjo hinted that he is willing to mediate in the Southern Cameroons crisis “if it contributes to peace”.

By Chi Prudence Asong, CIR