YAOUNDE, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon President Paul Biya said Monday evening that armed separatists in the two English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest will be "neutralized" if they do not drop their weapons and "follow the right track."
"If my appeal to warmongers to lay down their weapons remains unheeded, the defence and security forces will be instructed to neutralize them," Biya warned during his traditional end-of-year address to the nation. The Cameroonian security forces regularly use the word "neutralize" to refer to "kill."
In order to avoid the use of "extreme measures," a commission to disarm and reintegrate ex-combatants of armed groups in the regions willing to drop their arms has been created, Biya said.
"I wish to emphasize that this initiative provides a dignified way out for ex-combatants and prospects for social reintegration, and should pave the way for a return to calm and normalcy," he said.
"Furthermore, I intend to continue the dialogue initiated with people of goodwill to bring about lasting peace," Biya added.
According to the president, greater autonomy will be accorded to local communities and the promotion of bilingualism and multiculturalism will be "fast-tracked" as part of the measures to end the war in the troubled regions.
Fighting between government forces and armed separatist groups has been going on since November 2017 after the separatists declared the independence of a nation called "Ambazonia" in the two English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest.
According to the United Nations, more than 430,000 Cameroonians have been displaced internally and at least 30,000 others have fled to neighboring Nigeria.
