Is Biya’s Offer of National Dialogue in Cameroon Really Sincere?

Is Biya’s Offer of National Dialogue in Cameroon Really Sincere?
Pedestrians walk past an election campaign billboard of Cameroon’s president, Paul Biya, at Mokolo Market in Yaounde, Cameroon, Oct. 11, 2018 (AP photo by Sunday Alamba).

Editor’s Note: Every Friday, Andrew Green curates the top news and analysis from and about the African continent.

President Paul Biya delivered a rare speech this week announcing the launch of a national dialogue process to resolve Cameroon’s separatist crisis. Biya named Prime Minister Joseph Ngute to lead the talks, which are set to begin before the end of the month.

But is Biya actually committed to peace? His government has exacerbated the separatist crisis in the past, and during his address this week, Biya appeared to undercut his message of peace when he called on separatists to surrender or face military action.

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