Dr. David Makongo Urges Cameroon to Engage President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and the Nera 10 in Peace Talks
Dr. David Makongo, a prominent Cameroonian and distinguished Natural Resources Advocate and Mining Expert, has publicly called on the Cameroonian government to engage Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and the other members of the Nera 10 as part of an inclusive effort to end the armed conflict in the North-West and South-West regions. He also demanded an independent review of official claims that peace is returning to the two regions.
A call for inclusive dialogue
In a statement published on his Facebook page, Dr. Makongo argued that Sisiku Ayuk Tabe’s influence among a significant section of the population makes him an important interlocutor for peace. He said serious talks should address four priorities:
- An immediate ceasefire
- Protection of civilians
- Release of crisis-related detainees
- A negotiated political settlement
Dr. Makongo stressed that his appeal goes beyond the Nera 10. Other stakeholders, whether in detention, in affected communities or in the diaspora, also have voices that matter, and a credible peace process must give them a meaningful opportunity to be heard.
“Saving lives must take precedence over political pride,” he said, urging dialogue “before another family buries a loved one.”
Questions over official claims of returning peace
In a second Facebook Post, titled “Who is trying to bury the truth about the armed conflict in the North West and South West?”, Dr. Makongo questioned whether official accounts of the conflict match realities on the ground.
He noted that assurances from the Prime Minister and a Cameroon Tribune report describing a return to peace were followed by images of October 1st celebrations that appear to tell a different story. He cautioned that the images alone cannot establish the full military situation or prove a political outcome, but said they deserve examination and should not be dismissed simply because they challenge the official narrative.
“President Paul Biya deserves accurate information to make sound decisions,” he wrote, adding that the people deserve “truth, justice and protection.”
Proposed independent review
Dr. Makongo called for an independent review covering four areas:
- Security reports: the evidence behind claims of surrenders, declining armed activity and restored government control.
- Recommendations to the Presidency: whether they reflect conditions in affected communities.
- Public funds: how money allocated to resolving the crisis was spent, and what measurable results it produced.
- Alleged profiteering: allegations that individuals have profited from the conflict, with accountability wherever wrongdoing is established.
He said those responsible for reporting must answer for its accuracy and those entrusted with public money must account for it. “No one should be allowed to benefit from a conflict while families continue to bury their loved ones,” he said.
Background
The conflict in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions began in 2016–2017, when protests over perceived marginalization of the Anglophone minority escalated into armed confrontation between state forces and separatist groups. Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and nine other separatist leaders, known as the Nera 10, were arrested in Nigeria in January 2018 and transferred to Cameroon. In August 2019, a military tribunal in Yaoundé sentenced them to life imprisonment. The crisis has caused significant loss of life and displacement, and it has drawn repeated calls from international and civil society organizations for dialogue.
Our view
The Human Rights and Legal Research Centre welcomes any call that puts civilian lives, accountability and negotiated solutions at the center of the debate. We note that images and official statements alone cannot settle disputed claims about the security situation, which is why independent, transparent verification matters. Durable peace depends on:
- Credible ceasefire commitments from all parties
- Unhindered humanitarian access
- Fair legal treatment for detainees
- Public accountability for the use of state funds
- Inclusive negotiations that address the root causes of the crisis
This article reports statements made by Dr. David Makongo on his Facebook page. The views expressed are his own. The Centre has not independently verified the images or security claims referenced.
Berinyuy Cajetan, writer, publisher and the founder of the Human rights and Legal research centre
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
