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The recent United Nations mandated operation in Libya that ended with the demise of long-time tyrant, Muammar Ghadafi was triggered by a key notion in International Affairs - the "Responsibility to Protect" known as R2P.
In the late-nineties, the United Nations Organization had become bloated and distracted from its initial goal which was to ensure peace and stability between nations by fostering the interaction of countries at regional and supra regional fora, thereby facilitating conflict mediation.
During this reform process, the African Union through the Ezulwini Consensus in 2005 presented a united front, with one of its top priorities being the "Responsibility to Protect"
What R2P means is that all states have a responsibility to protect their citizens from human rights abuses and torture. It furthermore grants states the authority to intervene in other sovereign states where such acts are being carried out.
Therefore, a state has the primary responsibility to protect its citizens, failing that, the International Community has the RIGHT to step in and stop all atrocities.
When Libyan Tyrant Muammar Ghadafi was murdering his people, no one could stop him. he embodied the state and everyone was answerable only to him. He had overstayed his welcome, 42 years of rule - and still believed the world was just like back in the sixties and seventies when torture and murder of political enemies was the norm. He failed to democratize his country.
When he turned his guns against unarmed civilians in Benghazi in February 2011, he was inviting the International Community to come into Libya and stop the atrocities. R2P was a success in Libya because the cause and main instigator of the atrocities was removed and no longer poses a threat to unarmed civilians in the country.
Observers of the socio-political scene in Cameroon have noted some parallels with Libya. Violent repression of peaceful protests by the 78 year old Paul Biya, who has single-handedly ruled the country for the past 36 years.
Jailing of political opponents without judgment. Spending from the public treasury like his personal piggy bank. And the worse, widespread corruption, tribalism and cronyism.
"Responsibility to Protect" does not always entail military action. It starts with the use of diplomacy, if that fails, more coercive action like sanctions are imposed on the offender and if proven ineffective, then military action is called for as a last resort such as was the case in Libya.
Whether the International Community decides to take action depends on Paul Biya's actions in the coming days. Whatever he does, he should by now know that he has overstayed his welcome, and will have the final opportunity to write the last few pages of the epilogue of 36 years of absolute autocratic, tribalism laced power in Cameroon. The ball is in his court.
The recent United Nations mandated operation in Libya that ended with the demise of long-time tyrant, Muammar Ghadafi was triggered by a key notion in International Affairs - the "Responsibility to Protect" known as R2P.
In the late-nineties, the United Nations Organization had become bloated and distracted from its initial goal which was to ensure peace and stability between nations by fostering the interaction of countries at regional and supra regional fora, thereby facilitating conflict mediation.
During this reform process, the African Union through the Ezulwini Consensus in 2005 presented a united front, with one of its top priorities being the "Responsibility to Protect"
What R2P means is that all states have a responsibility to protect their citizens from human rights abuses and torture. It furthermore grants states the authority to intervene in other sovereign states where such acts are being carried out.
Therefore, a state has the primary responsibility to protect its citizens, failing that, the International Community has the RIGHT to step in and stop all atrocities.
When Libyan Tyrant Muammar Ghadafi was murdering his people, no one could stop him. he embodied the state and everyone was answerable only to him. He had overstayed his welcome, 42 years of rule - and still believed the world was just like back in the sixties and seventies when torture and murder of political enemies was the norm. He failed to democratize his country.
When he turned his guns against unarmed civilians in Benghazi in February 2011, he was inviting the International Community to come into Libya and stop the atrocities. R2P was a success in Libya because the cause and main instigator of the atrocities was removed and no longer poses a threat to unarmed civilians in the country.
Observers of the socio-political scene in Cameroon have noted some parallels with Libya. Violent repression of peaceful protests by the 78 year old Paul Biya, who has single-handedly ruled the country for the past 36 years.
Jailing of political opponents without judgment. Spending from the public treasury like his personal piggy bank. And the worse, widespread corruption, tribalism and cronyism.
"Responsibility to Protect" does not always entail military action. It starts with the use of diplomacy, if that fails, more coercive action like sanctions are imposed on the offender and if proven ineffective, then military action is called for as a last resort such as was the case in Libya.
Whether the International Community decides to take action depends on Paul Biya's actions in the coming days. Whatever he does, he should by now know that he has overstayed his welcome, and will have the final opportunity to write the last few pages of the epilogue of 36 years of absolute autocratic, tribalism laced power in Cameroon. The ball is in his court.
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