Experts and representatives of international organisations will propose proactive solutions to violent extremism in Central Africa and Lake Chad Basin today in Yaounde.

Amajor milestone in seeking last solutions to instability, conflict  and terrorist attacks in the Central African Sub-region and Lake Chad Basin is expected to be reached in Yaounde today, November 28, 2017 when experts will make recommendations for the proactive ways of tackling violent extremism.

This will be at the end of a two-day seminar on preventing and fighting violent extremism organised by the African Centre for International, Diplomatic, Economic and Strategic Studies (CEIDES) in collaboration with diverse partners and supported by the government of Cameroon.

The different speakers during the opening ceremony at Hôtel La Falaise in down town Yaounde  yesterday, November 27, 2018 already started proposing some solutions to violent extremism. The Ambassador of Switzerland to Cameroon, Pietro Lazzeri whose country is the main supporter and initiator of efforts to fight violent extremism made key proposals.

He said the roots causes of the phenomenon  must be identified at national, regional and international levels, alternative actions promoted to occupy the minds of those lured into violent extremism.

The Ambassador also recommended that pluralistic societies have to be accepted, tolerance made a guiding life principle  and networks strengthened  to  promote good practices and implement actions taken.

The Swiss government launched regional brainstorming with meetings in Dakar, Senegal and N’Djamena in Chad in 2016.

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General to West Africa and Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas said violent extremism was a threat to States and the region. He said it has been recrudescent in the past years in the Lake Chad Basin due to the terrorist group Boko Haram insurgencies. 

Mohamed Ibn Chambas said the phenomenon can be tackled by investing in peace, one of the key policies of the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.   He also suggested a global  and inclusive approach, harmonised solutions at regional and international levels and taking into account realities on the field.

Speaking earlier, the Representative of the UN Secretary General to Central Africa (UNOCA), François L. Fall said the seminar was important as it would lead to the proper understanding of violent extremism and factors favouring it in order to propose lasting solutions. He joined others to appreciate Cameroon for hosting the seminar.