Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support English-speaking people in Cameroon with the preservation of their culture.

The UK values the relationship with Cameroon, including our linguistic connections and membership of the Commonwealth. For example, the Commonwealth Point of Light awards two Cameroonians for their contributions to important causes annually. In 2022, it was awarded to an activist coordinating humanitarian activities in the South-West (Anglophone) region. The British High Commission in Yaoundé regularly meets with civil society and businesses (including Anglophone representatives) to forge and strengthen relationships. I [Minister Mitchell] met with Cameroon's Minister of Defence earlier this month. I [Minister Mitchell] set out the UK's commitment to supporting a peaceful resolution to conflict in the North-West South-West regions. The former Minister for Africa, Sir James Duddridge MP, confirmed this commitment to President Biya and Prime Minister Ngute when he visited Cameroon in March 2021.