By Basil K Mbuye
The Government of Cameroon, through HE Donancier Mebouogue, General Consul of Cameroon in the Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has announced in a press release that the Government has offered free flight back home to distressed Cameroonians in UAE.
A communiqué, dated February 24, also states that a census of Cameroonians in the said area will be carried out regarding those that are distressed and wish to return to Cameroon.
“… the Government of the Republic of Cameroon is concerned about the well-being of all Cameroonian nationals abroad in general and those in the United Arab Emirates in particular and has decided to organise a census of Cameroonians distressed in the United Arab Emirates and who wish to return to their country,” it reads.
Going by the communiqué, a list has been open at the premises of the Consulate General for two weeks to register Cameroonian nationals who are distressed in any way and wish to return to Cameroon.
Since the Anglophone Crisis started in 2016, there has been a mass exodus of Cameroonians travelling abroad with the United Arab Emirates, UAE, being one of the countries to harbour a good number of Cameroonians.
Due to the increase in number, Cameroonians who travelled there are not able to have jobs, or have jobs with little pay. Due to the lack of jobs, some indulge in illegal businesses while some become prostitutes. There is also the problem of the renewal of passports which the Consul General in the UAE attributes it to the Anglophone Crisis. To him, the crisis has made the renewal of passport in UAE by Cameroonians very challenging.
Observers doubt if distressed Cameroonians in UAE will use the opportunity to return home, because peace has not yet returned home.
