Cameroon, A Collateral Damage!

Since the onset of the rather raging friction between Europe’s eastern countries of Ukraine and Russia on February 24, 2022, nations within and without the theatre of action have been paying varied prices for a war they neither started nor know anything about. Like most countries of the world, Cameroon; thousands of miles away from Europe, is today a victim and government and her population are today paying a huge price of a far-away war merely because of global connectivity which obliges interdependence in a ‘give-and-take’ world.
To say the least, the Russia-Ukraine war is having an enormous impact on the global supply chain, impeding the flow of goods, fuelling intense cost increases and product shortages, and creating awful food shortages around the world. The effects are devastating: Wide and varied!
Despite an unambiguous stance of Cameroon, aired by Communication Minister and Government’s Spokesperson, René Emmanuel Sadi who made it abundantly clear that peaceful settlement of conflict has always been one of the fundamental principles of Cameroon’s foreign policy, the country has not be spared by the consequences of the war. Almost everyone is suffering under the weight of the war with the effect not showing signs of abating, at least anytime soon. It is observed almost across the globe that one of the most alarming supply chain issues resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war is food shortages, particularly acute in low-income countries. This is more so because Ukraine and Russia reportedly account for about a third of the world’s wheat and a quarter of barley production, and about 75 per cent of the sunflower oil supply. These produce are consumed worldwide. 

Worsening An Already Painful Situation
In fact, the Russia/Ukraine war that is leaving considerable damages on national and global economic fabrics today has pushed Cameroon to face three uncomfortable fronts.  The war is making an already bad situation worse, especially coming on the heels of the Covid-19 pandemic which has paralysed the world’s economy, Cameroon inclusive. The pandemic which might be weakened today remains a serious threat in the country given that it is yet to be completely crushed. As such, the national economy continues to pay the huge price through job loss, salary cuts, business closure and a general economic slowdown.  The devastating economic consequences have left d...