Politics

The recent declaration by Philemon Zo'o Zame, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency proscribing the use of English at the institution has brought to focus the ability of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multi culturalism to resolve issues emanating from the language conflict in the country.The Bulu native categorically told Anglophones at the Agency to either speak French or shut-up. He shamelessly affirmed he doesn't understand English and so Anglophones must toe his line.

It is clear that Zo'o Zame's declaration is  anti constitutional considering that English and French are the two official languages enshrined in the Constitution . And at a time when the country is going through a protracted stalemate as a result of the uneven use of the two languages, prompt action ought to have been taken against the official.

Almost a week after that incident, the Bilingualism Commission which claimed it is ready for work ought to have had that as its first file. But it has stayed mute,  in utter indifference to the spiral effects of such statements might result in. Not even a Communique has been issued.

As if to make matters worse, the Prime Minister, Thursday June 23 appeared to to have  confirmed how powerless the Commission is against those who violate the country's Bilingual status. While taking questions from MPs in Yaounde, Hon Paul Nji Tumasang asked the Head of Government to tell Cameroonians what punishment await those who fail to respect the equal status of English and French as prescribed in the Constitution.  Philemon Yang shockingly told the National Assembly that "...the law does not see punishment for not using the language as we speak."

Critics have been quick to conclude that Biya's Bilingualism watchdog is doomed to fail. They question why sanctions can not be taken against those who breach the constitution. Besides , the powers of the said Commission they argue ought to have been strengthened through a Bill which give it powers to enforce the equal use of both languages and sanction defaulters. It is commonplace to still see the systematic erosion of the English language in public structures nationwide, leaving them to describe Government's move to enforce bilingualism as timid and cosmetic.

Details

24.Jun.2017

Hits: 2834

Two members of the National Assembly were denied access to ask questions to members of government on 21 June due to what the speaker of the house termed indecent dressing.

Martin Oyono from the governing CPDM and Fusi Namekong of the leading opposition movement SDF were considered indecently dressed by Cavaye Yeguie, according to La Nouvelle Expression.

Both men claimed to have worn traditional attires. Honorable Fusi Nmekong argued that he had put on his North West traditional regalia, which speaker termed a jumper.

Every attempt by SDF to make Cavaye change his decision proved futile.

“Those who come to the National Assembly with short-sleeve shirts, I don’t let them speak. I have already sanctioned parliamentarians for that. You don’t come to the chamber with just any kind of attire,” Cavaye had told Martin Oyono.

Martin Oyono reportedly wore a jacket with short sleeves, which looked very much like a military uniform.

In the meantime, some members of the National Assembly argue that there is no dress code for the chamber.

Apparently, Cavaye wants everybody to get lost in a pile of clothes, the “ngandura”, as he does.

Details

Ashuh John

24.Jun.2017

Hits: 1243

Ever since the struggle to restore Ambazonia from the clutches of the colonial slave masters; La Republic, the silence of our women has been worrisome, but for a handful who in very confident and consistent strides, are making their voices heard. While some left their families and children behind and ran into exile where they continue working underground in support of the struggle, to the delight of La République, many, both back home and abroad have relented their efforts to the expense of our collective and legitimate push towards the restoration of our statehood.

Details

TINA NGANDA

23.Jun.2017

Hits: 2244

Hon Joseph Wirba has resurfaced from self exile, 6 months after a brutal man hunt for his head was launched by the country's Police Chief and Biya's Bulu kingpin, Martin Mbarga Nguele.  His only crime has been speaking the whole truth over Government's inhumane treatment of the Anglophone Problem.  The use of firepower by heavily armed combat ready troops on unarmed and helpless civilians, harassments,  intimidation and provocation in the North West and South West regions since the eruption of the crisis had reached fever pitch, boiling in the heart of a small but hard figure who was poised  to defend his people from the ills of a brutal and violent regime.

The man who unsettled the National Assembly and defied its Speaker during the November session looked relaxed as he made his way into the Glass House with a huge file, probably containing results of extensive research he could have carried out during his forceful narrow escape, demanding that the standing orders of the house be changed to include the Anglophone wahala. Wirba's stormy return was no good signal for Cavaye Yegue Djibril who had  earlier received lashes from fellow regime barons for allowing the audacious and fearless warrior of Nso ignite a revolution which has spread like wild fire not only  in his hometown Kumbo but also the entire Anglophone part of the territory. An attempt by the Speaker to stop him was just like drawing a line for him to cross. And for a man who had previously dared the same opponent in his own  fief, Wirba did not disappoint.

For many who thought he had negotiated his comeback with the establishment and would digest the Speaker's dictatorial move, Wirba took Cavaye and other colleagues back to classroom, teaching them  the basics of why they are Parliamentarians in the first place. Just when the "tres Honorable" was yet to digest his own dose of the 101 lecture, he proceeded by  launching a virulent invitation on the Police boss to come seize him from the rostrum of the National Assembly.

Wirba's heated verbal duel with the House Speaker was enough illustration to prove he was unfazed with the mission allowances and the splendor offered to MPs for the session. A strong signal for the dysfunctional system  to understand that they won't have rest if they continue circumventing the Anglophone Problem.

Observers have been quick to draw similarities with the famous WWE Superstar The Undertaker who would resurrect after his opponents thought they had knocked him out in a wrestling match. The regime who was exhausted from fruitless deals with the Consortium and resorted with a ruthless witch hunt of its leaders could have been popping bottles of wine thinking it's arbitrary use of force had put them on a strong position. But it is clear the drama this week in Parliament has demonstrated that the Anglophone crisis is deeper and broader than even those who carry it can imagine. it will require more than routine gunshots and teargas to silence the people.

At a time when the arrest and escape of the struggle's  flag bearers had ushered in a ferocious power tussle amongst demi gods and fragmented a once unified people, the return of Wirba is expected to give the crusade some sort of leadership stability, that is if all actors agree to down self aggrandizement, stop intimidation of contrary views and create an avenue for true reconciliation.

An arrest warrant still hangs over Wirba's head and though he still enjoys immunity, his future is still clouded in uncertainty . For an unpredictable regime that violated all set rules and abducted a Senior judge at the Supreme Court in January, intimidated  the son of one of the people's finest politicians through a  summon and used an unholy Parent Consortium to try Church leaders in court,  Wirba's settlement on enemy territory worries the very heart of Southern Cameroonians . The regime critics say will do all it takes to wipe him out. But Wirba's courage in the face of the unknown as curious as it seems clearly depicts a man who is coming with renewed energy in the struggle. Time will surely not disappoint to show his people what he is bringing back from exile.

Details

Jerome Ngwa

23.Jun.2017

Hits: 3803

Soldiers and other military personnel found guilty of acts of insubordination, including protest marches will henceforth receive heavy jail terms at the Military Tribunal.

This is one of the main provisions of bill No. 1010/PJL/AN to lay down the code of military justice. Government tabled the draft law for scrutiny at the National Assembly in Yaounde on June 19.

Going by observers, the bill is partly Government’s bid to stem the tides of a growing phenomenon wherein soldiers storm the streets to protest unpaid dues.

On June 3, some 30 soldiers of the Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin demonstrated in Zigue in the Logone and Chari Division of the Far North Region.

The soldiers, who complained about unpaid allowances, stirred panic in the area. They were later arrested and transferred to Yaounde for disciplinary sanctions.

On September 9, 2015, more than 200 Cameroonian soldiers of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Force for the Stabilisation of the Central Africa Republic ignited fear in the streets of Yaounde when they protested against the non-payment of over eight months of arrears of their allowances.

To bring calm within the ranks, President Biya quickly ordered that the allowances be paid immediately, which the authorities did and the matter was laid to rest.

Last Monday’s bill that is now being scrutinized by the National Defence and Security Commission of the National Assembly is seen as the authority’s way of deterring any acts of protests within the military.

According to Section 39 of the proposed law, servicemen found guilty of acts of insubordination will be punished with an imprisonment term of one to five years.

“Any serviceman who refuses to obey or execute a lawful command given by his/her superior shall be punished with imprisonment for from 1 (one) to 5 (five) years.

However, obeying a patently unlawful command, as defined in the regulations, shall incur the criminal liability of the subordinate, without prejudice to that of the superior,” partly reads the text.

The proposed law also provides that any acts of insubordination in the presence of the enemy or rebels shall be punished with life imprisonment.

Section 41 of the bill prohibits any kind of revolt in the military. It partly reads as follows: “Any two or more servicemen shall be considered to be in a situation of revolt when they meet to: (a) jointly refuse, at the first command, to obey orders of their superior, (b) take up arms and act against the orders of their superior; (c) engage in violence, destruction and degradation, or make use of their weapons.”Such cases, according to the bill, earn imprisonment terms of five to ten years. It also states that the instigator of any revolt shall be punished with maximum penalty.

The bill adds that when such situation happens off duty, the penalty shall be six months to two years. If the subordinate is not aware that the victim is a superior officer, the penalty may not exceed six months.

The draft law also prescribes heavy sanctions on servicemen who sleep on sentry-duty, ignite violence against subordinates and are caught in misconduct.

It prescribes six months to five years imprisonment terms for servicemen who, while on duty, issue threats or insults against a superior officer either in writing of through gestures.

It further stipulates that any serviceman who fails to pay respect to the national flag shall be punished with imprisonment term of six months to five years.

“Any medical officer, military health worker or serviceman who conducts or causes the conduct of medical test on a serviceman without his or her informed consent or discloses the illness or medical status of a sick or infected serviceman shall be punished with imprisonment term of one to three months and fine of from FCFA 100,000 to one million.

Whoever, without provocation uses insulting or disparaging language or gestures towards a sick or injured serviceman about an illness or disability, shall be punished with imprisonment term of three months to three years and a fine FCFA 200,000 to two million,” reads section 44 of the draft law.

It further warns that any serviceman or member of the defence forces who commits an act of discrimination against a serviceman based solely on the latter’s medical status shall bag an imprisonment term of one month to one year and a fine of FCFA 100,000 to one million.

In addition, any serviceman who dissipates or fails to produce a piece of weapon, equipment or outfit, or any other object assigned for use on duty or entrusted to him for service purposes, shall be slammed a six-month to five-year imprisonment term, going by the law.

It states that maximum penalty shall be 15 years if the dissipated items were essential for the functioning of the service.

Cameroonpostline

Details

Rita Akana

23.Jun.2017

Hits: 1739

The Cameroonian army and Boko Haram terrorists were engaged in a violent, lengthy gunfight on Thursday morning.

The gunfight was taking place in the locality of Bargaram in the Hile Alifa District in Cameroon’s far north, reported authoritative Cameroonian newspaper, L’Oeil du Sahel.

The latest gunfight comes only a day after two Boko Haram suicide bombers blew themselves up in Cameroon, killing themselves and eight civilians.

A previous report had stated that three suicide bombers and five civilians died in those attacks on Wednesday night, but the latest death toll was eight civilians dead and two bombers killed.

Those suicide attacks took place in Kolofata, a town in Cameroon’s far north, not far from the border with Nigeria.

The blasts occurred on Wednesday evening local time, hours after a village head in Nigeria and his son were on Wednesday morning killed by Boko Haram in Cameroon’s far north where they had found refuge.

Identified only as Musa, the head of Doglo village in Nigeria, along with his son, were killed by Boko Haram terrorists at Fadje Fota, a locality in Cameroon’s far north, not very far from the Nigerian border.

They had arrived there exactly to avoid being caught in the Boko Haram atrocities, but ended up being killed anyway, as the terrorists continue to expand their quest to establish a caliphate in the Lake Chad Basin.

Boko Haram has wreaked havoc in Cameroon and Nigeria in recent weeks and months, killing many people in suicide bombings and gun attacks and putting a lie to claims by Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari that the ISIS’ partners in death in West and Central Africa had been defeated.

A landmine on Tuesday killed a Cameroonian soldier. Several bomb blasts have occurred in recent days and weeks in Nigeria and Cameroon.

In all, Boko Haram has massacred over 25, 000 people in Nigeria since 2009 and more than two million people displaced there are still in IDPs’ camps. Thousands of people have also been kidnapped and many remain missing till date, including more than100 Chibok girls abducted from their school dormitory in Chibok in 2014.

In Cameroon, more than 2000 civilians and hundreds of soldiers and policemen have been killed by Boko Haram since 2014 in over 500 suicide bombings and gun attacks.

Despite reassurances by longtime President of Cameroon, Paul Biya, that the terrorists who pledged allegiance of the Islamic State in 2015 would soon be wiped out, killings and displacements of civilians have continued.

Mr. Biya, who has been in power for 35 years and spends months on vacation abroad, has not set foot in Cameroon’s far north even though his countrymen have been experiencing hell brought to them by Boko Haram.

Worse, when over 30 Cameroonian soldiers were killed by Boko Haram, and their bodies brought close to the Presidential palace in Cameroon, Mr. Biya did not even attend an event organised to honour them.

Details

Simon Ateba

23.Jun.2017

Hits: 2922