Politics
All eyes will be on the Presiding Judge at the Yaounde Military Tribunal today as 28 Anglophone detainees head for the docks again. Colonel Abega Eko Eko Mbazoa is expected to pronounce a ruling on whether Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor Balla and Dr Fontem Neba will be granted bail under judicial supervision as proposed by the prosecuting bench. During the last hearing the judge subscribed to a possible freedom for the leaders of the disbanded Consortium leaders provided conditions for the judicial supervision are met. But the application for bail of the other detainees was refused on grounds that their case was not convincing.
According to section 246 of the criminal procedure code, Balla and Fontem could be requested to fulfill some financial and surety requirements before they are released.
But the granting of judicial supervision to only two of the 28 detainees has been described by the Defense bench as miscarriage of justice since the Balla-Fontem-Mancho case was joint to that of the 26 others. But a Douala based Senior lawyer, Barrister Fru John SOH told Cameroon Concord that it will be impossible for the judge to rule on the matter based on the proposal of the Prosecuting bench. "I don't see a judge granting judicial supervision in the present context, Unless he or she doesn't know the law. It's either the judge grants bail to everybody or refuses bail to everybody." Barrister Fru says
Even more controversial is whether Barrister Agbor Balla and Dr Fontem Neba will accept the ruling based on the present statusquo. The leader of the outlawed Consortium is quoted as insisting on unconditional release for all comrades.
As the case resumes today, we learnt the Defense counsel is poised to make a fresh appeal for bail for the 26 others being tried jointly with the Anglophone leaders.
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“Abardem or any other Anglophone leader is very dangerous and if released, they can stir public disorder.”
These were the words of the Prosecuting Counsel in the on-going trial of Barrister Walters Abardem, one of the Anglophone lawyers languishing behind bars at the Kondengui prison.
The Prosecuting Counsel was arguing against the motion of bail tabled by the defence counsels for his clients, when the case recently came up at the Yaounde Military Tribunal.
According to the Defence Counsel, the health of his client is deteriorating after police brutality on him that has resulted in his hospitalisation at the Yaounde hospital for a back problem.
It is based on his ill health that the Defence Counsel led by the President of the Cameroon Bar Association, Barrister Jackson Ngnie Kamga, pleaded with the court to grant bail to Abardem.
But the Prosecuting Counsel argued that Abardem was undergoing treatment and that it was more convenient for him to be in custody while the State takes care of his treatment.
Barrister Kamga and the other Anglophone lawyers are said to have further argued that Abardem was arrested alongside one Ngeka Aaron, a resident of Mutengene, and were both charged to court together.
The defence argued that the same court released Ngeka, but is refusing to do same for Barrister Abardem.
The case was adjourned to June 19 where Magistrate Abega of the Yaounde Military Tribunal would rule on the plea for bail.
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- Rita Akana
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The popular Cameroonian barrister revealed in an exclusive interview he granted to the Guardian Post Newspaper that, the only thing Southern Cameroons can achieve so far is ferderalism.
He said, for the Ambazonians to obtain independence, they need to wage a war against La Republique, which is impossible.
The reason he said so is because, they don't possess amunition that measures up to that of La Republique. Biya does not even want to hear about independence so, war remains the only impossible option according to Ben Muna.
Federalism as the barrister outlined, is the only option where a possibility lingers, even though it will take 100 bulldozers to shake Mr Paul Biya's opposing stand on the issue.
In the interview, the Southern Cameroon elite, made mention of the court hearing that is scheduled for the 7 June 2017. 28 detained Southern Cameroonians including Consortium leaders; Barrister Agbor Balla and Dr Fontem are due to appear in court this coming Wednesday.
Ben Muna in this case, shuns the motive which is aimed at granting bail only to the two consortium leaders, Agbor Balla and Fontem. He says its not right to treat the other detainees differently but rather they should be accorded even treatment.
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- Rita Akana
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Members of the Fako Divisional Conference of Traditional Rulers, who have been wrecked apart by infighting over who should take over the mantle of leadership of the South West Chiefs Conference (SWECC), are now blackmailing Chief Senator Nfon Victor E. Mukete of undue occupation of the SWECC presidential seat.
In an open letter to the South West Governor titled: Overdue and abusive occupation of the SWECC presidential seat by H.M Senator Nfon Victor E. Mukete of Meme Division, the Fako Chiefs write;
“Your Excellency,
With honour and revered respect, we are, once more, drawing your very high attention to the overdue and abusive occupation of the SWEC Presidential seat by His Majesty Senator Nfon Victor E. Mukete of Meme Division.
The 14th of May 2017 made exactly one year after the expiration of his mandate on the 14/5/2016. Despite all our efforts through letters and meetings with him, he has deliberately decided to give deaf ears to our several calls for the Elective General Assembly which is supposed to have been long hosted by Fako Division.
Instead of convening the General Assembly, he has rather opted, in complicity with some members of the outgoing executive, to stir confusion and anarchy amongst the ranks of the Fako Chiefs by challenging even decisions taken by our Conference. A vivid example is the case of some three (3) chiefs who were suspended and SWECC came out with famous disclaimer asserting that it’s only they who have the authority and mandate to sanction members when deemed necessary. This is a fallacy!
All of that was a calculated ploy to create the present stalemate while they continue to stay in office under the pretext that “Fako is not yet ready” to host the conference of the South West Chiefs.
Your Excellency,
We want to reiterate in very unequivocal terms that Fako Chiefs and their people cannot continue to be marginalised and trampled upon as if they are fools, by any Tom, Dick and Harry. It is even rumoured that HM Nfon Victor Mukete and his cohorts are planning to propose the hosting of the Elective General Assembly by another Division.
We cannot accept such an agenda and these are the reasons that again warrant us to prayerfully call on your personal intervention in your capacity as head of the Region to cause H.M Senator (Nfon) V.E Mukete to respect the SWECC Constitution and urgently arrange his handing over of the leadership to Fako Division as stipulated and provided in the Articles of Association.
While looking forward for your positive reactions,
Accept, Your Excellency, our usual respectful considerations to your office and person.”
Meanwhile, despite the above claims by the Fako Chiefs, the Fako Divisional Conference of Traditional Rulers has been in total disarray following the instruction of SWECC for them to provide a successor to Chief Mukete.
Several meetings that have been held in this regards have often ended up in a deadlock. During the first conclave that was held in Limbe, three candidates namely; Chiefs Samuel Epupa Ikom, Etina Monono and Johnson Njombe, expressed their wish to succeed the paramount ruler of the Bafaws.
But these meetings ended in disorder as the chiefs failed to settle for a unique candidates. Several other meetings have been held in this regard, but the chiefs have been unable to come to a compromise as intrigues, machinations, backbiting and witch-hunting have taken over the chiefs campaigns.
It is because of the tense atmosphere and the animosity that have animated the search for Chief Mukete’s successor that the Senator said that Fako is not ready and that it will be plausible for SWECC that a different Division host the Chiefs’ Conference since Fako Chiefs are not ready to bury the hatchet.
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- Abeh Vallery
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Political actors, especially of the opposition parties in Cameroon have expressed worries to board members of Election’s Cameroon (ELECAM) that witchcraft, corruption and intrigues may mar the 2018 elections in Cameroon, if the board members fail to pre-empt the situation.
They were speaking in the South West Region recently, during a consertation meeting with officials of the elections organising body.
According to the political actors, some political parties used witchcraft to deter voters from voting their preferred choices during the 2013 elections.
“We saw witchcraft practised on the eve of elections. When we reported to those concerned, nothing was done,'' one of the political actors, Agbor Ayukeagbor averred.
To him, rotating ELECAM officials will greatly mitigate the effect.
Speaking at the event, an ELECAM Board Member, Christopher TambeTiku, said ''ELECAM cannot be involved in issues of witchcraft.
According to him, anybody who thinks he or she is a victim of witchcraft should make a formal complaint to the legal department.
“Witchcraft is an offense, but it is not ELECAM to start investigating issues of witchcraft; we don't have that competence, '' he said.
The ELECAM Board Member said they might have been some electoral hitches in 2013, but asserted that the electoral management body has recorded significant improvement in the past few months.
He reiterated ELECAM’s neutrality; ‘‘we are neutral and want to make sure that there is a level field for all political parties to compete. We have no interest to support any political party. That is why I invoked the penal provisions of the Electoral Code that people can be prosecuted for electoral fraud and this year we will not only end at handing over people to the police, but see that they are prosecuted. In fact, some fraudulent militants were prosecuted in the Northwest,” TambeTiku said.
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- Rita Akana
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- Rita Akana
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Biya Article Count: 73
# Paul Biya and his regime
Explore the political landscape of Cameroon under the rule of Paul Biya, the longest-serving president in Africa who has been in power since 1982. Our Paul Biya and his regime section examines the policies, actions, and controversies of his government, as well as the opposition movements, civil society groups, and international actors that challenge or support his leadership. You'll also find profiles, interviews, and opinions on the key figures and events that shape the political dynamics of Cameroon.
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.# Southern Cameroons, Ambazonia
Learn more about the history, culture, and politics of Ambazonia, the Anglophone regions of Cameroon that have been seeking self-determination and independence from the Francophone-dominated central government. Our Southern Cameroons section covers the ongoing conflict, the humanitarian crisis, the human rights violations, and the peace efforts in the region. You'll also find stories that highlight the rich and diverse heritage, traditions, and aspirations of the Southern Cameroonian people.
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