Politics

Two female Boko Haram bombers have blown themselves up in Cameroon near a school in the country’s far north, a day after the terrorists warned in a chilling video that they were going to behead President Paul Biya.

Cameroonian newspaper, L’Oeil du Sahel, said the suicide attack took place in Mora, a northern town not far from the border with Nigeria where Abubakar Shekau’s men are still very strong.

The suicide attack occurred behind a high school full of students on Monday morning, but luckily, only the terrorists were killed, the newspaper said. 

On Sunday, a video showed Boko Haram men shooting presumably in the Sambisa forest, and a commander who was speaking in French was heard warning President Biya that he was going to behead him with his left hand.

He said the terrorists were on their way to Maroua, Garoua and Ngaoundere, as well as other Cameroonian cities to wreak havoc.

They displayed shoes and helmets and other military items they said were abandoned by the Cameroonian troops who were too afraid of them.

At least 150 soldiers and policemen have been killed while fighting Boko Haram in Cameroon and about 2000 civilians have been murdered there in over 500 attacks, including more than 50 suicide bombings, by those President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has branded the “godless, mindless” militants.

Last December, President Buhari declared that Boko Haram had been decimated after the fall of camp zero, once the military base for the terrorists inside the Sambisa forest in Borno state.

But recent incidents in Nigeria and Cameroon show that the war against those who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in March 2015 and have modelled their barbarism after the Middle East killers, is far from over.

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Simon Ateba

04.Apr.2017

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The chairman of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement has slammed the Biya regime for use of brute force, unlawful arrest, intimidation, extortion and gross violation of human rights in the North West and South West regions over the past five months. Maurice Kamto believes that the legitimate grievances of anglophone teachers and lawyers took a dramatic political twist because of government‘s intransigence purging out years of frustration under the weight of a dominant French speaking ruling class.

The firebrand politician and legal practitioner has condemned vices meted on anglophones insisting that, “…there is nothing that prevents us from talking about the form of the state. The attitude of the Biya regime is undemocratic and proves that the ruling class doesn't care about the demands of the masses.”

Kamto has criticized the international community for its “silence” which has instead given the government the powers to continue with unlawful arrest and intimidation of anglophones. “Neither the Secretary General of the UN, the Human rights Commissioner or the UN Security Council has made a statement on the plight of the people on the North West and South West regions of Cameroon.” He slammed the hypocrisy of the diplomatic community in the country who have sealed their lips in the face of injustice. “How can the IMF and World Bank propose solutions to the economic stalemate in the country without mentioning the reinstatement of the Internet in the anglophone Regions, a vector of economic growth? The international Community will take the blame for any chaos in the country.” He cried out.

The vocal critic reveals that there are plans by the government “black cabal” to take him off the political scene “by every means” for sympathizing with anglophones. These black cabinet in the midst of government is working tirelessly to nail him for terrorism and secession so he won't be part of the 2018 Presidential polls. He confirmed rumours that he and Akere Muna were enlisted to be questioned for trumped up charges. But his name was removed by the Presidency in order not to draw the attention of the international community, making them believe the crisis is purely an anglophone plot against the ruling establishment.

The cries of anglophones will not go in vain, he spat out. He is calling on the Biya regime to be open to frank dialogue and the international community to stop their hypocrisy and call President Paul Biya to the unconditional respect of human rights.

Reacting to the recent moves by Biya to solve the issues of Common Law Lawyers, Kamto says it is a clear demonstration that the Head of state is surrounded by bad advisers, people who came out to say there was no anglophone problem when the crisis broke out and made unpatriotic statements against the anglophone community.

The former Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Justice is one of the leading figures in the over 150 lawyers defending the outlawed Consortium leaders and anglophone youths arbitrarily arrested in the North West and South West regions.

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Rita Akana

04.Apr.2017

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Following the recent extensions of the GCE writing date and the GCE registration date by MINSEC and The Cameroon GCE board, many Cameroonians are asking one question: What will the children be writing in the hall? Others describe scenes played by MINSEC and the GCE board as really entertaining and could qualify for an Oscar.

While onlookers are waiting to see how the GCE examinations will be managed to ensure the usual quality, critics express their worries on the matter.

“I don’t know whether these so called leaders went to school at all. What are they expecting children from the North West and South West who have stayed away from school for more than 4 months today to write in the GCE? How can two weeks of catch-up classes make up for 4 months of no schooling. It cannot work even though they are trying to brandish it with a price tag” says a bitter critic.

Registered students say they have devised other means of studying but remain cautioned as only the end will justify the means.

“I and my friends have organized ourselves in a study group. We meet every evening to discuss and solve past GCE papers. At times we don’t know if we are on the right track because we don’t have anyone to guide us. I just pray to God and hope that we are doing the right thing” says an ordinary level student resident in the North West Region. 

Students who have not registered say they are not interested in the 2016/2017 GCE in Cameroon.

“Personally, I am not interested in the GCE of this year. I am a Science Student doing 5 subjects with 3 practical subjects. It is already April and schools have not started here in the South West. Everything being equal, I don’t think this year’s GCE will have any value” says a South West based A/L student.

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Tawe Gije nkfunji

03.Apr.2017

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The Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland has been urged to address the spiralling human rights violations in Cameroon, press President Biya to restore fundamental freedoms and refer the matter to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG).

In an appeal to Scotland, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)—an accredited body of the Commonwealth community—has expressed its deep concern over the ongoing political crisis, violation of human rights and the rule of law in the Cameroon. “It is now clear that the deteriorating situation in Cameroon merits greater attention from the Commonwealth,” CHRI said, adding that despite assurances by the Cameroon’s Minister of External Relations to the office of the Commonwealth Secretary General during a recent visit to London, “there is no discernible progress on addressing the human rights abuses being committed against the Anglophonic community in Cameroon.”  

The current crisis developed in early October of 2016, with a lawyers’ strike in Bamenda, the capital of the Northwest region, and unrest in the Southwest region capital, Buea. The unrest was sparked by the violent dispersal of citizens peacefully protesting the banning of two Anglophone civil society organisations, the Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNC) and the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC).  “Instead of engaging in dialogue, the government authorised the use of force to disperse protesters,” CHRI said.

The right to life, freedom of speech and expression, and freedom of assembly and association are guaranteed under the preamble of the Constitution of Cameroon; Article 6 (1) & 9 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) recognizes the right to life and prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life; and the Commonwealth Charter provides for rule of law, respect for protection and promotion of civil and political rights, and open dialogue and free flow of information. These rights were being violated by authorities in Cameroon. 

“The use of tear gas and live ammunition against protesters has so far resulted in four deaths and dozens of injuries. The police have also been responsible for arbitrary arrests and unwarranted detention. Since the protests began, hundreds have been arrested. Those who have not been able to afford bail continue to be detained at undisclosed locations. Furthermore, in an act of enforced disappearance, eight protesters remain missing.” The statement points out that “the targeting of the Anglophone judiciary, and arrest of a sitting judge run directly contrary to Latimer House Principles,” which assert the relationship between the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary.

In addition, CHRI said the Cameroon government was preventing access to information. “In January, authorities also blocked internet services in the English-speaking provinces.”

About the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

Headquartered in New Delhi, with offices in London and Accra, The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is an independent, international organisation committed to protecting and promoting human rights in Commonwealth nations. CHRI works towards strengthening access to justice (through prison and police reforms) and building a culture of transparent governance (through the Right to Information). CHRI also monitors human rights-related trends and developments across the Commonwealth and makes formal submissions to treaty bodies and inter-governmental agencies, including the United Nations Human Rights Council.

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Rita Akana

03.Apr.2017

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 Several online dictionaries establish that the word “Truth” is a noun, referring to “the quality or state of being true”. Wikipedia elucidates further that: “Truth is most often used to mean being in accord with fact or reality, or fidelity to an original or standard. Truth may also often be used in modern contexts to refer to an idea of ‘truth to self’, or authenticity”.

A lot of us reading this editorial may wonder why The Times Journal has chosen this seemingly uninteresting subject matter at this point in time when everyone is concentrating on key strategies on how Southern Cameroons should become the independent country it was voted at the United Nations to be since April, 1961. Some of us are even holding stones already to throw at the writer for daring to recall that truth ought to be an essential part of this struggle for liberation and greater freedoms for all.

The Times Journal has always been for the truth in every sphere of national life and nothing shall frighten us to think differently now. Let us begin by recalling that the greatest Dictionary of all times, the greatest source of wisdom of all ages, the Bible says some simple but compelling thing about how the truth should contribute in a liberation fight like this one. The Bible says; “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set thee free".

That message is clear and unambiguous; especially so because our struggle is to lay bare a truth which has been hidden from so many Cameroonians and the rest of the world over the years, until this time that our lawyers and teachers decided to take the bull by the horns so that all may see that Cameroon is a den of discrimination, marginalization, dehumanization, torture and bare-bone repression. We are struggling to let those out there who do not know, to take home the truth that we are a people, that the UN General Assembly voted for our independence in 1961 and that Southern Cameroons has recognized and documented international boundaries.

But we must admit one thing to ourselves; it is not possible and not even conceivable to say you can use falsehood to unveil truth. If we never thought about this, it is time to begin looking at this stark reality in the face, so that we can courageously begin to adjust to embrace the only veritable path that will bring real freedom; truth. Those who fought liberation fights with resounding success before us are still here in their writings to remind us that truth is a huge weapon that devastates the enemy more than anything else.

We all quote and like the venerated Mahamat Gandhi for his achievements that will remain relevant thousands of years from today. Hear what he said about the role of truth in struggles like this one; “Truth never damages a cause that is just”. These eight words are so potent that no one needs to elaborate on them. Perhaps adding another authority, William Faulkner’s view to it would bolster our understanding, he says; “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world…would do this, it would change the earth”.

Since October 2016 when this struggle started, a lot of falsehood has been perpetrated and that has scared a lot of converts and made them opponents of the revolution. It has been so easy to destroy people who look at us in the eyes and tell us that we are wrong by coming up with conspiracy theories to tag them as “agents of La Republique” or “someone who has been bought over with as mission to betray the ‘winning’ struggle”. It is obvious that once you are associated with “La Republique” gimmicks, you immediately become an enemy of the freedom of the people and everyone gets authorized to call you names at will.

Worse, by ignoring the truth, because we want to present to the world at all cost that we are united, that everything is alright even when it isn’t, we have succeeded in creating virtual and android monsters whose inconsistencies we now are afraid to point out because we run the risk of being blocked on ‘hot Facebook pages where things happen’ or we may be called blacklegs and named agents of the enemy. Hypocrisy is now the order of the day and we have seen so-called and sometimes self-styled leaders flicker between the federal option and outright self-determination the same way pop stars change dresses, and no eyebrows raised.

We have gradually created the type of leaders known only in the 17th century; the likes of Pope Pius IX who came up with the Dogma of Papal Infallibility. It stated that; “The Pope in discharge of his duties is infallible”. Now, dear friends, go to Facebook and see how those who dare come up with a truth that everyone knows but is refusing to say is treated; “No please, not here, why don’t you handle this one-on-one, make a call please, we don’t need this here, even if he insulted you, please ignore it because he is too important in this struggle, he is our leader, please let the teachers and lawyers allow these guys to continue the way they are going- they should wait and when things are over they can take back their organization” and the list is long.

It was these kinds of thought that pushed one-time US President Theodore Roosevelt to say; “To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American people”. President Roosevelt was a great man still acknowledged until this day and what he said is what a lot of us reproach of the current regime, but can’t afford to be different.

The message from Rick Riordam is that we need to think and act in a way that honours, not in a way that demeans us. He says; “It takes strength and courage to admit the truth”, so, because a lot of people think it is a weakness to make a turnaround and uphold a truth that holds the potential to save millions of lives, to guarantee a future for millions others counting on our ability to walk them out of slavery and servitude. The kind of fear is so nuclear and better described by Czestaw Mitosz when he says; “In a room where people unanimously maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot”.

Today, the reality is here; power struggles that ought not be are raging on, Facebook constituencies are creating and dismissing leaders of bodies whose basic texts and functioning they know nothing of, basic principles on the devolution of power in every organization have eluded us and even renowned and sometimes venerated men of law attempt to make us see our organizations that federate other organizations as belonging to single individuals who can suddenly decide that although someone were elected along with them, they can decide to endorse any other persons above them- what a shame!?

By Anglo-Saxon, a lot of people mean integrity; that is why we at The Times Journal buy the view of Barbara De Angelis when she notes “Living with integrity means: Not settling for less than what you know you deserve in your relationships. Asking for what you want and need from others. Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension. Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values. Making choices based on what you believe, and not what others believe”.

Here, we must regret that at a time things are taking a very determined turn, a lot of us still do not realize that boys have to be separated from men. That is why we still cheer when someone stands and says, on behalf of a body that has from inception stood for non violence, preferring to sell reason and not threats, that; “We are giving Parliamentarians of Southern Cameroons origin one month to resign and return home”, and when asked what he would do if they did not cooperate, he answered without wavering; “We will blackmail and threaten them to cooperate”. That is exactly what President Paul Biya and his men describe as “terrorism”.

At The Times Journal, we know the Southern Cameroonians who conceived this struggle never blackmailed nor threatened anyone to adhere; that is why the truth is urgently needed to rescue the struggle from the hands of opportunists and conspiracy theorists before we start finding it difficult to garner the global support we all need to attain our objective.

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John Mbah Akuroh I The Times Journal

03.Apr.2017

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Boko Haram terror group has released a fresh video in Hausa and French languages targeting Cameroon and mocking its special forces, and promising to behead the country’s President Paul Biya.

“I would behead you Paul Biya, it’s me that would behead you with the left hand, be ready,” a Boko Haram commander says in French displaying Mr. Biya’s picture in a news magazine, in a chilling video that also warned residents of other parts of Cameroon that the killers were on their way.

The man slams the magazine onto the ground and crushes Mr. Biya’s face with his leg, saying “I would behead you, imbecile, sluggard!”.

The word sluggard means a person who is habitually inactive or lazy. Mr. Biya spends months abroad and at over 80 years old, he has never visited Cameroon’s far north since Boko Haram has been wrecking havoc and killing many of his countrymen in three years.

The video is about six minutes and thirty seconds long and shows intense shooting by the ruthless terrorists presumably in Nigeria.

In the video with French language, the first of its kind, a man tells residents of Maroua, Cameroon’s far north capital, and those in the northern region capital of Garoua, and Ngaoundere that they were coming for them.

He shows shoes and helmets and other military items reportedly belonging to Cameroonian soldiers and says they were abandoned by the troops terribly afraid of the terrorists.

“These are their shoes they left behind, these are their helmets they left behind, these are their mats for prayers they left behind. They are fighting God and praying again? I do not understand why you’re still praying?” the Boko Haram terrorist is heard saying in French.

“We are ready to arrive. We are on our way to Maroua, Garoua and Ngaoundere,” the man says, naming three capital in northern Cameroon.

“We are on our way to Ebolowa, Yaounde, we will arrive in God’s name,” he says mentioning the capital of President Paul Biya’s region in the South and the country’s capital itself in Yaounde.

The man shows identity cards belonging to Cameroonian citizens. One of the identity cards he displays to the camera he says belongs the minister of defence.

He said he would behead Cameroonian President Paul Biya with the left hand, and calls him the bigger Christian. Mr. Biya is a catholic who often goes to church in Yaounde.

At least 150 Cameroonian soldiers and policemen have been killed by Boko Haram while about 2000 civilians have been massacred there since 2014 in over 500 attacks, including more than 50 suicide bombings. Sixty other suicide attacks were not successful and killed no one else but mainly the attackers themselves.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced and thousands of boys and girls have been kidnapped and never seen again.

In Nigeria, more than 25, 000 people have been murdered by members of Boko Haram President Muhammadu Buhari has branded the “godless, mindless” militants.

At least 2.5 million civilians remain displaced in Borno and Adamawa states in Nigeria and the Chibok girls abducted in 2014 remain missing till date, although about 21 of them have been found out of 276.

In the latest video in Hausa language, the sect seems to focus again on Cameroon although it shows shootings reportedly in Nigeria.

President Buhari declared in December that Boko Haram had been decimated and the remaining fighters were on the run. But recent incidents, including the killings of many soldiers since that high profile declaration, show that the sect that pledged allegiance to ISIS in March 2015 is far from being defeated, rather, it seems to be emboldened in recent months and has been modelling its barbarism after the Middle East killers.

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Simon Ateba

03.Apr.2017

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