Politics
The government of Cameroon has come up with a list of witnesses to testify against Consortium leaders and other detained Anglophone activists. Receipt of the list was acknowledged by Barrister Evans Muna of the Muna & Muna Law Firm; leading defence counsel of the detained Anglophone Consortium leaders as reported by senior journalist,
Human rights lawyer Barrister Felix Agbor Balla, university lecturer Dr Fontem Neba and Mancho Bibixy will appear at the Yaounde military tribunal today to answer severe charges of terrorism and secession amongst others.
The activists jailed for organizing stay at home protests known as "ghost towns" against oppression and maginalisation of Anglophones were arrested on January 20, 2017 after the Anglophone Civil Society Consortium was outlawed by the government. Their trial which began last month was delayed without an official explanation. Though state prosecutors said they didn't have their complete list of witnesses.
The Goverment bench has now come up with a list of witnesses who will testify against the jailed leaders. The list we are told was handed to the defense counsel led by Barrister Ben Muna paving the way for fireworks at the tribunal today.
Receipt of the list was acknowledged by Barrister Evans Muna of the Muna & Muna Law Firm; leading defence counsel of the detained Anglophone Consortium leaders.
The witnesses, amongst them, Dr. kinge Njie, Fung John Ngum, Mr. Tala Michael Ndikum; are to testify against Barrister Balla and the other activists at the military junta in Yaounde today.
A college of more than 150 lawyers defending Balla and co have a tough mission of debunking the claims of the witnesses who are alleged to have been coerced by the government just to punish the Outlawed consortium leaders.
Amnesty International is leading mammoth calls for the detained activist to be set free unconditionally. Balla and co could face a death penalty if found guilty.
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- Rita Akana
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The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) repeats its call to the Government of the Republic of Cameroon to conduct the trial of Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor-Balla in a civilian court, without interference, and in adherence with international norms of legal and transparent due process. The trial, postponed on 1 February 2017 and again on 13 February 2017, is presently scheduled to be held before a military tribunal on 23 March 2017.
IBAHRI Co-Chair Ambassador (ret.) Hans Corell stated: 'The IBAHRI implores the Government of the Republic of Cameroon to observe the recommendations found in the Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa, adopted by the African Commission on Human and People's Rights in 2003, to which Cameroon is a signatory. Decisively, Principle L provides that "Military Courts should not in any circumstances whatsoever have jurisdiction over civilians." Attempts to conflate Barrister Agbor-Balla's actions with those of a terrorist in order to justify the use of such military tribunals are disingenuous, shocking and wrong, and pose a clear threat to the independence of the judiciary.'
Barrister Agbor-Balla was arrested on 17 January 2017 and held incommunicado as a result of his involvement in protests and strikes by anglophone lawyers and teachers in West Cameroon against what they perceive as the marginalisation of the anglophone minority. The barrister was charged with a number of offences, including incitement to secession, civil war and revolution, and 'Hostilities against the Fatherland' - some of which carry the death penalty on conviction. On the same day, the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium over which Barrister Agbor-Balla presided was outlawed.
IBAHRI Co-Chair Baroness Helena Kennedy QC reiterated: 'The arrest of Barrister Agbor-Balla by military authorities that now intend to prosecute, judge and sentence him is deeply troubling to the IBAHRI and the international community. That the military tribunal may be held in closed session is further cause for alarm. It is for these reasons that the IBAHRI is again compelled to intercede on Barrister Agbor-Balla's behalf, respectfully asking the Government of the Republic of Cameroon to abide by the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary and ensure that judicial proceedings are conducted fairly.'
She added: 'We also draw the government's attention to the rights enshrined in the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, as well as the UN's Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, that have so far been denied to Barrister Agbor-Balla. These include his rights as an individual and a professional to personal liberty, free expression, association, protection from arbitrary arrest and the right to a fair trial.'
The reasons given by the military prosecutors for postponing the trial of Barrister Agbor-Balla are: a coinciding funeral for senior Cameroonian military officials (1 February 2017), and to allow prosecutors to produce an updated list of witnesses (13 February 2017). The trial is now scheduled for today, 23 March 2017.
The IBAHRI has previously called for due process in the trial of Nkongho Felix Agbor-Balla. To read the previous statement, visit: tinyurl.com/hfp6hdq
The International Bar Association (IBA), established in 1947, is the world's leading organisation of international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Through its global membership of individual lawyers, law firms, bar associations and law societies it influences the development of international law reform and shapes the future of the legal profession throughout the world.
The IBA's administrative office is in London, United Kingdom. Regional offices are located in: São Paulo, Brazil; Seoul, South Korea; and Washington DC, United States, while the International Bar Association's International Criminal Court and International Criminal Law Programme (ICC & ICL) is managed from an office in The Hague, the Netherlands.
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- Rita Akana
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Hon CAVAYE Yegue Djibril will now celebrate his silver jubilee as Speaker of the National Assembly. Twenty five times he has been elected to lead the lower house of Parliament.
The MP from Mayo Sava division in the Far north region remains the oldest member of Parliament, spending 47 years, the age of former Ivorian Prime minister and now House speaker Guillaume Soro.
What is even more intriguing is why he has always won the election as House speaker with no rival either from the CPDM or opposition parties. When Cameroon concord put this observation to Hon Cyprain Awudu Mbaya he explains that it is a waste of time for the SDF to chose a candidate to challenge the long serving House speaker.
"How do u expect us to contest the House speaker when the ruling CPDM has a sweeping majority in the house? They have always put in mechanisms to block us from exercising our rights" he lamented.
Hon CAVAYE Yegue Djibril is a die hard member of the ruling CPDM party and enjoys so much support from over 145 MPs of the CPDM coloration. Besides prior to the election of bureau members, MPs of the party always meets with their hierarchy where strict instructions are given on who will stand . Thus dismissing any possibility of a rivalry within the governing party.
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- Tawe Gije nkfunji
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Honorable Wirba Joseph has finally broken the silence following reports that he has fled Cameroon to avoid arrest. See what he wrote via his official Facebook page below...
My Dear Sisters and Brothers,
The struggle of the people of West Cameroon is on course. I wish to welcome all of you to my new official Facebook page. You can also join the #WirbaForce on Twitter (@HonWirbaJoseph) and Instagram (@WirbaJosephM). This will enable me reach out to you and participate in your determined push for our freedom.
Let me take this opportunity to thank all of you, on behalf of our people, and from the bottom of my heart, for all your prayers, support, and unquestionable commitment towards our struggle.
I will also want to inform you that after I led the persistent hard push on the colonial government, their brutal military forces came searching for me. The order for my arrest was given by the Secretary General at the presidency of Cameroon in agreement with the Minister of Interior and designated the Chief of Police, Mbarga Nguele to execute. There were two names in that arrest order: WIRBA JOSEPH, SDF MP and AYAH PAUL ABINE! The execution date was January 20th, 2017! The Cameroon government's goal was to stop me from reaching Kumba, in the South West Region where I was to lead a follow up rally after the one in Kumbo, North West Region! The manhunt for me was thus launched and I am sure their main target was to assassinate me.
My experience from the 1990s when we fought in the streets to ensure the SDF party survived the brutal onslaught of our oppressors, helped me stay ahead of my hunters. My immediate goal was to stay safe in order to continue the fight for our freedom. All you need to know for now, is that l am safe and despite the overwhelming challenges of life on the run, my spirits are very high because of my firm belief that the time to seize our freedom is now! We will remain vigilant and smart in our strategies.
My brothers and sisters, l will not sleep, rest or have any peace as long as some our children lie dead and others hospitalized from the brutal guns of our oppressors; as long as some of our brothers and sisters are in jail, on the run, in hiding, or violently forced into exile! How can l have any respite when millions of West Cameroonians at home live the daily misery of man-made poverty under violent government oppression?
For now, social media presents a convenient forum, especially to those of you in the diaspora with unlimited access. It presents an opportunity for you and I to connect, communicate, and forge a stronger and united team to resist oppression and take back our freedom.
I will continue to remain honored by your commitment, participation and prayers.
Please feel free to share any communiques that are published on my page to as many sympathizers and supporters as you can to help advance our cause for freedom.
I wish you all good health and God's abundant blessings.
Stay blessed Hon. WIRBA.
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- Mbi James
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Hon Hilarion Etong, another francophone also maintains his position as first Vice President above Hon Monjowa Emilia Lifaka who is second Vice speaker
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- Rita Akana
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Well-wishers say the decision of the Former President of the Cameroon bar council to answer present at the Central investigation Unit of the National defense Secretariat in Yaounde may not be a wise one considering the massive and unlawful Anglophones arrests and detentions that have plagued people from the North and South west origins within the last 4 months of Anglophone unrest.
“It is better he stays away and be safe. He will contribute better while out of the country. Many people in the diaspora operate very well from there” Says a young Anglophone Cameroonian in Douala. In fact, now that the internet has been cut off from the 2 Anglophone regions, it is the diaspora that is carrying on with the struggle.” he adds.
Others are waiting to see whether the former Batonnier will stand on his words and come back to Cameroon to face what awaits him or will simple run away like many.
“This is the time for the Akere Muna to show his people that he is not a coward by coming back from South Africa and facing what awaits him boldly. If he stays away then this will only proof to the government that the best way to scare away the Anglophone people is to issue more convocations and threats” says a Douala based critic.
According to the Barrister, he understands the worries of many well-wishers who are asking him to stay away but says Cameroon is his home and he is prepared to face whatever awaits him. Any lawyer according to Akere Muna who is worth anything should not sit quiet on the face of suffering and blatant violations of human rights.
Many well-wishers seem to already know the end result but are still hoping that the Barrister will not follow the same fate like other activists.
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- Tawe Gije nkfunji
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# 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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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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