By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi
The head of the Fako lawyers Association (FAKLA), Barrister Agbor Balla Felix has called on the president of the Republic of Cameroon, His Excellency Paul Biya and his government to dialogue constructively with Cameroonian citizens in order to find long lasting solutions to the ongoing Anglophone marginalization. The former Anglophone detainee released the above statement to the press after a thanksgiving service organized at the Presbyterian Church Buea station to thank God for the release of some of the detainees by the President.
The Rev. Ekum Manfred drew his inspiration from Psalms 34:1-7 to deliver a sermon on the theme: “Thanking God in times of Difficulties”.
Rev. Ekum told worshippers to always and in all circumstances give thanks to God Almighty for all what happens to us.
“A lot has gone wrong in the society, the end time is near, so much evil and wickedness, some men of God have become money chasers and business mongers, the Anglo-Saxon culture has been raped and defiled, a lot has turned up-side-down,” the parish pastor of PC Buea Station said.
The reverend in his homily recounted all the highlights of the Anglophone crisis, its causes and effects. He summed the entire happenings when he said, “The rains fell before the clouds gathered. A lot of water went under the bridge.”
Rev. Ekum, like Agbor Balla, paid glowing tributes to all those who lost their lives in the course of the crisis and prayed that their souls should rest at the bosom of God Almighty.
Explaining why he had to recount the Anglophone crisis from alpha, the man of God said, he did so to show God’s intervention in it all. Reasons why the released detainees are strong and healthy after 8 months in jail and have come back to give God thanks and praises.
“If you want a place in the Sun, you must have blisters” he said.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish. We must be united and stand strong (Psalm 133:1). We cannot make omelets without making eggs but we cannot also break and burn down places because we want to fry eggs. We need to initiate constructive dialogue and not solve problems through violence or war. Our country is sick and we must find solutions to the sickness”. Rev Manfred pinpointed.
Continuing with the mighty sermon, Reverend Pastor Ekum urged the released detainees and all the Christians to look at the people who are behind and not those in front. “It is not what they have taken from you that count but what you have left that matters” he said.
Rev. Ekum’s message to government
He called on the government to eschew bitterness and listen to her people and release those still in detention. He equally called on all the ghosts to return to their graveyards and everything should move on smoothly. “We should repent and reconcile with one another for the good of tomorrow. Dialogue and understanding are vital instruments”. “Lord make us instruments of peace” he concluded.
Alongside the thanksgiving service, child presentation, monthly thanksgiving and the sacrament of the Holy Communion characterized the church service.
Addressing the Christians and giving his first public statement after their release, Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla thanked everyone who in their various capacities stood by them and helped them financially, spiritually and morally while they were in jail for 8 months. He expressed his sincere condolence to the families and friends of those who were shot and killed on Friday September 22 2017. He noted that their intention has never been to incite violence and create problems but rather to fight against injustice in the judiciary system and the systemic and sustained marginalization of the Anglophone minority in Cameroon.
He pleaded the remaining Anglophone detainees be released as soon as possible and everything should move on smoothly. Barrister Felix Balla said 8 months spent in jail has really not been easy but it has helped reinforce his beliefs and quest for justice and fairness. “I remain more than ever committed to stand alongside my community and my people in the face of adversity.
He ended his lengthy but enriching speech condemning the violence perpetrated by some unscrupulous individuals in the burning down of schools and public and private property. “The struggle is a peaceful one and requires peaceful measures. I believe in fighting injustice and the marginalization of the Anglophone minority is right and it is time to do right”….. He stated.
Godden Zama, one of the freed detainees expressed his sincere thanks to all especially family members and friends who supported him while in jail. He prayed that God richly bless everyone.