B arrister Nkongho Felix Agbor popularly known as Agbor Balla, of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) and President of the outlawed Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC) has said the effective devolution of power is foremost in the much awaited ‘special status’ to attend to Cameroon’s English Speaking regions. Regretting that the desire to achieve a Federation was not met at the Major National Dialogue, Barrister Nkongho Felix nonetheless attests that the discussions were frank, stating it was a right step in the right direction. He spoke exclusively to The SUN’s editor, NOELA EBOB BISONG in this worth reading chat. Read!
We are over two weeks after the Major National Dialogue. What is your appraisal of the event?
For somebody who participated, I can say the discussions were very frank, free, and honest; there was no taboo subject within the confines of the limitation of the topics that were supposed to be discussed. Unfortunately the selection of the topics was done by government; the appointments of the various commission heads, vice presidents and rapporteurs were done by government and also they decided on the commissions that were actually created. However, apart from that, the discussions were very very interesting especially the decentralisation commission where I was part of. It’s true that the ‘form of the state’ was not on the agenda but in the final report from that commission, they did mention that some people had raised the point that Federation will be the solution to the problem. It recommended a ‘special status’ which is not what those of us who stand for federalism will want, but I look at it as a long journey that we are going. We just started; the dialogue cannot solve the problems, but at least it is a step in the right direction. I’m more focused and interested in what will be in the special status; can we use what the Quebecers have as an example; could it lead to an amendment of the constitution to include the ‘special status’ of the North West and South West regions in the constitution; could the bill be passed in parliament come this November session so the requirements of the ‘special status’ is put in place. I think most people are not optimistic but rather enthusiastic but the debate in the Anglophone Media (online and offline) shows that people want to know what the ‘special status’ is, am also looking forward to see the content that will be in the ‘special status’.
Talking about the Anglophone public, there are some who do not believe in the recommendations of the Major National Dialogue, not even the awaited ‘special status’.
What can be done to bring these on board?
You see, the apathy, is not something that happened today, I think the average Anglophone is disappointed with the way governance is done; disappointed in the way we have been treated in this union. This is something which is not new. I can understand the disappointment, the frustration but I also look at the people who are suffering; I also look at the people who are tired, those that want a way out; how do we get the way out? No matter what would happen, whether its independence or federation, it will still have to be done on a table where people will have to talk and agree, so we will have to come to a position where we have a common interest. The time might not be now but definitely we will get there someday. I don’t expect that whatever decision we might have arrived at will not solve the problem! Those who believe that the dialogue would have solved the entire problem are living in their own world, the reality is that it would not have solved it but I think that having a series of dialogues will go ahead to find solutions. For example, the fact that the separatists did not attend is something that the government will have to address, that’s why the Swiss process is still ongoing. I had a meeting with the people in Geneva and I was told that the process is still ongoing. Government has to win the hearts of the people of the Southern Cameroons which over the years they’ve not treated them fairly and I think the first stage is on how the recommendations of the Major National Dialogue are implemented, so these and many other things will show whether government is sincere or not; however, from the standpoint of an average Anglophone, government is not sincere and I understand but I also think that if we need to find a solution, both parties will have to move from their positions of ‘my way or the high way’ because if each and everyone stands in his or her position, then the average person in the South West and North West will continue to suffer.
Prime Minister, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute has continued to be in focus even after the Major National Dialogue. How do you appreciate his role in the whole process?
I used to know the Prime Minister as my lecturer in the University and am sure many students liked him as a lecturer; he has a mastery of the law, his articulation of the English Language and he is a very easy-going person. He is a likable person, he is somebody who listens, one who wants things to work (find a solution) and I think that we should support his effort, though we might disagree with him. Of recent, there are people who don’t want things to work. I have been following recent media reports where some people are trying to fan some South West/North West flame which to me we don’t need at this point in time, incitement to violence and hatred against persons. I prefer to attack people’s policies, not people’s personality, that’s why I don’t look at the region where someone is coming from, I look at who you are because then if we start profiling people, it will be very stereotypical the way we look at things. I think PM Dion Ngute means well, if he is given the powers, he can at least try to find a solution but I also urge and challenge him to try and go beyond the MND to try as much as possible to meet some of the separatist leaders, to try and open up avenues where he can have a discussion with them so that some of the things he can get it first hand out of them. This is because at the end of the day, all of us need a solution; no matter what way we want it to come by, the fact remains that we do need a solution and the earlier we get a solution, the better for us.
Currently the armed conflict in Anglophone Cameroon has degenerated to a level where it is the ordinary civilians that are now paying the price. Being conscious of the turn-out of events after three years, do you have any regrets engaging the strike action back in 2016?
The whole idea of fighting for change, fighting against injustices, marginalisation, suppression and oppression is something nobody will regret fighting for and I think I will fight for that till I drop dead, because I think it’s an honourable thing to fight against these vices. The way things have turned out, where violence is perpetrated against each other by the people, where our own people are being kidnapped and where some people are no longer fighting institutions but are fighting either Anglophones or Francophones is something regrettable. I don’t think anybody likes what is going on, I think even some of the leaders in the separatist movement are not happy with what is going on because criminal gangs also have gotten into it, thieves have gotten into it. Amputating people’s hands, attacking CDC workers, how can that help in any struggle? These are things that any average sane person will condemn. In that light, all of us are not happy the way things are going and we want it to be done better. However, the reawakening of Anglophone consciousness, nationalism and patriotism and fighting for some of the things that matter, is not something that anyone will ever regret.
If you are called up as a member of the commission to build the content of the ‘special status’, what are some of the things you will put forth?
Anglophones will have to elect their governors; they will need devolution of power and resource management. The local councils should be given a lot of money, at least some reasonable percentage but also that the judiciary and the educational systems should be controlled by the people.