By Atia Tilarious Azohnwi

Common Law Lawyers in Cameroon are at it again! This time again, they have addressed another memo to the Head of State, President Paul Biya in which they object the applicability of a Civil and Commercial Code within the Common Law jurisdiction of Cameroon.

The protest dated March 13, 2019 is signed by 101 Common Law Lawyers on behalf of their peers and dispatched by mail service to the following authorities: the President of the Republic of Cameroon, the President of the Senate, the Prime Minister and Head of Government, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Minister of State in charge of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, the President of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, the President of the Cameroon Bar Association, the British High Commissioner, the French Ambassador, the US Ambassador, and the Representative of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The memo reads in part: “We the undersigned Common Law Lawyers of the Republic of Cameroon vehemently deprecate the ongoing attempt to force on the two (2) English Speaking regions of Cameroon a Civil and Commercial Code which is at variance and in violent opposition to the tenets of the Common Law legal system.”

The Anglophone lawyers say the promulgation of such a Code will lead to civil, social perturbations and a destruction of the Anglophone body fabric and heritage.

The lawyers wonder why the French-dominant government in Yaoundé is so bent on harmonising the Civil Law and Common Law even when the constitution provides for a bilingual, bi-cultural and bi-jural Cameroon.

In a tone that betrays the anger in their pen, the lawyers remind government that even their master, France, is yet to harmonise her laws.

Hear them:  “We do reiterate that the laws in France are not harmonized. The applicable laws in Monaco are not the same as the laws applied in mainland France. The laws in the United Kingdom are not harmonised. The Landlord/Tenant law for example in Scotland is not the same as in England and Wales or Northern Ireland. The laws in the United States of America are not harmonised. There is the death penalty for capital murder in some states and abolished in others. Similarly in Canada the laws are not harmonised and we can go on and on.”

The lawyers tell government that it is extremely difficult to harmonise the two legal systems of the Civil Law which obtains in the eight French-speaking regions and Common Law which is applicable in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon.

One of the proponents of the protest averred that most of the laws harmonised thus far are civil law inspired, giving the impression that the state wants to completely erase Common Law. They cited the Penal Code, Land Tenure Ordinance, Labour Code and recently the Ohada treaty which Cameroon ratified as Civil Law dominated, with many of such harmonised laws begging for an English translation.

“We the Common Law Lawyers are vehemently protesting against the promulgation and applicability of the proposed Civil Law inspired Civil and Commercial Code, in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon where the Common Law is applicable,” the memo states in part.

They draw the attention of the Head of State to the “Common Law Lawyers Memorandum at Bamenda dated 15^th of May 2015”, which was served on the government decrying the persistent erosion and annihilation of the Common Law legal system.

Common Law Lawyers in Cameroon went on strike in October 2016 to protest government’s attempts to annihilate the Common Law practice in a constitutionally bilingual and bi-jural Cameroon. The strike came as a result of Government’s intransigence to the several complaints made by the lawyers of English descent.  From Bamenda in May 2015 to Buea in February 2016 an then Kumba on January 13, 2017, the lawyers expressed their grievances. But many say government has only taken cosmetic measures leading to a degeneration of a legit presentation of concerns to an armed conflict that is shaking the very fabric of the nation.

“Instead of translating the laws as requested, they went ahead to translate obsolete versions of the OHADA law,” a lawyer quipped.

They recommend that government should desist from causing the proposed Civil and Commercial Code from being applied in the North West and South West Regions. They urge President Biya to respond to their protest within a reasonable delay upon acknowledgment. It remains unclear whether the previous memo dated May 15, 2015 ever reached the President given that he had never publicly acknowledged receipt.

The March 13, 2019 memo bears 101 signatures (with more expected to sign) among them those of: Barristers Samuel Elad, Marian Ngunjo Shalo Weledji, Eta-Besong Junior, PM Tumnde, Henry Ngale Monono, Ebah  Ntoko Justice, Tangunyi Gilbert, Tanyi Thompson Ashu, and Ndi John Ndam.

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Fighting between Cameroon’s regular army and Anglophone independence fighters has left so many civilians trapped in the conflict. As events unfold, tensions are mounting as the two parties battle for legitimacy. This has led to a mass exodus from the conflict-hit regions to safer cities mostly Douala, Bafoussam and Yaounde.

The situation has remained stiff as both parties show strength, forcing the population to a dilemma as they no longer know what to believe anymore. The government is still to call for the much talked about dialogue that is highly awaited to put an end to the long lasting rift.

It was in late 2016 that Common Law Lawyers took to the streets a peaceful strike action against perceived attempts by the government to annihilate Common Law heritage in a constitutionally bilingual, bicultural and bi-jural Cameroon. Teachers in the country’s North West and South West Regions joined the lawyer’s peaceful strike same period, to also protest what they said were attempts to dilute the Anglo-Saxon educational system in favor of a French system. But the government in an attempt to stop these strike actions instead beat, maimed, arrested and shot at unarmed lawyers and teachers.

Since then, matters have gone worst, especially after the arrest of Barrister Agbor Nkongho, Dr. Fontem Neba and others considered to be moderates at the time. The events soon slipped into the hands of activists in the diaspora who have since shifted from talking to endorsing an armed rebellion to restore what they say is their independence and statehood.

It is in the same like that Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and other leaders of the pro-independence front otherwise seen as activists were arrested on January 5, 2018 in Abuja-Nigeria and illegally extradited to Cameroon. The search for many other activists has been on. The likes of Eric Tataw, Tapang Ivo, Mark Bareta, Chris Anu, Ayaba Cho Lucas and lots more have been declared wanted by government.

Members of the banned Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) that has long advocated for the force of argument to get Cameroon’s North West and South West into an independent state are also facing the law.

The story of Vincent Njikang Ngoe, a member of the outlawed SCNC who was among those who fell in the security dragnet in April 2018 in Limbe, has been revealed. He was among the many who have been clamouring for the restoration of the independence of the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon otherwise referred to as Southern Cameroons or Ambazonia.

Our investigations revealed that Vincent Njikang Ngoe who came from abroad last April 2018 to bury his grandfather was napped. He is said to have escaped detention under unclear circumstances, as mentioned by the security forces, and his whereabouts is still unknown. His family home in Limbe and Nyasosso has since been raided, and that of Nyasosso is reported to have been burnt down with his uncle, Kome Pius trapped inside and burnt alive. His parents have since escaped for safety. Barely few weeks after his uncle was burnt alive in Nyasosso, Vincent lost another member of his family last Monday 11^th and reports are still unclear as to the cause of his sudden dead. But rumours are directed to the non-disclosure of Vincent’s whereabouts. These and many others are cases of people who may never be seen again as the conflict in the restive regions persists.

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By Atia Tilarious Azohnwi

Tibor Peter Nagy Jr., the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs is contemplating taking the deepening crisis in Cameroon’s restive North West and South West Regions to an “international forum.”

Ambassador Nagy was speaking Tuesday, March 12, 2019 as he continued his tour of the African continent.

Top US Diplomat Suggests Taking Cameroon to Global Forum

The top United States diplomat to Africa says perhaps it’s time to take the deadly separatist crisis in Cameroon to an “international forum.”

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A visibly annoyed Tibor Nagy told reporters on Tuesday that “my heart breaks for Cameroon … I just don’t understand why this crisis goes on and on and on”, the Associated Press reported.

The U.S. assistant secretary of state for Africa however called for “open, unlimited national dialogue.”

Communication Minister and government spokesman in a strongly worded statement last week criticized Nagy’s earlier comments on the Anglophone crisis, accusing him of misunderstanding the situation and interfering in Cameroon’s internal affairs.

Common Law Lawyers in Cameroon went on strike in October 2016 to protest government’s attempts to annihilate the Common Law practice in a constitutionally bilingual and bi-jural Cameroon. The strike lasted for over a year.

Anglophone teachers in the country joined the strike on November 21, 2016 to uphold Anglo-Saxon values under threat in Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions. Same day, Mancho Bibixy staged a coffin revolution at Liberty Square in Bamenda to protest against the marginalisation and economic deprivation of Anglophones.

Matters came to a head on Thursday, December 8, 2016 when the population of Bamenda took to the streets to denounce the politicisation of a strike action they consider genuine and borne of longstanding grievances.

Days of ghost town have since been observed throughout the South West and North West Regions of the country.

The oldest member of Cameroon’s National Assembly, Hon Enow Tanjong in his speech yesterday called on the international community to show solidarity for Cameroon.

His words: “you who are the privileged witnesses of Cameroon’s efforts, may I, through you, appeal for the International Community’s solidarity, understanding and objectivity in the handling of the crisis in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon. It is no secret to everybody that the secessionists are committing violations of unparalleled magnitude; assassinations, arsons, forceful conscription of children, rape of young girls, abduction of school children and teachers etc.”

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Following the military raid in Bafut last Monday January 25, 2019 that led to the killing of over 14 youths in the sub division, many families have now joined that of Mami Lum Frida, a woman in her late 70s who is now confined to a wheelchair after her house was burnt in Bafut last year by yet to be identified men leading to three casualties. Though Bafut inhabitants claim the house was burnt by uniform men, The SUN cannot independently confirm who actually set the house on fire. The old woman lost her husband as a result of the fire incident, including two of her grandchildren Rene Nkwenti and Sylvia Nkwenti who died as a result of the fire.

When interviewed by The SUN, Mama Lum said the recent killings gave her nightmares as she lamented at her friends’ children’s funeral last week. She said the recent killings in Bafut brought to mind the deaths of her husband and grandchildren. She worried about the whereabouts of her grandson Princewill who escaped from Bamenda since in November 2017 just after the escalation of the Anglophone crisis into an armed conflict. Her story and many others remain underreported due to the escalating tensions and the ongoing war between La Republique and Ambazonia fighters in the North West and South West region of Cameroon. The fighting presents high risks to journalists who find it difficult to travel to the conflict and war zones. The SUN Newspaper correspondent met mama Lum at the compound of Pa Neba Mathias in Niko Bafut whose family was lamenting the loss of their two sons that occurred last Monday due to the military raid by the special BIR forces in Bafut that left over 14 youths dead, believed have been killed by the La Republique government. It has become totally unsafe for any Bafut teenage boy to walk on the streets Bafut.

During its interviews, The SUN later found out that Ade Christopher, Princewill Nkwenti, Niba Ambroise, and many others were some of the youths who took part in the October 1, 2017 mass street protest in Bamenda for the independence of Southern Cameroon which turned deadly. Many youths who took part in the demonstrations in all of Anglophone Cameroon have remained on the run with many arrested and locked up in maximum security prisons in Yaounde Cameroon. It was also discovered that the military actually used drones to take pictures of demonstrators which facilitated them to easily track them down later. Hundreds of youths have been whisked off in military trucks without any prior warning to unknown destinations since the October 1, 2017 Anglophone protests.

It is worth noting that Bafut has become the strong hold of Ambazonia restoration fighters with over 1000 fighters who now control the sub division. No administrative activities take place in Bafut and many of it youths have fled to different towns out of Bamenda and the North West. Children do not go to school in Bafut and most regions around; even birth certificates cannot be issued in the subdivision. Transportation activities have been grounded and people have to go about their daily activities on foot. Many children out of school help commuters transport their luggage in carts around the area due to the halt in the movement of automobiles.

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By Elah Geoffrey Mbong

Security officials have widened their dragnet to bring to book persons believed to have been behind the September 22 and October 1 protests that swept across the length and breadth of the Northwest and Southwest regions.

The security officers have the name of one Njie Becky-Mor Ashu. She is believed to have been one of those who masterminded the protests that swept through the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon on September 22 and October 1, 2017.

Our highly placed source hinted that the lady who should be in her early thirties has gone comatose as security officers ramped up efforts to install law and order. It is believed that she left the country before September 22, 2017 after laying the ground work for what was supposed to be a peaceful resistance against the high-handedness of Yaoundé.

Police sources suggest that Njie Becky-Mor Ashu’s role in the renewed calls for the independence of former West Cameroon is central.

The once-fringe Anglophone movement in majority Francophone Cameroon gathered pace in the last few months following a military crackdown on non-violent protests. The arrest of the moderate voices in the Anglophone struggle in the likes of Barrister Felix Agbor Balla, Dr. Fontem Neba, Journalist Atia Azohnwi and Mancho Bibixy led to the radicalisation of the moderates.

In a bid to further weaken the home wing of the movement, police have since launched a crackdown on documentation centres where pro-Ambazonia tracts, flyers and cards are printed.

This has sent most of those operating such businesses on the run, while many others have been rounded up in parts of the North West and South West Regions.

Njie Becky-Mor Ashu is among those accused of printing and propagating information put out by the likes of Atam Millan, Mark Bareta, Eric Tataw and Tapang Ivo Tanku who are expressing the desire for the independent state of Ambazonia or Southern Cameroons. She was actively involved in the printing of T-shirts, caps, membership cards and other paraphernalia for the separatist movement.

Those who have been rounded up by the security officials are said to be languishing in underground cells in Yaoundé, denied access to lawyers and family members. Sources say they may be tried at the Yaoundé military court for rebelling against the state. A death sentence is most likely to be served to them.

The unrest in Cameroon began in October 2016, when English-speaking lawyers and teachers in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon, frustrated with having to work in French, took to the streets calling for reforms and greater autonomy.

Cameroon is constitutionally a bilingual country with French and English as official languages; English is spoken in two regions that border Nigeria.

Protests by separatists prompted a violent crackdown by Cameroon’s military last year in which troops opened fire on demonstrators. Many others have since been detained under deplorable conditions without trial.

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By Wambo Emmanuel in Bamenda
After the arrests of some journalists in Bamenda who were later ferried to Yaoundé overnight, most Bemenda denizens and the North West population at large, including media men and women are now living in perpetual fear of being abducted by security officials for something they might have said or wrote.
A good number of journalists or comedians who used to inform the public on current happenings on the ongoing Anglophones crisis have reportedly had their programs cancelled or censored after the visit of the national communication team in Bamenda headed by veteran journalist, Peter Esoka. Recently, the home of one of the female journalist with one of the local radio station in Bamenda was visited over night by security men, allegedly from Yaoundé. Her home was ransacked after she escaped, abandoning her twin babies in the house.
The few Journalists who are braving the storm can be read or heard on air blabbering half truths. Others have abandoned the profession and have resorted to business, farming or just idling around and doing nothing.
Some North West elites, like the Fons, Senators, Parliamentarians and the National Chairman of SDF, Ni John Fru Ndi have raised concerns on the apparent stifling of the press to no avail.
Allegations are also rife that people are now using the Anglophone crisis to settle previous scores. A concerned member of the public told this reporter that “someone just needs to point at you to these security men from Yaoundé as a member of the SCNC or any of the Anglophone pressure groups and the next day you will find yourself in Yaoundé.”
Another person who also opted for anonymity said the fear and paranoia is so great that “To pick a call from either a friend or from a family member who either wants to know the state of the town, one must look left and right before answering. Any call you receive wherein the word ‘ghost town’ is mentioned might land you to Yaounde the next day; at times people’s phones are seized and searched.”

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