English speaking journalists rallying behind the Cameroon Association English Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ), have advised the body’s president, Simon Lyonga Lamolombe, to speedily resign. A huge segment of CAMASEJ members have been using different social media platforms and meeting grounds to echo their resignation claims

The president is accused of not respecting the body’s constitution, as well as not meeting up with his manifesto. Over and above, his suspicious silences amid gross human and professional rights abuse of English-speaking journalists is a cause for concern.

“It is quite embarrassing that Simon Lyonga cannot act in his capacity as president of CAMASEJ. Atia (Tilarius), Amos (Fofung), and myself, spent close to eight months at Kondengui maximum security prison, and CAMASEJ said or did anything about it. I called Simon from prison, and his response was that he was accompanying a corpse to burial, and that he will call me back. He never did, not even up to today. Simon Lyonga’s reign is a failure; he must resign. If his hands are tight giving his allegiance to government, then let him resign and go away,” Tim Finian, a journalist based in Bamenda said.

“Besides the detained colleagues’ issue, everything is going wrong for CAMASEJ. No General Assembly since Simon took over as president. All what he campaigned for, he has not touched even a single one. What kind of president is that?” Ndi Tsembom Elvis, another journalist added.

“Simon in his manifesto said Press badges will be printed for each CAMASEJ members. Till date, nothing has been said or done about that. I, serving as SG for the Douala branch, even collected members’ contribution for that purpose, but later refunded,” Nfor Hanson, a journalist based in Douala said.

Journalists question why the national body has been so dormant in carrying out activities, meanwhile, regional and divisional bodies have been very active.

“Is it that the national executive was limited to Yaounde? Is it that the numerous quated ceremonies were carried out by the Yaounde chapter or the Nat. exco? How many branch executive received a mobilisation letter from the president? How many Gas for this long? Where are the seminars and visits? Do you monitor the activities of the different branches? Do you have any report at all? Mr Simon Lyonga, you are a failed president, I urge you to resign,” Innoncent Yuh, a journalist based in Kumba.

Reacting to the various allegations, Simon Lyonga, says he has been genuinely acting in his capacity as the president. He blames witch hunting to be the cause of some people backstabbing him.

“When our colleagues were arrested, I met with a barrister who accompanied me to the judicial police department to secure for their release. However, we were told, their crimes have nothing to do with the profession. I came back and called for an emergency meeting where we unanimously opened an emergency relief fund. Unfortunately, some of our colleagues had already taking to social media to bash at me for not doing anything vis a vis the detention of our colleagues. It’s quite unfortunate,” Simon said.

Though Simon could not provide answers to all the allegations levied against him, he however affirmed there were some shortcomings in his leadership.

Meantime, he refuted commenting about his future as president of the largest journalist body representing the voices of the minority English speaking media practitioners.

Simon Lyonga was elected as president of CAMASEJ in a General Assembly held in Kumba on August 22, 2015

The election brought to the helm of CAMASEJ CRTV’s Simon Lyonga, who beat Franklin Bayern by 71 votes to 14. The election, which was by list, brought together over 100 media members.

Simon Lyonga took over from Tricia Oben of CRTV Douala who held the position for six years. Vice President, Larry Esong, Secretary General, Henry Kedjang, Assistant Secretary General, Takusi Carine, Treasurer, Nformi Sanda and Financial Secretary, Rose Obah. The assistant Financial Secretary, Richard Ndeh, Public Relations Officer, Bridget Ndip Asam Mbiwan, Organizing Secretary, Taryang Tabe and Auditor, Tita Gillian. In his acceptance speech, the newly elected President He said the national executive remains the administrative arm of the association while Regional and Divisional Chapters are the decision-makers.

Simon Lyonga promised that workshops will be organised to update the reporting skills of CAMASEJ members. He assured members that transparency and accountability will remain their watchword.

“I am humbled and will humble myself to be President and not ruler. Simon Lyonga noted, adding that “I count on all of you.”

By Lucas Muma,

Managing Editor – BaretaNews