The African Bar Association (AFBA) on the 19th of January 2017, in a press statement condemned the arrest and illegal detention of Barrister Nkongho Agbor Balla and others by the government of Cameroun. It should be noted that Barrister Nkongho was arrested following government’s ban of the Anglophone Civil Society Consortium and other civil society organizations in West Cameroon. Barrister Nkongho is the President of the Fako Lawyers Association (FAKLA), President of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium and the Vice President of African Bar Association for Central Africa.
He was arrested alongside the Secretary General of the Consortium Dr.Fontem Niba who were taken to an uncertain destination. Sources later confirmed they are on detention in Yaoundé. AFBA insisted on the fact that the arrest and detention deprives them from their rights to legal representation, medical attention and other social facilities. In this regard, they strongly condemned the said arrest and illegal detention and call for their immediate and unconditional release.
Furthermore, AFBA showed great concern to the events that have been occurring for several months now in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon. They acknowledge grievances raised by the Anglophone Common Law Lawyers and Teachers as well as the entire people of West Cameroon. Being aware of the unheeded requests made by the lawyers and teachers on behalf of the entire population of West Cameroon, coupled with the non-functioning of schools and institutions in Anglophone Cameroon, and with the loss of lives and destruction of properties, AFBA hereby calls on the government to return to an effective dialogue that would mitigate lasting solutions to the problems raised.
They further pledged their support and willingness to help in the dialogue process. Finally, AFBA emphasized that all parties involved should exercise restraint in their activities. It should be noted that this statement comes a day after the African Union had expressed concerns on the ongoing crisis. This statement goes a long way to encourage the people of West Cameroon that their leaders will be released and their problems shall be eventually mitigated.
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International pressure should be brought to bear on the Biya’s callous tyrannical government to unconditionally release all people of Southern Cameroon during peaceful non.violent exercise of their rights.
He should be arrested for ear.crimes, unlawful arrests, detention and inhumane torture and rape perpetrated on the people of Southern Cameroon.
He must be compelled to allow southern Cameroonians to determine their own destiny. He and his vicious military must be held accountable for war crimes committed against unarmed non combatants. All southern Cameroonians are living under self imposed house arrest because their streets have been militirialized by Biya’s armed forces.
It’s not only evident but certain that there’s no turning back. The enslavement of the free and peace loving people of Southern Cameroon must stop now at all costs. NEVER AGAIN. FORWARD EVER BACKWARD NEVER.