Some 40 journalists of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ have been schooled on the importance of upholding historical facts while reporting on the socio-political crisis in the North West and South West regions of the country.
This was during an intensive one-day capacity-building workshop held last Saturday September 11 at the Mountain hotel in Buea organized by CAMASEJ. The training focused on understanding Cameroon History for better reporting of the crisis in these two regions and covering the COVID-19 pandemic in the two troubled regions.
One of the facilitators at the workshop, renowned University don and historian, Prof Julius Victor Ngoh traced Cameroon’s History from 1953 until date, while focusing on important historical facts that journalists and the public often get wrong which in one way or the other escalates the crisis.
A typical example is the 1972 referendum on which Prof. Ngoh took timeout to correct. To him, the widely held view that there were only two ballots “Oui” and “Yes” (the same thing) is inaccurate and false. He stated that there were actually two ballot papers, the white for the “Yes” translated as “Oui” and the black for the “No” translated as “Non” though he indicated the latter were few in number.
The former Registrar of the University of Buea further stated that Southern Cameroons was never an independent State before it joined La Republique as claimed and advanced by those who want separation.
Prof Julius Ngoh
“I have heard several people say that Southern Cameroons had independence before October 1961 and they say we are fighting for the restoration of our independence. No, you cannot say you want something to be restored when you did not have it. Southern Cameroons had independence upon joining the Republic of Cameroon. It is important to know the history,” Prof Ngoh said.
“Not knowing the history and telling the history the way it was, there is the tendency of misinterpreting and aggravating the situation. Some of those who have taken up arms did so believing that what they are doing is correct,” he added.
He stated historical facts establishing that though Southern Cameroons was rich in mineral resources, it was not economically viable to stand on its own, reason why back then the separate State option was very unpopular.
The historian regretted that after marriage between Southern Cameroon’s and La Republique was consumed, the latter’s political decisions, miss management and poor governance with deliberate moves to wipe the identity of English-speaking Cameroonians slowly but surely led the country into the current mess.
A view supported by Dr Vitalis Munja, another facilitator at the workshop. He and Prof Julius Ngoh are unanimous on the fact that the fighting and killings currently going on in the two regions will never solve the situation nor draw the attention of the international community as wished.
“We are orphans. No diplomatic service has been able to recognize or table this before the UN Security Council…The people who started this, teachers and lawyers are back at work, so others should think twice…” Dr Munja said.
Participants at the workshop
He challenged journalists to be truthful, impartial, fair, base their write-ups on historical facts and above all put the interest of the people first as they report the ongoing Anglophone crisis that is entering into its fifth year.
It is worth mentioning that as the crisis continues to rock the North West and South West regions, journalists in the said regions remain targets in their day-to-day reporting. Some of them have been victims of abductions and others received stray bullets in the course of reporting on the conflict.
In a bid to have its members safe in such a hostile environment, CAMASEJ thought it wise to include a training on staying safe in a hostile environment presented by Amindeh Blaise Atabong, an international freelance and award-winning journalist.
The journalist outlined tips on how to stay on alert to guarantee ones protection while reporting in conflict zones.
CAMASEJ national President, Jude Viban
The workshop, organized with the financial support from the Prime Minister’s Office and UNESCO had as objective to drill CAMASEJ journalists on some important historical facts and equip them with the necessary tips to accurately report during pandemics and in hostile areas.
“We realized that the crisis that has been going on for more than four years now is based on the history of our country. We as reporters need to know and master the history and master the facts because as journalists ours is to report the fact…” Jude Viban, CAMASEJ national President said.
“When we noticed that in most of the conversations online, there are a lot of deliberate lies about our common history that sometimes find a soft landing with journalists who do not know what the real facts are, we decided to provide those facts to trigger the minds of journalists to go for further reading, further investigations that will help them better report the conflict…” He added.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Jude Viban promised to organize more training sessions to empower members on other aspects where there is a knowledge gap for a better reporting of issues of the time.
Ariane Foguem
Ten brand new haemodialysis machines have been acquired by the Yaounde General Hospital to step up the number of patients’ intake that stood at 200 daily, largely insufficient to attend to everybody.
Patients suffering from kidney-related diseases in Cameroon’s political capital, Yaounde can now breathe a sigh of relief. The haemodialysis centre of the Yaounde General Hospital has been enriched with ten brand new dialysis machines, bringing the number of machines available to 22.
The equipment that will step up the treatment of patients with kidney failure was inaugurated Wednesday September 15 by the Minister of Public Health, Dr Malachie Manaouda.
The machines come just in time to attend to some hundreds of kidney failure patients in Yaounde, some of whom used to go for days and at times weeks without a single dialysis session due to insufficient machines.
The hospital that has the largest haemodialysis unit in Yaounde was in perpetual wants with only 12 machines attending to dialysis needs of about 200 patients daily, insufficient according to some hospital staff regarding the number of patients.
According to Dr Aristide Nono Tomta working at the haemodialysis unit, the 12 machines available often broke down due to overuse, making it more difficult for them to attend to patients. He indicated that with the new digital and modern machines, the unit’s capacity will be upgraded as it will ease and make treatment faster.
With the 22 machines, the unit will move from 1,500 to run 2000 dialysis sessions per month.
Thanks to this acquisition, the Government of Cameroon can rest concerning the treatment of dialysis patients in Yaounde, who for the past months were fond of protesting poor treatment and equipment shortage.
Health authorities had indicated that arrangements were been done to acquire new haemodialysis kits and that the Coronavirus was making it difficult to import the machines from suppliers abroad due to travel restrictions and the economic slowdown.
Dialysis was introduced in Cameroon in the early 1980s, and included both peritoneal and hemodialysis. However, hemodialysis has been the only available modality of renal respiratory therapy for over two decades now
As at today, statistics from the Ministry of Health have it that the country has about 2,500 patients with acute kidney infections, up from 400 in 2012.
Ariane Foguem
The population of Mayo Binka in Nkambe, Donga-Mantung Division, one of the most hard-hit areas by the Anglophone crisis in the troubled North West region of Cameroon have been challenged to resist the fear brought about by news of soldiers leaving the area amid separatist excesses.
In a video that has gone viral, a local authority is spotted begging the population, (some of whom are children in uniforms who were probably removed from classes by their parents) to stay strong, believe that together they shall overcome and return to their normal activities in pidgin English.
“Population, we represent our own security. Those in the bushes are our children, our brothers. We cannot accept that they come and destroy our village. We will stand strong and protect our children, let them go back to school. This situation should not instil fear and panic in you…”
“Whether the military is there or not, we will not allow our village for terrorists to come and destroy it. We will stand firm. Before the military came, we stood strong…”
“I therefore call on the population to be calm, school children to go back to their various classes and continue their lessons. Parents who went and removed their kids from school should go back with them.”
After alleged news of soldiers leaving Nkambe in the Donga-Mantung, one of the Divisions in the North West region that has recorded several cases of separatists and military attacks, the panic-stricken Mayo Binka population rushed to schools that have been the target of Ambazonia fighters lately to remove their children.
Others are reported to have packed their things to leave the village and move over to neighbouring villages, which according to them would be more secured compared to Binka.
Ariane Foguem
A 22-year-old girl on board a public transport bus is reported to have lost her life after gunmen believed to be separatist fighters opened fire on the vehicle as it plied the Buea-Kumba highway in the restive South West region of Cameroon Tuesday September 14.
According to local sources, the vehicle was caught in the middle of a gun battle between soldiers and Ambazonia fighters around Mbalangi, a village along the Muyuka-Kumba highway.
The victim whose only name Agence Cameroun Presse got as Vanessa was unlucky enough as a bullet missed its way through their vehicle and hit her fatally. Meanwhile four other passengers on board the transport bus sustained injuries.
It is reported that Vanessa had left Limbe to attend the funeral service of her friend's Dad in Kumba before the unfortunate incident.
This sad incident occurred a day before the start of a rumoured lockdown announced by one of Ambazonia Interim Governments, led by Sako Ikome in the North West and South West regions.
Few hours after this announcement, members of the Ambazonia Defence Forces led by Ayaba Cho Lucas took to social media to denounce it, qualifying the decision as punishment on the population of the regions.
In a statement, the Interim Government said the only lockdown that remains in place is that of Monday. “As a Government, the safety and security of our people in ground zero is our utmost priority and your Interim Government would always consult with our self-defence heroes before making public announcement that affect the lives of our people in ground zero…” Part of the statement read.
In many of such instances, separatist leaders openly displayed their disagreement over the management of affairs in the North West and South West regions that have been suffering from an over four years long socio-political crisis.
Rumours about this said lockdown is reported to have scared some Bamenda city-dwellers. The Guardian Post in its Wednesday September 15 edition reports that most families rushed to the market yesterday to buy foodstuff, meanwhile hundreds of others were spotted scrambling to buy tickets at major bus stations to get out of town.
The same phenomenon was reportedly observed in Kumba, South West region where the streets this Wednesday are deserted.
Ariane Foguem
About two cases of civilian assault on police officers on duty have been recorded within the past two days, barely 72 hours after the Minister of Territorial Administration threatened to sanction such “excesses”.
The warning given by Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji against civilian assault on police officers on duty last Friday September 10 seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
Barely 72 hours after, about two of such cases have been recorded, the latest being this Tuesday September 14. In a video that has gone viral, a man is seen fighting a police officer as both trade insults in the middle of a crowd of onlookers.
“This irresponsible behaviour towards the police is unacceptable," Minister Atanga Nji said last Friday during a press conference. "It should be understood that the police are at the service of each and every one under the esteem guidance of the head of state, Paul Biya. No person, regardless of their social status, for whatsoever reason has a right to assault a police officer on duty.”
“If any individual is caught assaulting a police officer…, there is no point trying to escape after such an act because a hungry snake shall come for you in your hideout.” He added.
This warning against civilians according to many Cameroonians has given more rights and powers to police officers to go ahead with their “excesses, brutality and corruption”.
According to Minister Paul Atanga Nji, if any civilian is victim of an abuse by a security officer, he or she should send complaints of alleged misdeeds to their hierarchy and disciplinary actions will be taken instead of resorting to violence because it will only lead to further violence.
A point many have described as time and money wastage because police officials seldom and to a greater extend never investigate such cases.
Speaking last Friday, the Territorial Administration boss revealed that at least 15 videos of civilians refusing police orders and attacking officers were shared on social media platforms within the past two weeks.
He added that in all of these cases, the police force confirmed its officers were the victims. Whatever be the case, many are those who have advanced that “police brutality and excesses” on civilians have lasted too long and the time for a change is now.
Ariane Foguem
About fourteen people including a civilian, soldiers and separatist fighters have reportedly been killed in Cameroon’s restive North West region in less than 24 hours.
The killings occurred Sunday September 12, following the detonation of an improvised explosive device targeting soldiers on the one hand and gun exchanges between soldiers and separatist fighters on the other hand.
The explosive device implanted in Kikaikelahki, a locality in Bui Division detonated when a military armoured vehicle on board seven elements of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR stepped on it, killing the seven soldiers on the spot as the armoured vehicle shattered into pieces.
The shattered vehicle reports say was among others in a military convoy returning from Ndu in neighbouring Donga Mantung Division where they had retrieved the corpses of two of their colleagues killed in Chounghe, Mesaje subdivision a day before.
Cameroon News Agency had it that their movements were monitored as they made the first stop at a Total Filling Station in Ndu to repair a deflated tyre. Those that perished were three Sergeants, three master Corporals, and one 2nd Class grade element. Many others were injured, and backup came by air as they were lifted by helicopter.
Later in the day, gun exchanges between soldiers and separatist fighters reportedly led to the death of one civilians.
Early Monday morning, the population in Bamenda woke up to discover four corpses lined up at the Finance Junction. Three other corpses were discovered not far from the Finance Junction. It was alleged that the victims are separatist fighters killed and dumped there by soldiers. The military is yet to react to this information.
Meanwhile this Tuseday September 14, Bamenda city dwellers woke up to disturbing scenes. Reports from the area say coffins and charms have been displaced at major road junctions of Mulang, Rendezvous, Old simplicity Ntarinkon and city chemist.
Ambazonia fighters who suffered heavy human losses over the weekend are believed to have displaced the above-mentioned objects in what has been described as mysticism to revenge the killing of their fellow fighters.
Ariane Foguem
The Nigerian separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has disclosed that Biafra and Ambazonia in Cameroon are at the threshold of their collaboration in the struggle for independence.
In a statement by the Biafra group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday September 12, it says the Nigerian Government and its Cameroonian counterpart met recently to plan ways to frustrate any attempt by IPOB and Ambazonia leaders to come together because any such agreement would be a nightmare to both nations.
According to the Biafran group, Cameroon and Nigeria enjoy the spilling of the blood of their innocent citizens and that Nigeria’s Buhari facilitated the meeting with the delegation from Cameroon, while hiding under claims it was for security and border control.
The statement makes it clear that no matter what the Governments of Nigeria and Cameroon will put in place to stop the two separatist groups in their moves to obtain independence, they will not succeed.
“The meeting in Abuja between both countries shows the fear of the agreement between Biafra and Ambazonia. The agreement between the two emerging nations has become a nightmare for Nigeria and Cameroon but unfortunately, there is nothing they can do to stop their emergence…” Part of the statement reads.
"Biafra and Ambazonia have been divinely ordained to come, and they are at the threshold. No antics of Nigeria and her partner in crime can stop Biafran and Ambazonia actualisation.” It further reads.
The group is sure that the only way out for peace to dwell in the Sub Saharan region would be by letting them get their independence. “The independence of Biafra and Ambazonia and Biafra are the only things that can guarantee peace in the gulf of Guinea and the African sub-region because they are the countries that can guarantee peace in the region.”
It has thus called on world leaders and the international community to guarantee referendums for the separatist groups to peacefully break away from their mother nations. “We are also calling on world leaders and the international community especially America, Israel, European Union and civilised nations across the globe to prevail on Nigeria and Cameroon to allow Biafra and Ambazonia to conduct their referendum to decide their fate.”
“The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari and Paul Biya of Cameroon should be held responsible for whatever happens to Biafrans and the good people of Ambazonia and Biafra.”
The Biafra group ended by confirming it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the self-proclaimed State of Ambazonia to see into it that both “nations” obtain independence.
“We signed MOU for collaboration in our struggle for independence. We shall continue to work together as brothers and the oppressors understand our resolve to synergise, hence their morbid fear and anxiety. The agreement and MOU have come to stay and nothing can change it.”
It is worth mentioning that after news of a possible alliance between Biafra and Ambazonia groups went viral last April, the later distanced herself from the reported association, indicating the claim was propagated by opponents who intend to place a wedge between their movement for an independent nation and the Nigerian Government.
Ariane Foguem
A heated debate has been on on social media platforms, especially Facebook on whether or not military men are qualified enough and supposed to give lessons to kids in the troubled regions of the country while carrying guns along.
This comes after images of an element of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, popularly known as BIR carrying a gun while giving Mathematics lectures to kids visibly less than ten-year-old went viral.
Commenting the pictures, some internet users held the view that most of the soldiers are “school drop outs” and as such cannot offer quality education to the children. Others have advanced security reasons to denounce the action, indicating that no kid is supposed to study in an unsecured environment, where the same military men teaching parade with guns all around.
“How much pedagogy do these guys master. Besides, most of them were recruited on the fact that they were successful in the physical and medical tests. You have friends or relatives in the BIR, we both know that some of them are school dropouts. So what are they teaching to the children, brutality I suppose…” An internet user drooped as comment.
“This is arrant nonsense. You cannot go parading in a class carrying a gun saying you are teaching. Teaching what? Just see those kids. Very innocent…” Another one bounced in.
Contrary to the above, others believe military men are more than fit for such a job in an environment that compels teachers to stay home. “We have medical doctors, teachers, philosophers, mechanics, engineers, lawyers, nurses, business tycoons and so many in the BIR and military. This image is super cool for not any kind of human is given a calk.” One road
“I don’t know what the poster is thinking but this is the best thing I have seen on Facebook concerning the Cameroon crisis. Respect to the BIR.” “All is see is happy kids in a classroom. Very happy to be in school. Period!” “Isn’t it good? Instead, for our children to be at home and become rebels, illiterates…this is good. I applaud the BIR” Three others added.
It should be noted that this is not the first time images of the military in Cameroon’s troubled regions offering lectures go viral. Ever since separatist fighters began using threats to keep children and teachers away from classrooms, the military has been substituting itself to ensure those who brave insecurity and get to school are educated.
Reports from the two troubled regions have it that this year, the situation is much more different as a good number of schools that had had their doors closed for the past three to five years welcomed students as some of the rebels, for the first time, have indicated the children should be spared from the close to five years conflict.
Ariane Foguem
Two female Government teachers are reported to be currently in Amba captivity in Nkambe, a locality in Donga Mantung Division, troubled North West region of Cameroon. The latter are asking for the sum of FCFA 6 million to release them.
The families of two female Government technical teachers in Nkambe have been without news on their whereabouts since Friday September 10 when they were reportedly abducted by gunmen believed to be Ambazonia fighters.
According to Cameroon News Agency, the two women were allegedly kidnapped for going to school to teach. Their abductors we learned are demanding FCFA 6 million to release them.
One of the two teachers is a nursing mother of a four months old. Reports say before her abduction, she had her matriculation number suspended for not showing up in school.
Since the crisis in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon became violent, kidnappings have been the order of the day in some parts of those two regions. Teachers have been victims of this. Some were released and others killed in captivity.
Last year, eleven of them were kidnapped from a school in Kumbo, in the Bui Division of the North West region after gunmen raided the area. After spending two days in the hands of their captors, the kidnapped teachers regained their freedom.
The kidnapping came days after the murder of seven schoolchildren in Kumba, South West Region by gunmen four of whom were recently slammed death penalty by the Court in Buea.
This violence on teachers and students have been described by many as way to scare parents from sending their children to school in the regions as non-State armed groups continue to battle with Government forces to obtain the independence of the regions.
The regions have been marred by protests and violence since 2017, with residents saying they have been marginalized for decades by the Government and the French-speaking majority.
The violence over the last three years has claimed an estimated 3,000 lives and caused the displacement of over 730,000 civilians, according to Human Rights Watch.
That notwithstanding, back to school in the two regions this year is said to have witnessed some great positive changes.
Ariane Foguelm
The Government of Cameroon through the Minister of Territorial Administration has condemned the recent cases of civilian assault on police officers on duty and promised to henceforth sanction any of such "excesses" by the former according to the law.
Publicly attacking a police officer or any other security officer on duty in Cameroon will henceforth be considered as a casus belli (an event or action that justifies or allegedly justifies a war or conflict) and therefore sanctioned accordingly “If any individual is caught assaulting a police officer…, there is no point trying to escape after such an act because a hungry snake shall come for you in your hideout.”
This is the essential message of a statement issued by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji this Friday September 10 on the recent cases of physical attacks police officers have suffered in the hands of angry civilians who decry excesses from the law enforcement officials in some of our big cities, including Yaounde and Douala.
In the statement, Minister Paul Atanag Nji says that for quite some time now, the public in general and administrative authorities in particular have been decrying violence against police officers on duty all over the national territory.
“This irresponsible behaviour towards the police is unacceptable.” The statement partly reads. “It should be underscored that the police is at the service of the population, and more specifically at the service of each and every one.” It further reads.
Minister Paul Atanga Nji reminds that the Cameroonian police is a well-structured and well-organized corps and as such, in an event of any disagreement over whatsoever issue between a police officer and an individual, the latter should address his or herself to the police hierarchy and not resort to violence as has been the case recently.
He further reiterates that insulting or assaulting a police officer on duty or refusing to obey instructions is inacceptable. “I will like to reiterate once and for all that the police uniform belongs to the State and not the individual wearing it. Therefore, it has to be given due respect by all and sundry…Disrespectful and derogatory behaviours towards security officers shall be sanctioned accordingly, as provided by the law.
As far as these sanctions are concerned, the statement states some sections of the Cameroonian law punishing assault on public servant, including Section 156 (2) which states that where the force is premeditated or where it results, intentionally or otherwise, in harm within the meaning of Sections 277 or 280 of the code, the punishment shall be imprisonment to from five (05) to ten (10) years and fine of from CFAF 20 000 (twenty thousand) to CFAF 500 000 (five hundred thousand) and (4) Where the force or interference results unintentionally to death, the punishment shall be death.
Ariane Foguem
