Despite talks with PM:

Teachers/Lawyers to continue strikes until Y’de shows good faith

By Nestor Njodzefe in Bamenda

Prime Minister Philemon Yang, crestfallen after failed outing in Bamenda

Teachers Trade Unions and the Common Law Lawyers have resolved to continue with the strike initiated on November 21 and October 11, 2016 respectively after a meeting they had with Prime Minister, Philemon Yang ended with no satisfactory solutions to both teachers and lawyer’s problems.

                On Friday, November 25, PM Yang purportedly on the instructions of President Paul Biya was in Bamenda to meet with authorities of Common Law Lawyers and confederation if teachers trade unions and associations (SYNES,TAC, CATTU, PEATTU, BATTUC, CEWOTU) and talk them out of the strike.

                It is also reported that he was also dispatched as a son of the region to thaw the tense atmosphere that had reigned supreme in Bamenda after the street protests that brought a lot of uncertainty and unrest. 

                Philemon Yang who was accompanied by a strong delegation from Yaoundé and assisted by North West Governor Adolf LeleLafrique and his closs aides also met some traditional authorities, the clergy, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Bamenda, Prof. Nkuo Theresa Akenji and the leader of the Social Democratic Front, Ni John FruNdi.

Teachers resolute to continue strike until solutions come

                According to a press release made public after the lengthy and animated discussions between the Prime Minister and leaders of the concerned trade unions, it was agreed amongst other things  that a “new institutional framework to look into the problems raised by the Anglophone teachers trade unions will be put in place by Wednesday, November 30 2016.

                The new institutional framework to “meet and work in Bamenda for the convenience of the majority of the members” according to the release “will be enlarged to include Anglophone stakeholders” and its report is expected to indicate timelines for implementation with resolutions arrived at expected to be “submitted to His Excellency, the Prime Minster, Head of Government within a week of deliberations”.

                Regarding conditions for the suspension of the strike, it was agreed that when “at least one other request is fulfilled on or before November 30” then shall the strike be suspended. 

                While talking to The Median, Tassang Wilfred Executive Secretary General of CATTU called on parents to keep their children at home while advising them not to heed to manipulations from some quarters to allow their children take to streets. He also reassured them that the dateline for the registration of the GCE and CAPIEM exams that is expected to end soon will be extended.

Lawyers vow to continue their strike but laud PM’s frankness

                Delegates of the common lawyers who met with the prime Minister resolved after the over two hours meeting to continue with the strike initiated in October 11 until they see the manifestation of good faith and some actions carried out by the government to resolve their worries.

                “We will want to say that what has taken place this evening is that the channels for dialogue have been opened. Nothing concrete has come out of it beyond opening windows of opportunity for dialogue. And on that account, the lawyers are unanimous that they are not suspending or calling of the strike action” declared Barrister Bobga Harmony, President of North West Lawyers Associations after an over four hours meeting with PM Yang.

                Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor while corroborating BaristerBobga appreciated the Prime Minister for his “honesty and frank talk” and for acknowledging the Anglophone problem regretting that no concrete solution was arrived at with regards to the issues that they raised. 

Barrister Nkongho revealed that the Prime Minister has promised to make a statement on the ill treatment of the lawyers and to resolve the wig and gown issue.

AtangaNji’s comments spark outrage 

                On comments made by Minister AtangaNji in an interview granted Crtv that there was no Anglophone problem that has raised so much dust, Yang reiterated that the Minister of special duties was not the government’s spoke person and that his utterances were his personal opinion.

                The national Chairman of the Social Democratic Front, SDF party , John FruNdi on his part asked Paul AtangaNji to hand himself over to the Police for making outrageous statements to the effect that there exist no Anglophone problem in the country.

                “I feel very sorry for a person like NjiAtanga for the statements he made. When he tells the world that the gentleman who got so angry and marched down the streets should give himself to the Police, let him give himself to the Police first. He said Anglophones have no problems, yes he said that because every trip Mr. Biya makes out of the country he takes him, If he is out for three weeks he will be there sleeping in porch hotels with very good food and all the like. So that’s why he can say that there are no problems because he doesn’t have a problem. His children go to the best schools, he sleeps in best hotels and so how do you think that he can tell you that there is a problem in Bamenda? How often does he come to Bamenda, for how long has he ever stayed in Bamenda.” The SDF Chieftain fumed.