Eseka train crash/Lawyers’ strike:

SDF wants parliament to probe

SDF Vice Nat. Chairman, Hon. Joshua Osih

The opposition SDF party has tabled a petition for the National Assembly to put in place a parliamentary commission of inquire to investigate and establish responsibility for the 21 October 2016  train accident at Eseka that killed hundreds of Cameroonians.

                SDF filed the petition at the opening of the November session of parliament, on Thursday 10 November 2016, through Hon. Joseph MbahNdam, who is one of the several Vice president’s of the Assembly.

                SDF wants a parliamentary probe of the train tragedy, even after the party’s NEC had already put in place a separate commission of inquiry during its meeting of 5 November 2016 in Bamenda. The commission comprises of SDF Senators, MPs, jurists and members of shadow cabinet.

                It was however intriguing that the request from the SDF was not immediately supported by the majority CPDM MPs in the National Assembly.

                According to CPDM MP, OmgbaOngola, the request by Hon. MbahNdam is useless because President Biya has already put in place a government commission of inquiry whose findings would be made public soon.

                Apart from the request for a probe of the Eseka train accident, the SDF also wants parliament to pronounce on the ongoing strike by Anglophone lawyers. The party has also addressed a written question to the Minister of Justice about government’s indifference to the strike.

                According to SDF Vice Chairman, Hon. Joshua Osih, the demands of the Common Law lawyers are legitimate and constitutional and could degenerate into a general social violence of untold magnitude, if it is not addressed.