Anglophone Crisis:

   “Covid-19 is More Friendly to Us than The Military”

– Former Student Leader, Tata Mbinglo, Tells President Biya

Soldiers are stationed in all major towns in the NW and SW regions

Tata Kwawi Mbinglo, one-time President of the University of Buea Students’ Union, UBSU, has called on President Paul Biya to “kindly restore a society where we the youth can dream and live up to our expectations just like you had your chances.”

                On Friday, 33-year-old Mbinglo said President Biya’s military has departed from its mission to protect the territorial integrity of the country to now carrying out acts that bring dishonour to the country, citing the February 14 killings in Ngarbuh and the death in military custody of journalist Samuel Wazizi.

                The former UBSU President said the novel coronavirus has proven to be friendlier to Cameroonians than the military. “Covid-19 is now more friendly to us than your military,” Mbinglo told President Biya.

                The youth leader posted his comments under a post on the President’s Facebook page. President Biya had posted:  “Today, I granted successive audiences to French Ambassador Christophe Guilhou and outgoing South Korean Ambassador Bok-Ryeol Rhyou.”

                Tata Mbinglo went under this post to present his worries in the hope that it gets the attention of the 87-year-old leader who is Africa’s second longest-serving Head of State.

                Mbinglo wrote: “Mr. President, you are president today because you grew up in a society where your dreams could be realized. You had all the opportunities to live your dreams, but today, we the youth are not safe. We are illegally arrested, molested, tortured, and killed by your military. We no longer dream under your government because the only thing we hope for is the air to breathe and live even just a year longer.

                “Please Mr. President, kindly restore a society where we the youth can dream and live up to our expectations just like you had your chances. You have heard about the Ngarbuh massacre of your grandchildren. You have also heard of Samuel Wazizi [who died in military custody]. These are just a few that you have been fortunate to hear of. They also had dreams to become future leaders. One of them could have become the future president of Cameroon. A dream backed by hopes and aspirations enshrined in our constitution with the hope that we are all equal as citizens of this nation.

                “Unfortunately this has become the new normal for us.Covid-19 is now more friendly to us than your military. We hope you are not very much informed about these blatant killings but we cry to you as a grandfather to protect us as your predecessor instructed. We are no longer safe in a nation we have sacrificed so much for. Who else should we look up to Your Excellency?”

                Cameroon-Info.Net recalls that Tata Mbinglo served as President of the University of Buea Sociology and Anthropology Network (UBSAN) in 2007. In 2008, he was elected President of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences Students’ Association (FSMSSA), as well as President of the Wimbum Students Union (WISU) Buea.

                Tata Mbinglo rose to fame in 2009 after his election to the then coveted position of President of the University of Buea Students’ Union. He also served as Technical Adviser to the President of the Donga Mantung Divisional Youth Council.

                He is described as someone who has committed himself to serve humanity and impact positively on lives as much as he can. “My vision is to see a change in a real-world situation. I wish to do those things others have failed to do for the interest of the poor majority,” Mbinglo is quoted as saying.