Amid brutalization by soldiers:

Anglophone lawyers refuse to be intimidated, vow to continue with street protests

-Activities completely grounded at NW and SW Courts

-Journalists, Teachers, Political Parties pledge their solidarity

By Boris Esono in Buea

Common Law lawyers marching for the rights in Buea

At least 50 lawyers were last Thursday 10 November 2016 arrested in Buea, South West Region, when gun-tooting soldiers and riot police pounced on Common Law Lawyers who had taken to the streets to protest what they described as government’s insulting indifference to their plight. 

The lawyers of the South West were queuing up with their colleagues of the North West Region who earlier on Tuesday 10 October 2016 also staged a similar street protest that heavily armed soldiers also dispersed using water cannons and tear gas. 

                The gun-totting riot police and gendarmes had manned strategic locations from Mile 17 right up to the police roundabout in Buea. They pounced on the lawyers as they got set to march on to the Buea Appeals Court to hand their Memorandum to the Procureur-General.

                Some brave advancing lawyers were ruthlessly beaten up by the trigger-happy soldiers. Others had their wigs and gowns seized and torn to pieces. Yet others were arrested and detained, while others who were still coming up from Limbe and Muyuka were halted at Muea and Mile 17. Some sought refuge in people’s houses and hotels as they watched their colleagues being molested by the soldiers. The lawyers did not conceal their indignation.

                “It is surprising and even shameful that in a country that claims to be democratic and respects the rule of law lawyers are beaten up and brutalized in public like common law criminals. It is simply incredible what is happening in our country. But things cannot continue like this,” lashed out one of the lawyers, Sesekou Barrister Ebi Stanley.

                He continued: “Cameroon has retrograded to a brutal dictatorship where all forms of public manifestations are clamped down. See what is happening today. People can no longer proclaim their rights in Cameroon. It is a shame. But we will not be intimidated; we shall carry on with our strike until we get what we want.”

                Queuing up with his colleague another lawyer corroborated: “There is no point trying to intimidate us; all we want is for the Minister of Justice to respond to our requests. We cannot continue to be treated like this. We need a Common Law Bar to protect the Common Law in Cameroon.”

Further decrying the unlawful acts perpetrated by the soldiers another Buea-based lawyer, MokiLifange, wondered aloud: “Police officers broke into my office this morning and confiscated the robes of six of my colleagues. They brandished no search warrant.  Is it normal that in a country where the laws are said to be respected a lawyer’s office is violated with impunity by police officers?

                As for the very emblematic and charismatic President of the Fako Lawyers Association, FAKLA, Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor-Balla, the intimidation by the authorities is a stupidly wasted effort.

“We shall not bow to intimidation. We shall carry on with our protests to the desired end.  Next week we shall be in Limbe and Kumba to stage similar protests,” Barrister AgborBalla maintained. 

                Apart from the lawyers, journalists who came to cover the strike and even civilians also had their fair dose of the beatings. AtiaTilarious, a reporter with The Sun newspaper said he was molested and beating up by soldiers who mistook him for a lawyer simply because he was wearing a black suit.

                The Common Law lawyers are protesting against government’s insensitivity to their numerous plights which include the non translation of fundamental legal texts including the OHADA Uniform Act, the CIMA Code, the COBAC text and other CEMAC regulation among others in English.

                More so, the lawyers are seeking a return to the Federal system of government as a means towards protecting and preserving the Anglo-Saxon culture in Cameroon.

                Some of them carried placards on which was inscribed: “Only a return to Federalism or total independence can save Southern Cameroonians from the injustice they suffer in Cameroon. We shall fight against all forms of injustice visited on Anglophones in Cameroon: No more Francophone magistrates in Anglophone Courts; No more imposition of the ‘droitcivile’ in Anglophone Cameroon”.

                On strike since 11 October 2016, Common Law Lawyers have vowed never to turn back, barring the intimidation by soldiers.

                Meanwhile, sources at the Buea Court say activities have virtually been grounded ever since the lawyers embarked on their strike. The sources say cases that were programmed have repeatedly been adjourned.

                “We have no intention to return to the courts any time soon. The way we are being treated does not encourage us to even consider returning to the courts,” affirmed Barrister AgborBalla.

                For their part, Anglophone teachers of Primary, Secondary and Higher education have announced a general strike beginning 21 November 2016. They say the strike is to show solidarity with the lawyers apart from protesting the systematic erosion of the English sub-system of education in Cameroon. The Teachers’ Association of Cameroon TAC, the Cameroon Teachers’ Trade Union CATTU and the Syndicate of Teachers of Higher Education SYNES UB Chapter have all issued releases endorsing the general teachers strike. They have also informed the PM of their resolve to go on strike.

                The Anglophone Journalists’ Associations Camasej and some political parties notably KahWallah’s CPP, Ayah Paul’s PAP, Prof. Kamto’s CMR and  EkaniAnicet’sManidem have all declared their solidarity with the lawyers.