Release of 289 Detainees:

Two B’da-Based Journalists Benefit Biya’s Pardon

By Njodzefe Nestor in B’da

Akumbom Elvis McCarthy

President Paul Biya on Thursday December 14, 2018 ordered the discontinuance of proceedings before the military tribunals against some 289 Anglophones arrested in the course of the on-going conflict in the North West and South West Regions so as to undergo the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) process.

                A communiqué from the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo indicated that 46 of the 289 would be from the North West region.

                Of this 46 who were effectively released on Friday December 25, were two journalists, Akumbom Elvis McCarthy who before his arrest was working with Abakwa FM and Moki Hanson, publisher of Cameroon Report Tabloid.

                Akumbom Elvis McCarthy who was arrested in March 20th, 2018 in Bamenda and was charged for attempted secession and disseminating secessionist propaganda on air.

                Speaking to reporters after his release expressed gratitude to President Paul Biya but hoped that it could be extended to other separatist fighters.

                “I still insist that for peace to come, we need inclusive dialogue. The President’s move is a good one and if it applies even to the separatist leaders, it will be a good thing”, Akumbom Elvis McCarthy observed.

                Moki Hanson of Cameroon Report on the other hand with about seven of his staff was arrested some months back and charged for attempted secession and disseminating secessionist propaganda.

                The case of Akumbom Elvis McCarthy and Moki Hanson were part of the cases that appeared at the Bamenda Military Court on December 14, 2018. The presiding Magistrate, Colonel Nkengue took less than ten minutes to read the decree sanctioning the release and immediately declared that the 49 detainees have no charge against the Cameroonian government and the people of Cameroon.

                There has been total jubilation in the press family in the Region but they are continuous calls that other journalists like Mancho Bibixy was had been sentenced and is undergoing his jail term in Kodengui, Yaounde and Wawa Jackson who is being held in Nkambe, Donga and Mantung Division of the North West region should be released too.