Elementing the Anglophone Crisis:

Agbor Balla to Address World’s Biggest Forum on Human Rights

Buea-based Human Rights Lawyer and Anglophone Activist, Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla has been invited to speak at the Oslo Forum, arguably the biggest forum on human rights in the world.

By Boris Esono in Buea

Bar. Agbor Balla 

Agbor Balla arrived in Oslo, Norway early on Thursday, 23 May, where he would in the days ahead actively participate in the Oslo Forum. The International Human Rights Lawyer has been invited as one of the speakers at the 2019 Oslo Forum that will see “the world’s most engaging human rights advocates, artists, and world leaders meeting to share stories and brainstorm on ways to expand freedom and unleash human potential across the globe.” The Forum will run from 27 to 29 May in Norway’s capital city.

                Garry Kasparov, Chairman of the Human Rights Foundation in an invitation to Agbor Balla said they believe that Agbor Balla’s dedication to pro-democracy efforts in Cameroon and Africa as a whole, and his work with the Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA, will inspire participants involved in the ongoing struggle to advance human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world.

                “There is no other gathering in the world like the Oslo Freedom Forum’s unique mix of dissidents, philanthropists, journalists, artists, entrepreneurs, defectors, musicians, and world leaders, all of whom come to Norway each year for an immersive, collaborative experience focused on the world more peaceful, prosperous, and free. We would be honoured to include you in this inspiring community,” Kasparov said in his invitation to Agbor Balla. 

                Some past speakers at the Oslo Forum include Nigeria’s Playwright, poet, essayist and Nobel laureate for literature, Wole Soyinka; Liberia’s Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee, Holocaust survivor and author, Elie Wiesel; Cuba’s dissident and journalist, Yoani Sanchez; Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef; Burma’s Iconic Pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Aung Sang Suu; former Polish President and Nobel Laureate, Lech Walesa; Julian Assange of Wikileaks; the Secretary General of Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland; and Togolese Nobel Laureate and Political activist, Farida Nabourema among others.

                The 2019 Oslo Forum will witness talks, workshops, roundtable discussions, interactive art exhibits, comedy, music, and most importantly, shared conversations and stories that inspire action.

                Referred to as the “Davos for human rights” by The Economist and as “the place where the world’s dissidents have their say,” the Oslo Freedom Forum is otherwise considered as the foundation for a better and freer world.

                Agbor Balla is expected to “share his remarkable experiences” at the Oslo Freedom Forum when he mounts the rostrum as speaker.

                “I am humbled by this rare opportunity. The Oslo Forum is just mind-blowing. I am truly honoured to be invited as speaker,” Agbor Balla quipped.

                A pioneer president of the outlawed Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC) and former president of Fako Lawyers’ Association FAKLA, Agbor Balla was arrested and jailed on 17 January 2017 for his leadership role in the struggle by Anglophones for equality and freedom in Cameroon. He was charged with secession, terrorism, conspiracy against the state and state institutions among several other felonious offenses. He was released from jail 8 months later, following a presidential pardon.

                Balla is the founder/president of CHRDA which has been documenting graphic pictures and collecting other evidences and statistics on the ongoing conflict in Cameroon’s English speaking regions.