NW Governor Bans Sale, Possession of Firearms

By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

Governor lele L’Afrique has banned the sale and use of firearms in the NW region

The governor of the northwest region, Governor Adolf lele L’Afrique has issued a ban on the sale and purchase of arms across the northwest region. This is the content of an administrative order signed February 1, 2017.

                “Following the recent socio-political crisis and the prevailing insecurity situation coupled with the numerous attacks and threats, the sale and purchase of ammunitions is suspended for a period of six months renewable throughout the northwest region. All persons keeping hunting guns are requested to hand them over to the nearest administrative authority who will acknowledge receipt. Part of the order reads.

                According to the order, the decision takes effect from the date of signature and will last for six months renewable. Contraveners shall be liable to sanctions as law enforcement officers shall be carrying out regular controls.

                This measure has been greeted with mixed feelings across the region. Although the move is understood to be backed by security imperatives, it is feared that it will have negative socio-economic effects to a region that is renowned for using guns for traditional celebrations and even hunting activities.

                According to Peter Tanwie, resident of Nkwen, while talking to The Median regretted that the move will negatively affect their tradition.

Two Weeks of Sporadic Violence:

Panic in NW as Ambazonia Tigers go on the Rampage

Forces of law and order in the different towns of the North West region have of late been restive following sporadic attacks by some unidentified assailants believed to belong to the separatist Ambazonia Tigers who more often than not appear masked. This has left casualties in the ranks of the military and in the civilian population.

                In Batibo assailants reportedly stormed the town on the early hours of Tuesday January 23, fired gun shots in the air and paraded some parts of the town and in no time, the whole town was panic-stricken as parents rushed home their kids and everybody ran for safety.

                The story was not different In Pinyin where a group of unidentified men stormed the village, disrupted markets and forced schools to shutdown. The military responded with a heavy crack down that left scores injured and two alleged civilian deaths.

                The worst scenario was in Mbingo, Belo sub division of Boyo. As early as 9am on Thursday February 1, a gang of 11 unidentified men sent news that they were to attack Mbingo and in no time they came face to face with elements of the National Gendarmerie.

                In a gun fire battle that ensued, two elements of the gendarmes were butchered and abandoned by the assailants. They are reported to have hijacked an oncoming car and left the scene. The wounded gendarmes where then evacuated into the Mbingo hospital and two of them, male and female gave up the ghost.

UN Slams Nigeria Over Deportation of Cameroon Secessionists

Cameroon secessionist leader Sisikou Ayuk Tabe (M) and some of his close aides

UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has on 2 January 2018 issued a strongly-worded release condemning Nigeria for deporting 47 Cameroonian secessionists to Yaounde. UNHCR said in the release that by extraditing the secessionists Nigeria has violated the international instruments sanctioning extradition.

UNHCR said it learnt with 'great concern' that Nigeria had on 26 January 2018 forcefully handed over the 47 Cameroonians secessionists that were abducted in Abuja to Cameroonian authorities.

                According to the release by the UN refugee agency, most of the persons extradited had submitted asylum files in Nigeria and were regular residents in the West African country.

 UNHCR said Nigeria returned the secessionists despite efforts by the UN Agency and talks with the two governments on the issue.

2018 Presidential Election:

Campaign for Unique Anglophone Candidate

-Shortlist of Nominees for Unique Candidate for Anglophone Presidency 2018

After launching online and offline nominations for a unique candidate for an Anglophone for Presidency 2018 on March 2016, and after the names of eight shortlisted candidates were published in June 2016, by the campaigners for an Anglophone for Presidency 2018, led by the Cameroon Journalists for Justice solutions and the Rule of Law, CJ4J, we hereby bring to your attention the names of those who have successfully made it to the ¼ finals.

While voting would intensify on social media networks and other platforms so as to produce semi-finalist come March 2018 and eventually the finalist by May 2018, we urge voters and concerned Cameroonians to continue to search deeper for a consensual candidate from amongst the shortlist that would give the ruling oligarchy a run for their money come October 2018 Presidential elections. It should be recalled that this loose platform of like-minded individuals referred to as Cameroon Journalists for Justice Solutions and the Rule of Law has since February been articulate on the question of an Anglophone becoming Cameroon’s next President for reasons of poetic justice, a balancing act, peace, unity and stability, fundamental democratic principles, politics na njangi, the commonwealth, operationalization of bilingualism and multiculturalism, and above all, the dignity and respect of minorities.

                The group functions with the understanding that after 56 years of continues Francophone-inspired leadership in Cameroon, and giving the prevailing circumstances, it is imperative all hands be put on deck to see to it that Cameroon’s next President is a bona fide Southern Cameroonian.

                The collective fighting for an Anglophone to be Cameroon’s next President has for the past two years been seeking across-the-board nominations for a suitably qualified candidate for an Anglophone for Presidency 2018.

As Cameroon Boils:

3 Police, One Civilian Killed in Restive NW Region – AFP

Armed separatists last week attacked a checkpoint” in the village of Bingo, in the country’s Northwest Region, according to a source familiar with military activity in the area.

                “Two wounded gendarmes were taken to hospital, where they died of their injuries,” the source said.

In Bamenda, suspects riding a motorcycle also shot dead an officer, a government spokesperson told AFP. A civilian also died after being shot by soldiers during an operation in the nearby city of Santa, sources said.

                The violence marked the first casualties among the security forces in the troubled region since Nigeria extradited 47 separatists on Monday, including their self-proclaimed president, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe.

– “Escalation of violence” –

                “There is an escalation of violence, undoubtedly,” said Minister of Communication Issa Tchiroma Bakary, citing “a campaign on social networks where they (separatists) invite people to resist and kill.”

                “These calls can have an amplifying effect of violence,” he said.

                The separatists previously warned the extradition of the 47 from Nigeria to Cameroon would lead to an escalation.

                “The abduction (of Ayuk Tabe) is throwing petrol on the flames of the revolution,” Chris Anu, a member of the self-described “government”, told AFP.

                The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Thursday criticised Nigeria for breaching international agreements over the extraditions, saying “their forcible return is in violation of the principle of non-refoulement”.

                Non-refoulement, a French term, is the practice of not forcing refugees or asylum-seekers to go back to a country where they could be persecuted.

                The UNHCR said most of the 47 had submitted asylum claims in Nigeria.

                Amnesty International has also expressed concern about the fate of the arrested separatists, saying they could face torture and an unfair trial.

                The separatists are demanding independence for two regions that are home to most of the country’s anglophones, who account for about a fifth of the population.

CHAN 2018:

Sudan beat Libya on

penalties to earn third spot

Sudan goalkeeper Akram El Hadi saved two penalties in the shootout as his side beat Libya to finish third at the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The sides were locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes in Marrakech at the tournament for locally-based players.

                Akram had earlier failed to deal with the cross from which Salem Ablo headed in an equaliser for Libya with just six minutes to play.

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