STANDARD MIRROR

Buckingham Palace Honours Cameroonian Journalist and Minority Rights Activist .

By Mbaku Jude

It didn’t come as a surprise, June 26^th 2020 to many who already know the multi-talented and multiple award winning journalist, Comfort Mussa and her actions on ground in Cameroon. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had recognised Comfort Mussa, representing Cameroon, as the 145th Commonwealth Point of Light in honour of her exceptional voluntary service supporting the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

HER AWARD LETTER

Comfort is the founder of ‘SisterSpeak237’, which supports disabled and vulnerable people in Yaounde by coordinating the provision of hand sanitisers and masks, and sharing key messaging around COVID-19. Comfort has also started a project across the seven regions of Cameroon to ensure that response services are gender and disability inclusive. Comfort has been a long-time supporter of women and minority groups, empowering them through her organisation to tell their stories, breaking the silence on taboo subjects seldomly reported.

As part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London 2018, Her Majesty The Queen – as Head of the Commonwealth – is thanking inspirational volunteers across the 54 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond, by recognising one volunteer from each Commonwealth country every week. By sharing these stories of service, the Commonwealth Points of Light awards celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time, including the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Left – Comfort Mussa. Right- UK and Canadian High Commisioners

Comfort said:

“I am absolutely delighted to be recognised for this award. I’m honoured to accept this award and I share it with all the volunteers at SISTERSPEAK237 and our Access Community for persons with disabilities. With the COVID19 pandemic my team and I are constantly asking ourselves, what can we do to help? Our drive has been to meet the needs of people in vulnerable communities, especially for women and persons with disabilities, through advocacy, campaigning and story-telling. The impact we have had so far is encouraging and makes volunteering worthwhile. I thank Her Majesty The Queen, for this recognition”

H.E. Rowan Laxton, UK High Commissioner to Cameroon, said:

“My hearty congratulations to Comfort Mussa on winning this year’s prestigious Commonwealth Points of Light award in Cameroon. Her unstinting support for women’s rights, social justice and public health is making a huge difference to the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people here. Her work is a shining example of the impact that dedicated and skilled volunteers can make to brighten people’s lives.’

The Commonwealth is a diverse community of 54 nations that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace. The Heads of Government meeting brought together leaders from all the 54 Member countries to reaffirm common values, address shared global challenges and agree how to work to create a better future for all citizens, especially young people. Voluntary service is a vital part of this agenda, which is why Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to recognise outstanding volunteers across the Commonwealth in this special way.

MORE ABOUT POINT OF LIGHT;

The Points of Light awards recognises outstanding volunteers every day of the week people whose service is making a difference in their communities and whose story can inspire others to creative innovative solutions to social challenges in their own communities and beyond.

Points of Light began in America under President George H. W. Bush and today over 6,000 US Points of Light have been recognised. The scheme has the support of all living US Presidents.

Since 2014 the UK Prime Minister has been recognising a daily Point of Light from the UK, with over 1,400 volunteers now recognised. During COVID-19, the award is focusing exclusively on people serving their community through the pandemic.

Commonwealth Points of Light is a continuation of this programme with a special series of awards recognising inspirational volunteers throughout the Commonwealth, coinciding with the UK being the Commonwealth’s Chair-in-Office of for the next two years. One volunteer from each of the 54 Commonwealth countries was recognised in the days leading up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April 2018. Following the success of this programme, Her Majesty The Queen decided to continue this work and award one volunteer from each Commonwealth country every week.

Comfort Mussa is from the North West Region of Cameroon and in her 30s and has been very active in Volunteering since early 2000s.

Cameroonian “Hate Speech” Journalist Detained for Financial Unrighteousness.

Obama Ernest is arguably the most popular Journalist in Cameroon as at now though not for the right reasons. He had been arrested, since morning of Thursday June 18th in Capital City, Yaounde.

According to news that reached the STANDARD MIRROR, the Vision4 worker had for a while now been wrapped in Financial scandals at the ANECDOTE Group where he was once appointment the Director of the Vision4 Tv owned by one of Cameroon’s business Mogul, Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga.

The arrest of Obama Ernest has got tongues wangling with many ascertaining the fact that his arrest was eminent due to his numerous ugly moral and Professional deeds.

The “carefree hate speech” Journalist had succeeded in causing many Cameroonians of Anglophone expression to hating the Vision4 Tv and tagging it another Rwandan-like “Mille Colline” for Propagating hate against a people. He had on a Televised Debate, called for the extinction of Anglophones who opposed President Paul Biya’s regime referring to them as rats, in the hit of the ongoing Anglophone crisis.

Same Obama had bragged that his connections to power in the country won’t permit the Anglophone_Born President of the National Communication Council, Peter Essoka, do anything to him. This after more than 50 Anglophone Journalists signed a petition against his xenophobic utterances.

While Obama Ernest remains behind bars at SED pending legal judicial proceedings, many especially some “Calm Hearted” Anglophone Journalists have started calling for due process to avoid what happened to one of theirs, Samuel Ajiekah Aka Wazizi, who die in Military custody, claimed to have been a Terrorist.

Wazizi Saga: Journalists Promise Hard Days for Cameroon Government.

Speaking after an audience with South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai, National Vice President of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ was categorical.

We want to say that it will not end here and won’t end today. We are bent in making sure that justice for Wazizi must prevail. If they don’t want to tell us what happened here In the South West, definitely Yaounde is going to tell us”

Davidson Maimo tells the press

The Journalist flanked by about 20 others was speaking infront of the Governor’s office after they had been told by the head of the region were Samuel Ajiekah, Aka Wazizi was arrested, to go plead their case in Yaounde, Capital City.

Journalists at the office of South West Governor

The association, CAMASEJ, and the the Cameroon Journalists Trade Union, CJTU had earlier drafted a Memorandum for the Governor after news of the dead of CMTV’s Wazizi broke out on June 2nd. Governor Okalia says he has no mandate in receiving the Memo because he can not Question his bosses in Yaounde.

The administrator however acknowledged that when the Journalist was arrested on August 2nd 2019, his case had to do with “Terrorism”. He admitted that such cases are treated in Yaounde and Wazizi had been deported to the Military Barracks there in good health.

These Journalists have already embarked on a legal and diplomatic offensive with the support of the Victim’s family, to bring the George Floyld kind of justice to Wazizi. They are promising harder days to the Government of Cameroon if the Corpse of the killed Journalist is not found.

Many have condemn the act including some Political leaders and parties like Kah Wallah, Michelle Ndoki , PAP,USDP and civil Society actors like Agbor Balla. The International Federation of Journalists as well as the International Committee to Protect Journalists are taking developments.

Equinox TV reports that Wazizi died same month he was arrested but the case had been in court till now. Since he was picked up from his studio in Muea, Buea, he had been incommunicado. He was accused of aiding Separatist Fighters for the Ambazonia (English Cameroonian) who had taken his farmland hostage, and therefore, termed a Terrorist.

According to the December 23th 2014 Cameroon Anti-Terrorism law, offenses like that of Wazizi deserves a death Penalty, ( Chapter 2, Section 2, Article 1). However, the truism of this could only be ascertain in court, making no room for extrajudicial killings.

It is believed that the anti Terrorism law was drafted to fight the Islamist Boko Haram in the North of Cameroon spanning from Northern Nigeria. Many have paid the prize of the law which legal minds say is obnoxious. Anglophone Separatist Fighters as well.

Many say Wazizi was a calm colleague. His corpse is not found yet. The Cameroon Government is yet to speak on this.

Other Journalists like Paul Chouta, Awah Thomas, Mancho Bibixy in Yaounde and Wawa Jackson in Nkambe are victims of the poor judicial setup in Cameroon.

Late 2019, the CPJ declared Cameroon one of Africa’s highest Jailer of Journalists with about 34 cases then, only compared to Eritrea

MBAKU Jude

Tracing French “Colonial” role in the Ngarbuh Massacre Epic

In the wake of the events that led to the final publication of the result of Government’s Investigation of the Ngarbuh massacre, France has been so instrumental that every good eye can see glaringly.

Since the armed conflict started in Anglophone Cameroon late 2016, many have been killed by both state and non-state groups. Scores had been massacred in Pinyin, Bole, Batibo, Ekona, Bakundu just to name but these, with more than 250 villages burnt. Many of these atrocious acts had gone unnoticed. But on a certain Saturday Feb 8th 2020 when something happened in France.

A man Called Abdoulaye Thiam aka Calibri Calibrio, a member of the Brigard Anti-Sardinard,BAS, took one on one with French President, Emmanuel Macron.
The French -Senegalese activist whose mother hails from Cameroon was captured on a video online holding President Macron to task over the atrocities in the Anglophone Cameroon. His shouting of Mr Macron’s name in the midst of a huge presidential security could be likened to that of the Biblical Zaccheus recorded in the Gospel of Luke 19 verse one through 7.The President’s responds was that, he will call president biya “Next week” to put pressure on him to end the crisis.

Sunday March 14th, Elysée’s Macron called Unity Palace’s Biya in a chat that was described as very fruitful and a way forward for a resolute end to the ravaging “Senseless” war in the country.
Activated by these, Supporters of the Ruling CPDM party stormed the streets of the capital Yaounde with anti- France placards, then later in Douala and the North of the country accusing France of undermining their leader and equally warning their former colonial master to steer clear of Cameroon’s territorial integrity.

One would have thought that in the spite of continuous embarassment metted on the “Big” French Empire by some power Lilliputians like Cameroon’s minister of Communications /Government Spokesman comperatively, walls were going to fall on Cameroon diplomatically but that wasn’t the case. France maintained a deaf calm and rather promised to help financially with some billions in reconstructing these Cameroonian regions plagued by the war.

Not long, an investigation commission was created by Biya, to probe into the Ngarbuh massacre. Then, a reconstruction Commission appointed with Leaders being Tasong Paul of the South West and Njong Donatus of the North West Regions.

Within this while, what had been preoccupying is the Coronavirus and how to appropriately put it under check. Although many heads of state had addressed their people giving them hope in this perilous era, President Biya had been mute. In fact, the head of state was even rumoured dead for more than a month. CRM’s Political party Leader, Maurice Kamto, had even asked that Biya’s constitutional heir had taken over power immediately. However, this didn’t bother the healthy President Biya.

Few days later, April 16th, French Ambassador, Christophe Guihou who was one last Foreign Official to visit Mr Biya in March before biya went “Underground”, reappear on Unity Palace to meet the latter on a diplomatic mission. It was another rare moment Cameroonians were able to see their president after a while though he didn’t address them still. Atleast, this thanks to France.

However, it was made to be understood that, what was highly discussed at the presidential audience was the Covid_19 Pandemic, which France in top 5 hit countries in Europe could help Cameroon (with not up to 15 dead cases), in beating the virus.

It is also true that, both men discussed issues related to the crisis and also believed that, the French diplomat came over to hand some “Marching orders” from his Boss to the leader of one of his oversea territories, afterall President Biya had been to France after the Major National Dialogue of late 2019 to “render an Account“ to Macron on what transpired during the dialogue.

April 21st, the Ngarbuh investigation results were released with the same Government that had denied being responsible accepting that her military is responsible for the massacre of 14th February. The Communique from Minister of state, Secretary General at the presidency of the Republic, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, also promised to severely punish these military commanders for their crimes.

The chronology of these events need no soothsayer to be able to ascertain the role and impact of France in this whole process. The successive French regimes before the suppose Independence of Cameroon and Africa as a whole, had often had a firm grip on their colonies.

French interest is still being felt in her 15 African colonies and it targets particularly raw materials and trade in these African Nations rich in resources. This has left these countries poorest on earth and their leaders are often under suivellance to comply, else, face the wrath of the Powerful France, needless mentioning some names like Muarmar Khadaffi of Libya and Laurent Gbagbo of Cote I’ivoire.

Though a good move to have the commission’s finding, swiftest and the only so far in Cameroon, many still think French foreign influence is a redundant dishonesty that will keep her “Former” colonies in a continuous circus. But how Genuine is this influence given the loopholes and unanswered questions on the result pertaining to the kind of punishment and who dishes them out to the perpetuators of this macabre acts and Crimes Against Humanity?

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror

Kugwe Killings: Sako’s IG launches Manhunt for Ayaba’s “Notorious” General, Efang.

For some time now, factions in the “Liberation” struggle of Ambazonia have been at loggerhead over administrative, managerial and financial affairs of the struggle. This largely explains why the “Trip to Buea” has been a herculean task for these fighters and “Restorationist” to accomplish. Uncoordinated actions from ground fighters and their Diaspora leaders have led to the cruel murder of innocent citizens especially villagers of interior villages, by these armed Fighters established in these localities. Some villages that have suffered from these abhorrent acts in the month of April 2020 include Bambui, Bambili, Mbengwi, Batibo, and more.

Friday 17th April, the Interim President of the Ambazonians, Samuel Ikome Sako, on what they call ” State TV”, ABC TV ( Ambazonia Broadcasting Corporation TV), and on Facebook Live, declared war after the opprobrious General Efang also known as big Numba, Commander of the ADF ( Ambazonian Defense Forces) fighters.

According to “President” Sako in his televised speech that lasted about 15 minutes from 7 pm Cameroon time, April 17th, the leader of the IG ( Interim Government) was categorical on dreaded actions to be taken against the ADF group of Kugwe, one of Batibo’s 22 villages that serves as base for the fighters.

“The senseless assassination of the Prince of Kugwe, Mr Abang Julius and the disappearance of about 60 of our compatriots ( including women and children) with about 30 them severely wounded are feared dead in bushes, butchered by gunmen led by the Notorious General Efang’s gang”, said President Sako.

According to him, the ” Hoodlums ” as he calls, attack villagers on their farms and kill them. He questions by Ambazonians will survive the sword of the enemy just to be killed by their own. To this effect, he announced a commission of inquiry led by his Secretary of Home affairs to deliver findings in 7 days.

Genesis of the Tension in Kugwe.
Before the murder of the Prince of Kugwe, many others have been killed by this group. The ADF base in Kugwe had existed all along unperturbed by the collaborative locals until sometimes in February 2020 when the group abusively engaged into tortures, intimidation, wanton kidnaps, ransom taking and cruel treatment of villagers and their rulers. The kidnap and detention of traditional rulers from neighboring Enyoh and Bessom villages, pushed the population to oust these rebels and invite the Cameroonian Military Forces to put an end to their activities.

Since then, the wandering gunmen have been on a systematic killing spree in this locality. Properties of villagers and general public have been damaged as a sign of revenge, compounded by the fact that, some 22 fighters sent from that camp to capture their peers of Bui Division and cease power never came back to tell the story of their journey.

The supreme commander of the ADF fighters, Norway-based Cameroonian, Ayaba Cho Lucas had stood his grounds to completely cease military might from the current leadership of Sako Ikome and maintain a state of no ceasefire. Meanwhile the other leaders arrested in January 2018, The Nera 10 of Sisiku Ayuk Tabe lampoons in Jail at the capital city, Yaoundé.

Cho Ayaba Lucas, Supreme Commander of ADF

It is this in-house fighting amongst these groups that has delved them into chaos and innocent citizens are at the mercy of God the Creator. Worst still, the collateral damages recorded when the military of the state comes to play, is no good news to ride home about for the armless population, a clear case being the Ngarbuh massacre.

Unfortunately, even in the midst of the deadly Coronavirus, killings are still on in these regions perpetuated by state forces and rebel groups.
Hopes are new that the people of Kugwe might smile again if these “Terrorism” acts are terminated and in the Anglophone Cameroon as a whole.

Citizens especially villagers affected by the macabre deeds of these fighters have Been explaining gory tales to the Standard Mirror investigative team, of how these fighters treat them, couple with the flamboyant lifestyle they live in the midst of abject hardship by the populace.

As the Prince of Kugwe journies home, the Standard Mirror wishes him and others who have rested in the course of the Anglophone Cameroon Crisis, a Peaceful repose.

Mbaku Jude
SM

That “Heart Wrecking and Tears Provoking” Tribute of Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh to Hon. Mbah Ndam.

Since his death, morning Monday 13th April 2020 in Yaounde-Cameroon, after suffering from a malaise, personalities in and out of the country have been pouring out sad memories of the studious Legal luminary and former Momo West Parliamentarian. Amongst are his party members of the SDF, Other Political party leaders, Friends, and elites of the native Batibo village.

One of those mourners is Doctor Christopher Fomunyoh of the U.S based National Democratic Institute, a childhood friend and mate of the late Parliamentarian and energetic SDF strategist. Doctor Christopher writes;

Like most of you brothers and sisters, I woke up this morning to this sad and dreadful piece of information. Hon. Joseph Mbah Ndam (or Joe, as I fondly called him, given we were on first name basis) was a brother, friend and classmate.

Some of you may remember how close Joe and I were back in the 1970s, when we worked hard to revive what was then the all inclusive Moghamo Students & Teachers Association. We ran the Association very effectively, Joe as Secretary-General and I as President. We crisscrossed the 22 villages of Moghamo leading community cleaning and development projects such as carrying out road repairs on the Moghamo section of the Mamfe – Bamenda road which wasn’t tarred at the time, cleaning the Ashong market or the Oshum palace, etc. We even engaged in several reconciliation initiatives among some of the Moghamo elites at the time; and, of course, organized wonderful annual ‘student meetings’ and ballroom dances. We were a formidable team, thanks in large part to Joe’s hardwork, courage, trustworthiness and leadership. To Joe, leadership came naturally – after all, he had been a school prefect in his Alma mater, Government Grammar School, Mamfe!

Joe and I were classmates for four years in the Faculty of Law and Economics of the University of Yaoundé – the only two Law students from our subdivision in our batch. So we bonded as true brothers would. I still remember when we received our scholarships after many months of hardship in Yaoundé, we matched in log step to an Indian shop in downtown Yaoundé and purchased two identical transistor ‘radio cassettes’ (as they were called at the time) for ourselves! I was deeply impressed that upon graduation, Joe would seek a ‘Doctorat de 3e Cycle’ which he pursued at the same time as his pupillage for legal practice with one of the most renowned Law Firms in Yaoundé. That came as no surprise to those of us who knew Joe for his hardwork and thirst for knowledge, despite being already a ‘brain box’ by birth. Joe loved private practice, all with the wig and gown.

I was already out of the country when Joe started his political career in the SDF, but I remember meeting Joe in Douala in 1992, at the jam-packed SDF convention hall in preparation for the presidential election of that year. Seeing Joe in his traditional garb alI with bag to match, I understood Joe had put his heart and soul into that party and what it stood for.

Over the years and decades, and watching from afar, I could see Joe was giving it his best and his all. We would compare notes and exchange conversations occasionally every time I was home and our schedules allowed. Fortunately for us both, and perhaps in testament to the excellent times of our youth, our respective personal politics and aspirations never got in the way of our mutual respect and brotherly feelings. As the years went by, it began to show that the shrinking political space in Cameroon was having a toll on his physic as would happen to everyone that cared about the rule of law and the future.

Growing up, I knew that as courteous as Joe was, he also would spoil for a good political fight, confident that even if he lost a round, he would live to fight another day. Unfortunately, the cold hands of death sneaked upon us this rainy Monday morning, and our dear brother Joe is gone too soon.

Go in peace brother, and may your soul rest in perfect peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with the rest of the Mbah Ndam family at home and abroad.

Dr. Chris Fomunyoh

Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh

Others like Human Rights Lawyer, Barrister Felix Agbor Nkongho Balla, had equally written a soul breaking testimony of how the late Honorable Mbah Ndam stood firm and defended him during his rough moment at the start of the Anglophone struggle. Bar. Nkongho and others had been jailed in Kondegui Maximum security Prison for many charges including separation and rebellion against the state of Cameroon.

The late Honorable Mbah Ndam from Guzang of the Moghamo People, Batibo subdivision, Momo Division of North West Cameroon was born in 1955 and had served as member of Parliament since 1997 under his SDF party for Momo West Constituncy, Batibo, with 22 Villages.

Last Days of his Political Life.

Hon. Mbah Ndam had joined his colleagues and Party chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi in 2016 after the Teachers and Lawyers of the Anglophone Regions took to the streets in a fight against Marginalization to protest Government’s hard handedness of the protesters both in Bamenda and Buea. He will also proceed to be part of the legal team that stood for the incarcerated leaders of the then Anglophone Civil Society Consortium which later led to the release of thes leaders.

Hon. Mbah Ndam was also instrumental after the post electoral litigations petition sessions at the Constitutional council of Cameroon after the October 8th 2018 Presidential election.
He will further run for the 9th February 2020 legislative and municipal elections and the rerun in March same year after battling severely with separatists of the Anglophone Regions who asked him to abdicate. Infact, on his Campaign trail to Batibo, his convoy was attacked and shot at, injuring many, though he survived.

Mbah Ndam’s ugly moments with his Batibo Country men flared up after he made his proclaimation affirming his witdrawal from parliament as ordered by the separatists, an engagement he failed to keep. As a result, he compound was set ablazed as he resorted to refuge in the capital city of Yaounde, till his dying day.

Stakes are high now and alot of negotiations probably will need to be done if the remains of the late Statesman will reach his native Batibo. This is because, the land is still highly infested with the “Ambazonian fighters” who engage frequently in fierce battles with Cameroonian military. It is further compounded by the fact that, the Seperatist leadership in the Diaspora is calling for the total banishment of his corpse.

However, many are those who think a great “son of the soil” like Hon Mbah Ndam should be given an official burial for his efforts in the fight for justice, human rights, and development in the country. Conspicuously, the late Hon Joseph Mbah Ndam is a victim of the “Ambazonisation” of the British Southern Cameroons, ( North West and South West Regions)

From the STANDARD MIRROR team, we say, Journey Well Honorable!

Mbaku Jude
SM

Biya’s silence admist Covid_19 Scare, Dead Rumour, Aggravates Polemics.

Cameroon like many African countries may not have yet been hit hard by the Coronavirus like in Europe and America, but one can’t turn a blind eye to the threat this monstrous disease might bring in the days ahead. No war in recent times has killed humans this much like the Covid_19, not even the Al Shabab Fighters, ISIS, Boko Haram nor any rebel group.
What has kept mankind going at this point that seems like an Armageddon, is Hope from their leaders in containing the virus.

Many world leaders like Boris Johnson of Britain, Donald Trump of the U.S, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa amongst many others have often come out publicly to encourage their People and show their leadership grips in dishing out preventive Measures toward the fight. Infact, that of Ghana is said to be on all media platforms every week to account for any progress in the Coronavirus fight.
It is for this reason that, Cameroon with higher cases than Nigeria, the most populous African state would expect that her leader show some signs of respect and love towards them in such times of collective distress.

However, those in this line of thinking are failing in mind, as President Paul Biya, 86, has maintained his usual silence even in the heart of the Coronavirus. He has not been seen addressing the public for long, since his end of year speech on December 31st 2019. This has created an atmosphere of fear, tension , uncertainty and polemics amongst different classes, ideas, Political parties and concerned individuals.

It is However not the first time rumour of his dead is circulating this wild especially with the coming of the Social media. This other case is hitting the bell because of the Covid_19 Pandemic. Even after announcing through the Prime Minister that he has donated a whopping One Billion frs to kick start the Relief Fund for the virus, these words are still falling on deaf ears.

Maurice Kamto, an Opposition leader had threatened to ascend the presidency is Mr Biya doesn’t show sign of life. A top Official the SDF, another Opposition party though disappointed as usual says, President Biya’s atitude of “Provocative” silence is not a surprise to him and Cameroonians.

Meanwhile, some members of the ruling party, CPDM, have been taking turns in defending the silence of their “National Champion”, President Paul Biya.

In an exclusive with this reporter, CPDM member in Yaounde, Barister at Law, Kameni John Sichui, says there is wisdom in the President’s quietness. He adds;

“The silence has called on public sympathy and Love from the people of Cameroon who are missing the Father of the Nation. It has reinvigorated and reawaken that trust the people have when ever the President Speaks. They are expecting his reassuring words as usual”.

The learned Barister like many other Cameroonians also thinks that, the silence is a delibrate means to give a voice to the Prime Minister who is of Anglophone Origin, Supposedly being marginalised.

As Cameroonians of different walks of life, file and ranks, go about their business as usual, they are also impatiently awaiting words of hope from their leader. Little wonder a taxi driver took to the street of Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, in a solo protest Brandishing a placard which questions the whereabout of his President, Paul Biya.

However, it will be easy enough to detect and put to shame Rumour of the President’s demise in about a month and a week’s time, when he comes out publicly to officiate activities of the National Day, May 20th 2020.

This notwithstanding, some Political opponents of the tenacious president have started speculating that, he might use the Covid_19 Social Distancing option to abstain the event, afterall, “Impossible n’est pas Cameroonaise”.

Member of Parliament and leader of the PCRN Political party, Cabral Libii had already dropped the option of Social Distancing at the ceremonial Ground. Fears now loom, as if to say, if the President wishes to be represented at the event, Cameroonians will have to wait longer, maybe till when fate till the TRUTH.

PCC hit again as another Minister Resigns.

April 1st 2020, PhD student, Parish Pastor for PC Down Beach Limbe, minister in the church for 15 years, The Rev. Bah Pius resigned from the sacrament of the ministry of the Gospel in the Presbyterian Church In Cameroon.
The resignation letter that hit social Media platforms had been embodied in his morning Meditation Slut; “MORNING SHOWER OF BLESSING MEDITATION”.

An excerpt of the meditation-like Letter reads; Today the first of April 2020, I announce to all those who have links with me that I have resigned from the PCC from this day forward, and I cease from being a Pastor of the PCC”.
The man of God says after he received a letter from the synod of the church, he took a 21 day fasting before landing on the decision not to disappoint his followers especially those who follow him online worldwide.

Five days earlier, March 27th, Rev Bah Pius Inobuh had received a Desciplinary letter from the synod Clerk in Buea, Rev Miki Hans Abia, suspending him for one month. He was to stop all pastoral work, stripped off any pastoral attire and take new residence at the PCC counselling Unit in Kumba Town.
The letter from the synod indicts this Man of God for haven collected funds he can’t account for while running his online ministry parallel to the dogma of the ordination oath he took in 2005 to serve the PCC. The synod had earlier sent him a letter on November 20th 2019.

Angered by the fact that the Counsellor of the church where he is sent to is Rev Fonki Perpetua, wife of the Moderator and his opponent in this crisis, he felt defeated already. He further stated that every fund he has generated in his ministry has gone to execute projects in the church. Therefore, he saw no need continuing his Pastoral calling with the PCC.

The news of Rev Bah’s resignation has been greeted with mixed thoughts amongst Christians of this denomination especially given the fact that it comes few months after that of Rev Anye Mo Mandzong of Souza Parish. He accused the church leaders of witch hunting and poor administrative and financial accountability.

Reacting to STANDARD MIRROR on phone from his PC Up Station Bamenda Parish, African Theological Writer, Minister, Former Synod Clerk and Chaplain of the limping Cameroon Christian University (CCU), The Rev Fochang Babila George, a mentor to the Resigned Rev Bah Pius sounded devastated. He told us that, He had adviced his colleague to endure but like fate will have it, every human is different.

Writer with the lone English Language Daily, Guardian Post Newspaper in Douala, and Christian of the Presbyterian church in Bonamousadi, Brenda Kiven remarked;

“Our Pastors should however be able to practice what they preach. They must learn to endure for the church of Christ doesn’t end with one administration”

There are fears that more clergy of the church could walk similar path of resignation if urgent reconciliation is not engaged.
The number one leader of the church whose second and last mandate started in February 2020 after his re-Induction in Buea, Rt Rev Fonki Samuel Forba had often cauaioned that issues of the church should not be dragged into public space and has often remarked that the church of God will survive the storms.

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror

The Cameroonian’s Defensive Mindset in the midst of Coronavirus?

A war between Whistleblowers and Defenders of Government?

It’s not strange that being a critical mind in Cameroon has always been a hard way to go given the chaotic Governmental approach the country has, but to think that at a time when the world frantically wrestles a deadly virus as Covid_19, some diehards prefer the mental status quo

This wierd Government Defensive mindsets still stock them in a mental cocoon which might take Cameroonians walk the path of Italy or Spain in the struggle against the Novel Covid_19 Pandemic.

Many who have chosen to call the attention of the Government of the day to sanity, have often been regarded as anti-Covid_19 Fighters, even when they exhaust everything in them to hold powers accountable to making right decisions and policies to speed up this fight.
As a matter of fact, some Thinkers have often come under the hammer head for asking Government to adopt strategic measures in distributing Incentives to Cameroonians so that the nation can be Shutdown for effective management and mitigation of the effects of this Pandemic.

In their efforts to make Nonsense of all meaningful proposals, the Cameroonian Government Defensive mindset ask amongst these questions;
√ What have you also done to assist the Government?
√ Why Do you people Complain Always?
√Do you think Cameroon is the worst Country?
√If you are there, are you going to be better ?
√Do you Know more than the Government? Etc

Infact, these questions have kept them spinning in the circus, from 10 cases where Government first imposed some ineffective rules, March 17th 2020 till more than 223 cases April 1st 2020. Inshort, those rules are still begging effective Ground measures to take off.
These Questions from those who think Love the State and are sole proprietors of the Country’s Patriotism, are causing more lives of fellow citizens more than ever before.

The Cameroonian Defensive Mindset doesn’t look beyond the nose to pick Applicable examples next door.
Not long after a cry for the country to shutdown, the Head of State who has not been seen in public since the worldwide pandemic broke out, is said to have created a fund with 1billion Frs. to fight the Monstrous Virus(Far Below what is budgeted for drinks at the Presidency during feasts). Well, Good step atleast. The question now is, how impactful given the strength of the virus? But the Cameroonian mindset will ask this writer as usual, Has he not tried? Where is your own Contribution?
They won’t ask themselves How much a single minister Steals from State’s wallet, some above 109 Billions and still breath without oxygen pipes.

The Cameroonian mindset won’t look into her neighbor’s books to compare notes. At the mention of countries like Senegal that has programmed a financial scheme of close to 200, 000 frs per household for the next 3 months to enable Lockdown, you become a state enemy.

At the mention of Nigeria that has used her beautiful stadium in building a befitting quarantine center for patients instead of costly hotels adding the risk of spread like in Cameroon, you become a state enemy.
When you tell a Cameroonian that PM Abiy of Ethiopia, the Noble Peace award winner has released thousands of prisoners to curb the spread of this Pandemic, you become a non Patriotic Cameroonian.

Stop at Rwanda where President Kagame is supervising a program to distribute Food and medical supply to his citizens in this perilous era, they will say Cameroon isn’t Rwanda.

Turn over to Ghana where the President has been on TV more than 3 times since the outbreak to personally talk and encourage those who took him to power to stay strong in the midst of the crisis, The Cameroonian mindset says, their President is Head of State and Must not speak physically but via His subjects.

I mean, you reading got many of these examples of progress done in other African countries to burial the dreaded Covid_19 pandemic while sustaining the citizens.
These are people who over the years pay monies at toll gates, taxes of various types, bills, fines and penalties, rents etc to swell Government’s Treasury. How hard is the hand that has to give back?-That of their Government.

The Defensive Cameroonian mindset has kept our health minister tweeting numbers of increased cases even at midnight with policy makers observing as if the disease has friends.
Oh! What a mindset? Instead of holding power, they hold the whistleblowers. Where will our help come from?

I have often said that, Holding Powers to account Doesn’t mean validating the recalcitrance of citizens towards such crisis. We must now think anew for the situation is new. What these defenders of Government sluggish approach towards the virus fail to understand is that, it’s a collective fight which individual efforts are good but can’t work solely.

It is the legendary Bob Marley who sang;Emancipate yourself from Mental Slavery non but ourselves can free our minds

The Cameroonian mindset of Defensiveness needs an overhaul, a reboot and a retouch, else we shall wake up one morning to Tens of Thousands of Covid_19 deads daily.
Till then, be your own Government, Doctor and policy maker, with aim to live and safe the world.

Mbaku Jude

Cameroon Community Media Network , CCMN Littoral Chapter Holds Maiden Meeting , Adds New Executive Members.

Exactly 2 months after the launch of CCMN Littoral Chapter on January 20th 2020, March 20th was another appointment for members of the Professional Network group to refine their skills in Peace Journalism and Conflict Analysis .

During her presentation on the Situational Analysis of Conflict possible situations, management and resolution in the littoral Region , the Regional Coordinator for CCMN Littoral , Ms Regina Liengu Etaka Esong, stressed the need to keep abreast to these analytic techniques to guarantee effective reporting to the more than 20 members and would_be members who were present.

Responding to how effective the state of Cameroon has been in resolving it’s ongoing politico-Social , economic and cultural crisis, Ms Esong Added while presenting the resolution models;

“Every Party in a Conflict must be willing to give in something as a concensus for peace to reign. This is what Journalists or the media should monitor and encourage as peace actors“

The semi Seminar also availed Mr Jude Mbaku and Ms Brenda Kiven, CCMN Littoral Exco team members, to paint a blueprint or roadmap for the network in the region for the year 2020. They noted that , network meetings hold after every 2 months with emphasis to develop the capacities of fellow colleagues .

Satisfied, the members present expressed themselves in commitment, as they also set out rules which will bind them in unity and progress towards their mission. This was visible in the One hour effective group work of the three teams divided during the workshop session.

To complete the exco list to what the national bureau of the network orders, Mr Nwainkimo Dominic Meme of Sweet FM and Canal2 English and Vero Aji of Balafon FM, were unanimously accepted as General Secretary and Vice respectively .
They join the other 3 members to for the new exco;

Regina Liengu Etaka Esong_ Regional Coordinator Nwainkimo Dominic Meme_ General Secretary Veronica Aji _ Deputy Secretary Brenda Kiven N. _ Public Relation Officer Mbaku Jude _ Finance Clerk

The CCMN of Littoral is the youngest of the 8 chapters created last December 2019 in Buea, Headquarters of the Network . The network brings together members of community media whose efforts are fixed towards the advancement of the Notion, Principles and ideas of Peace Journalism .

The Littoral Chapter members left the Regional Delegation of Communication, Host venue in DOUALA with renewed strength and hope towards the principles of the network while looking forward to the next come together in May 2020

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror