STANDARD MIRROR

American Embassy Appreciates, BAS Threatens, Maurice Kamto remains defiant after weekend’s Prison Release Bonanza.

Pleased but demanding for more, US embassy in Yaoundé-Cameroon has issued a satisfactory note to the release of embattled Opposition leader, Cameroon Renaissance Movement ( CRM)’s Maurice Kamto. The embassy writes on facebook;

“U.S. Welcomes Dropping of Charges against Political Opposition. The U.S. Embassy welcomes the decision to drop charges against Maurice Kamto and other members and supporters of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) arrested following election protests earlier this year. Their release from prison today is a constructive step toward relieving political tensions and affirming the government’s commitment to respect for fundamental freedoms. We hope further measures will be taken in the wake of the recently concluded National Dialogue, leading to the restoration of peace in the Northwest and Southwest regions”.

Kamto whose case was still pending in court alongside many of his supporters regained freedom, Saturday October 5th just a day after a “Major National Dialogue” held in the wake of the Anglophone Crisis in the country. After his release, thousand of supporters paraded the streets in Yaoundé accompanying Kamto’s Convoy in gladness and fanfare. In reassuring them, Kamto made the declaration that he is not giving up at his initial fight to protect what he says it’s his; Victory of the October 2018 Presidential Election.

Meanwhile, anti regime Diaspora group, Brigade Anti-Sardinard ( BAS) says, Kamto’s release isn’t a show of president Biya’s Shrewdness and magnanimity but rather a result of pressure to bear on the 86 years old leader from them and the international community.
The group also notes that, the pro independence forces fighting in the restive Anglophone part of Cameroon have been very instrumental in the release process of the CRM leader and others. They demand therefore that, the leader of the Ambazonians, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and his followers still in jail and sentenced for life be released immediately. They also call for the release of Activist Mancho Bibixy and many others whom they say are illegally locked up and continue to demand that President Biya quits power after 37 years as President. Their press release below;

Many hands are crossed as to observing what President Biya can do to further empty his jails from wanton arrests at the wake of The Anglophone Crisis and Post electoral turbulence of 2016 till date. Though he had granted clemency to 333 Anglophone detainees earlier same week after same action in 2017, thousands are still incarcerated.

The actions are believed to be part of reconciliation of the Major National Dialogue of September 30th- October 4th 2019 held in Yaoundé to appease Anglophone Separatists fighting for Independence though in their absence. Many have commended the appeasement move though too little as it tackle effects than causes of the conflicts in the country.

White House Chief African Diplomat, Tibor Nagy had earlier tweeted that president biya’s actions are encouraging first moves to real Dialogue.

To the Anglophones, their struggle is rather yielding fruits elsewhere than on their detained leaders. They have vowed to continue fighting as they disregard the Dialogue that held.

Mbaku Jude

Standard Mirror

UNESCO heritage Site-Bafut Kingdom Invaded. Prince Shot, Artifacts Looted after Deadly Military Ambush.

According to two official Press Releases from the King of Bafut and the member of Parliament for Bafut Constituency, military Forces of Cameroon attacked the more than 500 years old Kingdom on September 24th 2019, leaving the royal household with their own wounds to leak.

While Prince Neba Ngu Christopher is battling from six bullet shots at the St. Mary Soledad Hospital, Nchoubuh in Mankon under the care of “Doctors Without Borders“, Queen mothers and Children are massaging wounds and sours inflicted on them by the Forces.

King Abumbih II from his hideout laments that, not only were members of his household physically maimed, but their money looted as well as artifacts from the Museum of the kingdom. Some ancestral shrines were also destroyed and some elders of the village trapped with food stuff and drinks, intercepted and molested by the men in uniform. The King has demanded for a fair investigation from the Governor of the Region.

In his own communique, vocal, outspoken Member of Parliament for Bafut Constituency, Hon. Fusi Naamukong regrets the fact that, this is happening at a time when President Biya Paul of Cameroon has called for dialogue to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Anglophone Cameroon. Hon. Fusi who had once suffered physical torture from same soldiers also feels that, impartial investigations should be done and reparations paid to the victimised Royal Household.

Till now, it is not clear yet what prompted the soldiers with their armoured charades to invade the peaceful Royal Kingdom of the status of UNESCO Heritage Site, given that no one is reported to have been arrested of any crimes committed.

Bafut however, is noted to be a stronghold of Separatist forces of Ambazonia with the “7Kata” wing controlling that kingdom. Like in many parts of the territory of West Cameroon, Many communities have their own Separatist militia groups that always combat the Cameroon Military. The locals usually end up as biggest losers after such battles losing lives and properties.

The whereabout of King Abumbi II is not clear as at now. When a similar attack happened to his colleague in the great North West Kingdom of Nso some months ago, he successfully was evacuated to the capital city, Yaoundé.

Doubt is cast if the Government of Cameroon will make any meaningful statement especially given that they have never accepted military cruelty on the locals but rather Blame the separatist fighters to the acts.
UNHCR has recorded more than 200 villages attacked and burnt fully and partially, sometimes with humans by the military. They however, have denied claims insisting that foreign structures are aiming at destabilising the country’s one and indivisibility.

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror

Horrendous Video Emerges From Ambazonian Separatists, Woman Fired at and Buried.

Opinion holders in and out of Cameroon are struggling to the rationale and trends of events that has led to the most recent atrocious televised act of the Ambazonia fighters in Anglophone Cameroon, after a video footage of 2.17sec emerged online.

The video opens at a grave side, estimated at 1×2m ( 1metre in height and 2m in length) with unidentified faces typical of Ambazonia fighters, requesting their female victim in the grave to repeat after them that, No Blackleg will get into Guzang and go scot free. Unfortunately, the victim, a grown up female from her grave seemingly tortured, could not offer a word.
The scene appears to have about 3 males speaking in pidgin and Moghamo dialect. One guy is heard asking that the victim should be buried alive while others dispute to say, she might later on escape.

The commander then asked that to be on the safe side, she must be shot at with face down in the grave before burial.
After throwing soil on her in a typical burial style of the Grassfield people of Cameroon, she is declared to Rest In Peace. She is told by the commanding voice that, they are sending her to continue in heaven while he commands his accomplice, probably not a good gun shooter, to fire the shot.

At 1:14sec, a short gun is displayed firing a faced-down female in her grave. The commander commences in Moghamo dialect “It has gone through” validating that the shooter has hit the right spot.

Another young man is also heard requesting to cover the body with soil, even if she isn’t detected dead yet. The video ends with laughter from the boys who sound accomplished.

Many who mounted courage to watch the hard scene video have taken to different online platforms to completely condemn what they say is the most barbaric and shocking video of late.
Though the time when it was recorded is not known yet by just watching, it is clear that it was done in Guzang Village, Batibo Sub Division, Momo Division, North West Region of Cameroon. This village is considered one of the boiling spots that harbours the Amba fighters since the crisis in the region morphed to an armed conflict late 2017.

Few weeks ago, another village that serves as neighbour to Batibo, Bali Nyonga, had seem a similar scene with 3 female and their babies victims termed blacklegs, severely tortured with machetes and threatened with guns. All these add to many other acts like chopping of victims fingers, heads, legs and mutilation of other body parts by these fighters.

Experts have been unanimous that, these acts are war Crimes and Crimes against humanity, indicting that perpetuators will pay for them any time soon.
While the fighters have been on ground to act, well known Diaspora activists like Eric Tataw, Tapang Ivo and Chris Anu based in the USA have been on a persistent call for more killings on people they consider going against their rules like Ghost Towns and Lockdowns in the cities across Anglophone Cameroon. They use social media platforms to communicate these dreaded messages. The separatists too never accept responsibility for crimes committed by their forces, but rather accuse Cameroon Military for the misdeed of these fighters.

The recent video has brought to mind a similar ugly scene that happened in the Far North Region of Cameroon early 2019, where some women with babies on their backs were guided to a quiet place and all fired in their skulls by Cameroon military men.

President Paul Biya, 86, has on Tuesday September 10th 2019, called for an Inclusive Major National Dialogue with all strata of the Cameroonian society including separatist fighters of the Ambazonian state. The separatists have refused what some nationals term “an olive branch” from Biya. However, analysts say a ceasefire would have been proper to end hostilities while the September month end dialogue is awaited.

The trapped population of the Anglophone Regions in Cameroon haven been in what some diplomats term as the most barbaric war zone in recent times, are wondering if the same Amba fighters as they are called, are actually for the protection of their populations as they claimed before picking arms. They say the fighters are still involved in punishing their own people more than their supposed enemy through kidnaps, rapes, looting, target killings etc.

So far, more than 2000 persons have died because of the 3 years war, 50,000 more as refugees in neighbouring countries and more than 250,000 as internally displaced people within the nation of Cameroon.

Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, Head of the Declared National Dialogue Commission is currently receiving proposals, suggestions and opinions from every group of persons who wish to add a voice for normalcy to return to the turbulent regions and the country as a whole. The U.N and other international stakeholders have indicated their interest to mediate in the peace process.

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror

SDO for Meme, South West Cameroon Declares 2 Days Lockdown.

Ndong Chamberlain, administrative boss, Meme Division of the restive South West of Cameroon has in a communique dated September 5th, ordered for a shutdown of the division especially it’s headquarter, Kumba for 2 days.

The administrator who has been active is frustrating activities of separatist fighters for the creation of the Ambazonian Nation says, the Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th lockdown is owing to security threats posed by the “Amba Fighters” in Meme Division.

His ban affects markets, public gatherings, schools, churches, transportation, businesses and every activity as total ghost town is expected on these days. However, administrative cars, military armors and ambulances are permitted strictly to circulate.

This decision has come as a hard pill forced down the throats of denizens of this town who are currently trapped in an unpopular 2 weeks lockdown equally sanctioned by the Separatists to stop schools from resuming in Anglophone Cameroon.

Understanding that Saturdays and Sundays are days that the separatists had kept aside for businesses to run and for the population to stock food stuff and medication ahead of the upcoming week of lockdown, many think that Mr Chamberlain’s move is a retaliative approach to punish citizens for what they describe as “Obedience to the separatists calls”.

Administrative authorities in the Anglophone Cameroon have of late taken harsh decisions to complement those of separatist that have left the innocent civilian between the devil and the red sea. The people say, they are found wanting between two demons.

An Anonymous writer to the Standard Mirror from Meme Division’s Chief town, Kumba says, such days are most dreaded for them as many are killed by crossfire operations. Looting, kidnaps, and other inhumane atrocities are on the rise. ” I wish I had escaped to Douala at the start of this lockdown ” she cried.

Some weeks ago, Iron rods for construction had been banned from another Division Lebialem, as fear rise that the most active militia group, Red Dragon of Field Marshal could use them for fabrication of local arms.

In other places like the North West region, Governor Adolf Lele had stopped circulation of motor bikes in some areas for fear of militia attacks.

As the crisis persist with over 2,000 recorded dead, many more are running into refugee camps in neighbouring Nigeria while more empty themselves in French Cameroon.

The Government of President Paul Biya has remained defiant to calls from local and international stakeholders to call for dialogue that could end the crisis that is in its 3rd year.

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror

Cameroonian Newspapers shoot Self, Publish Controversial Unique Stories on same editions.

Debates and counter arguments are yet to settle amongst members of the Cameroonian press corp and lovers of the media after more than 10 newspapers across the country published 2 stories with same caption on same day, Monday August 26th 2019.

Amongst these papers are renowned Leading Anglophone papers like The Guardian Post and The Median Newspaper. They had join other French Papers like Info Matin and L’Independence to question with same caption on their front pages Why Norway Should Harbour and Protect a murderous Terrorist, Ayaba Cho Lucas.

Meanwhile, more than five other French language papers amongst, Me Soir and Sans Detour, had published same story and another about another Pro Independence Activist of The Southern Cameroons, Mark Bareta, Based in Belgium, pitting him against Belgian Government for crimes in the Restive anglophone Cameroon.

These stories have rather been greeted with fear that the Cameroonian press is fast becoming a tool in the hands of the Cameroonian Government whose interest, the stories serve. The style of presentation betrays any iota of coincidence in both stories.

Though these 2 activists have been greatly involved in the calling for civil disobedience and acts of Terror in the Anglophone Cameroon, the timing, and focus these paper accorded the stories same day are considered by majority as unusual.

Some Newspaper Reporters have been quick to vindicate themselves, blaming their publishers and Editor-In- Chiefs for doing dirty deals to their detriments. They however have not been able to raise their voices for fear of losing their jobs. Some say the voice of the “Watchdogs” have been silenced by a huge influence of Government in Media Business.

Others have argued that it’s a norm and that Press men need to put food on that tables and so they have to use it for business. This accounts for why some Publishers have often boasted of having connections in Government and can deal with upright colleagues at will if they attempt putting them asunder with their “ungodly” financial sources for publications done.

The Cameroonian Press over the years has suffered censorship with some journalists incarcerated for speaking up. Others have simply gone on exile while some grow fat from publishing stories that take sides.

On World Press Freedom Days every May 3rd, these professionals have often cried foul and demanded redress of such issues. The major question remains, “Who is the problem of the ugly Press Practices in the Country. The Government or The Press Itself?”

After the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary The Press is considered FORTH ESTATE. It checks all the three above. Now many ask, “who will watch the watchdog?”

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror

The Tale of Fru Ndi, The Key and the Chiefs. Who is beating the drums?

Many must have read on newspapers and watch mainstream and social media reports the ongoing brouhaha in Limbe subdivision between the chiefs of that city and political Icon, John Fru Ndi. The issue has become a tussle for supremacy and with iotas of political witch hunting in the traditional milieu.

Just Recently, For giving Fru Ndi the key to Limbe Paramount chief palace, the Paramount ruler elect has been fined the to pay 1 pig, 1O bottles of Whisky, 3 Crates of beer and 200,000frs to be shared among other Chiefs. This including an apology letter and promise to bring the symbolic key back from Fru Ndi to Limbe.

The title awarder John Elufa Manga Williams came under pressure after an ultimatum given him by the other 14 Chiefs of Limbe. On the 17th June Communique from the Limbe Conference of traditional rulers, it was intimated that the said giver of the traditional key, is still a chief elect and hasn’t been initiated into the conference of traditional rulers full flesh. For also not seeking their consent and acting as a Paramount Chief, they declared Manga Williams guilty.

When this news broke out, the Social Democratic Front, SDF District Chairman for Limbe reacted, indicting political heavy hands for the actions of the chiefs.

Before now, SDF chairman as an Honorary member of the Limbe traditional key who had already suffered state denial to visit the country’s refinery in same Limbe that had been ravages by a strange fire, had travelled to Bamenda, his hometown.

From his Ntarinkon Residence in Bamenda, he declared that the decision of the chiefs were of no consequence to him as they aren’t the givers of the Key. He also made it clear that, they could come over to Bamenda and collect it, and he could hand it only on request of the giver.

Barely a week later, Chief Manga Williams succumbs, with acceptance to pay the fine and to go by the orders of his peers. Trick? Fear? Conviction? Threat? Really no one can quickly tell from his perspective.

However, many are of the opinion that, the move of the Chiefs is far above correction of a colleague, but an stance to completely continue puncturing the image of the main opposition leader in Cameroon. To make nonsense of anyone not of the ruling class or the ruling party, CPDM.

Being a country with very small proportion of Democratic practice, blatant disrespect of constitutional provisions, poor governance and other leadership ills, political quagmire and witch hunting haven’t deserted the falling nation. The chiefs are a classical example.

Over the years, the Anglosaxons in Cameroon have always cherished their cultures and traditional figures as embodiments of their existence, until unhealthy politics and money trekked their ways into palaces across the Mungo.

How can one explain the fact that after refusing Fru Ndi from entering SONARA, a key of honour is denied him, the Most Prominent Anglophone, in the Anglophone city of Limbe? It is learned that same key had earlier been handed over to the SDO of that area who is Francophone, but a chief dare not oppose. Surprised?

Marginalization and Suppression of the Anglophones is a way of life in Cameroon, reason for the ongoing war to separate from them by the “Ambazonians”.
Who is empowering the chiefs to stand against a title that takes off nothing from them? Fru Ndi, a child West of the Mungo, could the torture be ofvthe French Cameroon Government in Yaoundé or by the same South Westerners John Fru Ndi has defended all along his political career?

A prophet is never recognized at home. Few years ago, an Afro American Community in the USA awarded John Fru Ndi an Honorary title for his political achievements in keeping a peaceful opposition in Cameroon. Isn’t he worth just more than a key from the Limbe traditional palace?

Who is playing the drums then, for those chiefs who were powerless in the face of Okalia Bernard, Governor for South West region when he ordered them to march like school kids on National day only to be rescued by activists of Anglophone origin?

Fru Ndi, a no nonsense political guru might not care about the controversial key and the conspicuous denial by his own people of Limbe, but Anglophones in Cameroon, dead and alive have reasons to weep for this singular disrespect of a man who stand tall in the aspects of well being in Cameroon.

June 24th, same chiefs in a communique claim they have forgiven their son. But fail to tell if they collected the fines nor are they still expecting the key

While waiting to get the events ahead surrounding the handing over of the Key, if John Fru Ndi will give in, we are still in search, and fervently of who is beating the Chiefs drums.

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror

Cameroon Government denies Popular Opposition leader basic right of Movement in the Country.

Cameroonians and most especially those of the 2 crisis hit Anglophone regions are yet to take chill pills on most social media platforms in condemning what they describe as a hyperbolic violation of basic human rights of a political leader.

John Fru Ndi, Chairman of the Social Democratic Front Party Created in 1990 had been stopped by Cameroonian military forces not to step foot into the lone Oil Refinery, June 13th 2019 as he went visiting.

The political icon who has been president Paul Biya’s closest rival since multi-partism was introduced in the country, had gone to Limbe, South West Region of Cameroon to see for himself the damage caused by a wild fire few days ago. He however got intercepted by an order from the Government’s administrator of Limbe 2 subdivision who is said to have highlighted that Fru Ndi’s coming is a Threat and might create an atmosphere of insecurity.

Over the years, Fru Ndi has been in Cameroon and has never been charged or convicted for any crime against the state. Denial for him to visit the area has gotten his supporters questioning why a Cameroonian like their leader will be denied his right to movement.

Cameroon’s constitution empowers every Cameroonian to walk freely within the territory be it from the former Southern Cameroons or The French Cameroon, since reunification.

Before his disrupted visit, many other government and non state officials had visited the refinery that lost more than 10 billion francs CFA in Flame. The Chiefs of the region visited a day before.

Many believe that the regime of President biya is settling scores with the leader of The SDF after his party declared few days ago that, they won’t take part in the triple Elections tipped for later 2019 owing to the fact that the Government is proving reluctant to solve the ongoing Crisis in the Anglophone part of the country.

The party is yet to make an official statement on the June 13th Rights violation of their national Chairman.

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror, SM

AGC3 “Might” Hold in Bamenda. Conveners Await Bamenda 2 Divisional Officer’s Approval

Conveners of the All Anglophone General Conference 3 have issued a declaration intending to hold their Conference from July 11th to 12th of July 2019 in Bamenda. The choice of the venue is has been shifted from Buea in the South West region to the Catholic Cathedral of Big Mankon in Bamenda.

The Wednesday 29th May 2019 letter signed by the Chief Convener, Christian Cardinal Tumi, is still pending on the table of the Divisional Officer of Bamenda 2 subdivision who is the competent authority to sanction the meeting according to law number 90/55 of 09th December 1990 that lays down regulations Governing public meetings and Processions.

Within these 2 days in Bamenda, the conference will seek to bring together all shades of opinions, ideas and proposals from the 13 divisions of the Anglophone community, Southern Cameroons. This will be achieved through public presentations, Group discussions and at the end of the event, Proposals will be adopted and send to President Paul Biya for further treatment.

The option to change the venue has not been explained by the conveners given that it has failed on more than 2 occasions to hold in Buea. The mayor of that town, Ekema Patrick had earlier declared that, such a conference that could jeopardize the unitary form of the Cameroon state shall not be tolerated in his jurisdiction. Hopes are now tilted towards the Divisional Officer of Bamenda 2 if he will give the greenlight for the event.

The AAGC3 that saw it birth on July 25th 2018 in Douala-Cameroon, is a brainchild of renowned Catholic Prelate, Christian Cardinal Tumi, who alongside other mainstream church leaders like Rt Rev. Fonki Samuel of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Rev Ncham Godwill of the Cameroon Baptist Convention and Imam Muhammed of the Central mosque in Buea, are seeking lasting solutions to the ongoing crisis in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon.

It still doubted how consequential the proposals from the meeting will be given that, the biligerents of the crisis haven’t indicated interest in the “Tumi’s Initiative”. The Seperatists fighting for the Ambazonian State have declared it a ‘Federalism Union’ seeking continuous living together with La Republique Du Cameroun, whom they consider their oppressor. They base their argument on the fact that, the Union failed when the 1972 federation between both Countries was betrayed by the other party and the Federal State completely absorbed back into the Republic of Cameroon, as was in on January 1st 1960 of French Cameroon independence, while theirs followed on October 1st 1961.

The Cameroon government too has been reluctant because, it still believes in the decentralized system of governance used today, though power is still highly centralized. They have declared their willingness to dialogue with “genuine Anglophones” but on condition that the form of the state, especially Secession, is not an option on the dialogue table. The government is gunning for what they term, ‘Effective Decentralisation”. The international community has called for a broad base dialogue without preconditions.

Cognisant of the mishmash between both parties, the Spoke man of the AGC3, Ace Journalist Elie Smith, had undergone a Europe-Americas tour with various stakeholders in the diaspora, I’m a strive to have their proposals for a possible solution while creating a common ground for both parties to hold talks.

Political thinkers are still struggling to understand what risk the government of Cameroon stands to run by denying the Anglophones from coming together and redefining a suitable form of livelihood and state format, especially given that the conference is convened by Church Leaders. Whatever the case, the Bamenda AGC3 will only be realistic if approved by the Cameroonian State Authorities through their Divisional Officer in Bamenda 2 as awited.

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror

Bamenda at the Lip of Unhealthy Upsurge, more HYSACAM workers Kidnapped.

Evening hours of Thursday April 11th, a truck and 3 workers of the waste management company in Bamenda, HYSACAM , were abducted at the refuge dump site of Mile 6 and 7, Mankon. These workers and their equipments are still in an unknown destination under the hostage of Unidentified gunmen. These gunmen are believed to be members of the separatist forces fighting for the separation of the Anglophone communities from the dominantly French Cameroon.

Since arm conflict erupted in the region late 2017, it has been difficult for big companies like HYSACAM to effectively carryout their job. This accounts for why, the one time most healthy and cleanest city in Cameroon has become a risky health and sanitation zone with stinking waste everywhere around the city. The population is also yet to know how to manage her waste as every corner of the street are often littered with bio and non biodegradables. Health workers have often noted that the situation of dirt explosion could lead to serious health crisis as fear of a cholera outbreak was announced by the North West Regional Delegation, ministry of Public Health in 2018.

The recent abduction is only going to exercebate the health risk and increase the ugly sanitation situation which the Company has been fighting to reverse. These workers have had challenging times working given that, both belligerents of the ongoing crisis have instituted rules that impede the company effective functioning at the work place.

Thanks to the curfew imposed by North West Governor from 9pm to 6am for 1 year running, working to clean streets at night has been impossible, reducing about 5 hours of working time. This creates overload of work with very limited human and material resources at dawn coupled with overcrowded streets.
On the part of separatists, they have vowed not to permit any Company of French background to operate in the region. This accounts for the kidnaps

Last year, one truck was set ablaze at the original dump site in Nkwen, with several threat for the workers not to use the area again. This took them back to the old one in Mankon. HYSACAM workers like other big companies especially those involved in construction, have often come under attack by these fighters. Individuals and businesses are also suffering kidnaps, thievery, ransom taking and even chopping of body parts and killings from some of the fighters.

For a company that is task to clean the entire city with just about a billion frs suffering from such brunts and having existed for just about 3 years in the city, it is not known if it will cope the ugly ways. The Communication unit of HYSACAM is yet to make a statement. It remains unclear where the truck and three workers are, and what the demands of the abductors are as well.

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror

Bamenda at the Lip of Unhealthy Upsurge, more HYSACAM workers Kidnapped.

Evening hours of Thursday April 11th, a truck and 3 workers of the waste management company in Bamenda, HYSACAM , were abducted at the refuge dump site of Mile 6 and 7 Mankon. These workers and their equipments are still in an unknown destination under the hostage of Unidentified gunmen. These gunmen are believed to be members of the separatist forces fighting for the separation of the Anglophone communities from the dominantly French Cameroon .

Since arm conflict erupted in the region late 2017 , it has been difficult for big companies like HYSACAM to effectively carryout their job. This accounts for why, the one time most healthy and cleanest city in Cameroon has become a risky health zone with stinking waste everywhere around the city. The population is also yet to know how to manage her waste as they litter every street corner with both bio and non-biodegradables. Health workers have often noted that the situation might lead to serious health crisisin the region as fears of a cholera outbreak was announced by the Regional Delegation, ministry of Public Health, North West in 2018.

The recent abduction is only going to exercebate the health risk and increase the ugly sanitary situation which the Company has been fighting to reverse. These workers have had challenging times at work given that, both belligerents of the ongoing crisis have instituted rules that impede effective functioning of the company.

Thanks to the curfew imposed by North West Governor from 9pm to 6am for 1 year running, working to clean streets at night has been impossible, reducing about 5 hours of working time. This create overload of work with very limited human and material resources at dawn and also with overcrowded streets.
On the part of separatists, they have vow not to permit any Company of French background to operate in the region. This accounts for the kidnaps.

For a company that has the entire city of Bamenda to clean all year round with just about a billion frs budget, suffering such brunts will only send it packing. HYSACAM is less than 3 years old in the region after taking over the waste management exercise from the Bamenda City Council, BCC.

The Communication unit of HYSACAM is yet to make a statement. It remains unclear where the truck and three workers are and what the demands of the abductors are as well. It’s also not known if the company will continue work anytime soon. Officials of the City Council have describe the act as shocking and alerted that it’s a bleak day for health and sanitation in the region.

Mbaku Jude
Standard Mirror