Day: May 16, 2023

May 16 is the international day of living together in peace.

In Cameroon, the celebrtaion of this day comes in a context where the country is getting ready to observe its national unity day celebrated every May 20th although a socio-political crisis has been rocking the two English – speaking regions of the country for 7 years now.

In Babadjou subdivision, a locality in the West region, bordered by the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, many internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were forced to settle there because of the crisis sy they have had no problems adapting to their host communities and are living in harmony.

“I feel comfortable here because Babadjou people are very welcoming. Since I came here, they gave me a farm for me to cultivate and my landlord also gave me this space for my business. That’s how I do to feed my family,” Judith, an IDP in Babadjou tells us while pointing to her business spot. “When I reached here, it’s true I faced some difficulties adapting myself here but with time many people understood we were from the North West and had to take us as we are,” she adds.

” When I reached here I had difficulties in having a house but I came to understand that the people could not give me because they did not know me. It’s with time that I became used to my host community and now I can assure you that I live here like a Babadjou man,” another IDP Paul, confirms.

Indigenes on their part say there is no problem with them receiving their brothers from the neighboring regions.

“I personally have no problem with my English-speaking brothers from the other side. I know what they face and it can be me tomorrow. That is why I receive them whenever they knock at my door. More to that, I’m used to travelling to the English-speaking zones and the way they receive me is wonderful, why not return them the same treatment? ” an indigene wonders.

The UN General-Assembly, in its resolution 72/130, declared May 16 the international day of living together in peace, as a means of regularly mobilizing the efforts of the international community to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Some security forces working in the restive North West region have been accusing authorities in the region of delaying their salary advancements and other benefits for years now.

According to a reliable source working in the Police, ever since they graduated from the police training college about 4 years ago, their integration salary, advancement and other salary arrears have not been paid although they continue risking their lives fighting separatist fighters in the region.

While speaking to CNA, the source who preferred to be anonymous revealed that authorities of the Police corps in particular, have refused to listen to their complaints but keep on sending them to fight separatists in exchange for meagre salaries.

“They don’t even think that we have families, how we feed them and pay bills. All they want is that we should keep fighting so that they should be enjoying in their comfortable offices. Since we left school in 2019, we have not received this money. All that we are managing on is the monthly salary, which is too small,” a security officer said.

The source added that some of their colleagues have paid a bribe and have received their integration salaries meanwhile a majority of them are still waiting.

The source further explained that the manager of a bank where they receive salaries told them that only top officials in the security or government can give them the go ahead. He reluctantly said there is nothing they can do at the level of banks.

This is however not the first time that security officers working in the armed conflict regions are accusing their authorities for mismanagement, malpractices and corruption. Earlier this year, some of them released a voice message on social media decrying how they were abandoned in a war area and authorities were demanding bribe before they could be relieved.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

About a year ago on May 11 2022, the Governor of the North West region, Adolphe Lele L’Afrique handed over a total of 80 new motorcycles to Senior Divisional Officers of the region to distribute to vigilante groups in their divisions.

This was during a security meeting where the Governor presented the bikes and said they were instruments to help fight insecurity in the communities.

One year after, many are of the opinion that these motorbikes did not even reach the vigilante groups who have risked their lives collaborating with forces of law and order for peace to return in the socio-politically challenged region. Others have affirmed that these bikes must have ended up in the hands of administrative officials who either sold them or repurposed them.

A member of one of such groups working with government soldiers in Bui division told CNA that they did not receive anything from the SDO.

“To be sincere, I am surprised to hear about that we were given motorbikes. We use our personal bikes to investigate and deliver information. At times they give us money for fuel or we go together,” he said.

The informant who has been into the service for close to two years say he does it to feed his family and also for peace to reign in the North West region.

Since the socio-political crisis started, the government of Cameroon has made it clear they need the support from vigilante groups to locate and capture separatist fighters in the local communities.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The High Court on Tuesday gave the judgement of not guilty to Azaan Madisia and Steven Mulundu, both of whom stood accused of murdering Walvis Bay native, Shannon Wasserfall.

High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg handed down the judgement of not guilty for murder and not guilty for theft and robbery with aggravated circumstances.

The co-accused were however found guilty of defeating or obstructing the course of justice, while Madisia was found guilty on an additional charge of fraud.

“The State has led no evidence in proving the murder and robbery charges and based its case on conflicting statements made by the accused persons during the police investigation of the disappearance of the deceased,” the judgement said.

The 22-year-old Wasserfall was reported missing in Walvis Bay on 10 April 2020. Her remains were found buried at the harbour town on 06 October 2020 after an anonymous text message was sent to the deceased’s father.

The accused have not yet been sentenced.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency