African Bar Association acclaims lawyers’ planned demonstrations in Cameroon

By Tata Mbunwe
The African Bar Association has lended support to the Cameroonian lawyers’ planned protests scheduled between November 30 to December 4.

According to a release signed by the Country Chairman of the African Bar, Stanisius Ajong, the planned protest is necessary to “restore the dignity of their calling”.

“We also suggest that you seek avenues to meet with the head of the judiciary in he country, who is the Chairperson of the Higher Judicial Council,” stated the African Bar in a release.

The African Bar stated that Cameroonian authorities should free up the judiciary and reduce the power exerted on the judicial arm of Government.

The lawyers are saying authorities are preventing them from executing their duties.
This follows an incident on November 9 where some lawyers were brutalised by police when they came to defend their colleagues at the Court of First Instance Bonanjo.

Days later, outspoken Barrister Richard Tamfu and Mâitre Armel Tchueumegne Kenmegne were arrested and charged for inciting rebellion among other crimes.

Lawyers have been advocating for their release alongside two other lawyers who were arrested over one weekd – which resulted to the Cameroon Bar Association President announcing last week that about 30 lawyers are wanted by the the Cameroon Government.

Although Government has issued no threat or warning, the lawyers’ November 30 strike risks a heavy crackdown from security forces.

This was the case in 2016 when Anglophone lawyers were heavily brutalised by security officers during their protests against the gradual eradication of Common Law values from Anglophone courts.

Mimi Mefo Info