Agbor Balla lauds punishment of Ngarbuh massacre perpetrators

Several reactions have been streaming in since government announced punishment for soldiers and reparation for victims of the Ngarbuh massacre.

Appreciating the move, Barrister Agbor Felix Nkongho says it is a good thing government has finally held the military accountable.

Getting there he says was however not an easy task. “It should be worthy of note that on 16 February 2020, upon due investigation, we concluded that the military was responsible for the massacre. After issuing a statement accusing the military of the said massacre and calling for a Commission of Inquiry, we were threatened with legal action.”

Expressing joy over the vindication, he says “We have to continue Advocating for a just and equitable society where the rule of law and respect of fundamental human rights will be the rule and not the exception.”

“Congratulations to all the Human rights organisations, activists, advocates, journalists, politicians etc. who raised their voices against this gruesome massacre and egregious crimes” Barrister Nkongho adds.

The head of the Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA also highlights the need to “condemn heinous and gross and systematic violations against the population irrespective of the perpetrator.”

Despite the praises government is getting for the move, many say there is more than what meets the eye. To Edith Kah Wallah of the Cameroon Peoples Party (CPP), government officials that had been defending the military’s action should be punished too.

After the Ngarbuh massacre, Minister Atanga Nji added his voice to that of the Minister of communication stressing that soldiers had done just their jobs.

He later accused human rights groups of aiding separatist fighters charged with carrying out the Ngarbuh massacre.

MMI