ELECAM snubs killing of two staff in NW, announces readiness for senatorial elections

The elections management body in Cameroon, ELECAM, has announced it’s readiness for the senatorial elections scheduled to hold on March 12, 2023.

The body has summarily given a blind eye to the killing of two of it’s senior officials in the North West Region of the country.

ELECAM’s board Chairman, Enow Abrams Egbe made the pronouncement January 18, 2023 shortly after a meeting in the Cameroon’s capital Yaounde.

“The senatorial election will take into account for the first time, in accordance with the law, the involvement of Regional Councillors as full voters of the electoral college,” Said ELECAM boss.

This comes shortly after two senior officials of ELECAM were killed in Bamenda, headquarters of the restive North West region.

Yufola Gilbert, ELECAM head for Jakiri was allegedly targeted and killed at his home January 18, 2023 while the Divisional delegate of ELECAM for Momo, Kahyi John Fai was attacked and killed by an angry mob in his residence January 19, 2023 for allegedly colluding with armed robbers.

The electoral body has issued no statement over the recent killings.

The attacks leading to the death of two ELECAM officials came after some Separatist Ambazonia leaders threatened to disrupt the senatorial elections in the restive Anglophone regions rocked in an armed conflict since 2016.

MMI can not independently confirm whether the two officials were targeted in relation to the upcoming elections.

Ayaba Cho Lucas, leader of separatist group called Ambazonia Governing Council, had in tweet on Monday January 16, 2023 said , “The elections called by Cameroon on March 12 are prohibited.”

It is not known wether the recent attacks were carried out by the separatist militia loyal to him.

While reports say Kahyi John Fai was killed by an angry mob, Yufola Gilbert was killed by unknown gunmen with no one claiming responsibility.

By David Atangana