MINAT Allegedly Stops Canal2 From Airing Barrister Alice Nkom’s Interview

The Ministry of Territorial Administration is said to have ordered Canal2 TV to refrain from airing an interview with Barrister Alice Nkom.

On Sunday, December 15, many waited for Canal2 TV to broadcast the interview it had earlier publicized. But at nightfall, the Douala-based channel was instead showing a different program.

Neither Canal2 TV nor Barrister Alice Nkom have explained why the show was cancelled. As of now, many only question what she said in the interview.

But Kah Walla, leader of the Cameroon People’s Party, said a call apparently came in. To her, that call to Canal2 explains the cancellation. She accused the Ministry of Territorial Administration.

The Barrister has been in the news lately following her standoff with Cameroon Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji.

Minister Atanga Nji, a fortnight ago suspended five non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country. One of them is RHEDAC, which is chaired by barrister Alice Nkom. The minister equally banned RHEDAC 2.

According to Atanga Nji, the NGOs lack transparency in the management of finances amounting to 16 billion FCFA.

Following the ban and suspension, Wouri Senior Divisional Officer swung into action, sealing offices. When the office of RHEDAC was sealed, Barrister Alice Nkom destroyed the seal. That has generated hits between her and the administration.

SDO Adjourns Summon of Barrister Alice Nkom Again

When Nkom destroyed the seal, the Wouri SDO summoned her. She, however, did not attend on the grounds that it was immediate.

She requested another schedule, which the SDO accepted, and took it to Monday, December 16.

However, in the early hours of Monday, MMI learnt the SDO had adjourned the summon to December 19. No explanation has been given so far. We learnt many in the economic capital had planned to follow Barrister Alice Nkom to the SDO’s office.

Cancellation of Interview Casts Doubts on Freedom of Expression

When Canal2 did not broadcast the interview, many accused MINAT of clamping down on freedom of expression.

Some have instead requested Minat to also do that in other sectors that are worsening the country.

“Apparently, a call cancelled the show,” Kah Walla, leader of CCP, wrote.

“If only Minat could apply this energy to problems within his competence,” she added.

To her, if that is done, Cameroonians would be safer and happier.

Some said they knew the interview was never going to air. Owing to Canal2’s close relationship with the government, many said the matter was above the channel.