Cameroon Supreme Court and Anglophone Marginalization: 32 years of Biya's folly

The judiciary is one area that the Biya Francophone Beti-Ewondo regime has demonstrated its frightful and unloving attitude towards the Anglophone community in Cameroon. Even when Simon Achidi Achu was appointed Prime Minister, the Francophones immediately concocted the post of a Vice Prime Minister and it is often given to a powerful Francophone figure to bully to submission the anglophone leader. Even with Philemon Yang, the Biya Francophone Beti-Ewondo hegemony still has a powerful Secretary General who reports to him on the actions of the Prime Minister. This attitude is completely unacceptable and supports the case for an Anglophone state. President Biya's recent appointments after the High Judicial Council meeting signals that the marriage between Francophones and Anglophones has broken down irretrievably. We of Cameroon Concord hereby present to our readers a frank, candid and thoughtful key to understanding President Paul Biya's anti anglophone stance over the last 32 years.

Structure of the Supreme Court and administrative positions before the December 2014 high judicial council meeting

1)Bench:

First President: Alexis Dipanda Mouelle

Judicial Bench: 

President: Alexis Dipanda Mouelle (Held two positions cumulatively)

Audit Bench:

President: Marc Ateba Ombala

Administrative Bench: 

President: Atangana Clement

2) Legal Department

Attorney General (Procureur General in French): Martin Rissouck A Moulong

1st Deputy Attorney General: Mr Belibi 


Names and positions after the December 2014 (Now as it stands)

First President: Daniel Mekobe Sone

Audit bench President: Marck Ateba Ombala

Judicial Bench President: Bisteck Dagobert

Administrative Bench: Andre Belombe

Attorney General: Luc Ndjondo

1st Deputy Attorney General: George Mbengue



The AGBAW-EBAI DEBATE can now reveal that no Anglophone holds any of the administrative top positions in the court. Why? Correspondingly, Dipanda Mouelle was first president and president of the judicial bench cumulatively. Why so much power vested on an individual?

Anglophone judges in the supreme court presently are as follows:

Epuli Mathias-Deputy president(Was interim president of the administrative bench at one time. Biya and his Francophone Beti-Ewondo government thinks he not ripe to hold the position now full time)
Mr Morfaw (Advocate General)
Mrs Asuagbor (Deputy President)
Hilman Egbe (Advocate General)
Mr Teghen (Advocate General)
Mr Moma (Deputy President)
Mrs Mutchia (Deputy President-Audit bench)
Mrs Wacka (Deputy President-audit bench)
Mr Mballe (Deputy President)
Njumbe Erbest (Deputy President)
Mr Mbah (Advocate General)
Mr.Ayah paul (Advocate General)

Out of circa 70 members of the court we have only 12/13 Anglophones. No one has an executive position in the highest court in the land. This Biya action cannot be accidental!! It is deliberate!!!!!! Any Anglophone who is strong is appointed deputy and of course power is in the hands of the boss NOT the assistant. Anglophone constitute 17 per cent of the court. THIS IS A COUNTRY THAT ANGLOPHONE CHILDREN ARE FIGHTING AND DYING IN THE FAR NORTH TO DEFEND. It is indeed shameful, disgusting and disgraceful. There is even a lack of gender balance in a country that pretends to respect the rights of women. Justice Florence Arrey is one of the most senior judges in Cameroon today with international standing. Justice Epuli Mathias super scale magistrate (First Group) has been interim president of the Administrative Bench but cannot hold any of the functions even today. Justice Guanmesia Lucy (former minister) and her husband are capable of being President of the Supreme Court or Attorney General. Or why can Itoe Benjamin-a long standing judge with international reputation not be appointed president of Supreme Court or Attorney General? All what our Anglophone Judges have is a black 607 or a 407 peugeot, a driver, a fix telephone with free international calls, a fridge constantly filled with drinks and regular invitations to attend lavish state functions at home and abroad. What can Justice Guanmesia do as Secretary General in the Ministry of Justice with a strong Francophone figure like Laurent Esso? 

The AGBAW-EBAI DEBATE is asking the question: Do English speaking Cameroonians have a future in the Republic of Cameroon?