CAMEROON: AGBOR BALLA CONDEMNS KILLINGS, VIOLENCE

WE SAY NO TO VIOLENCE!

We have watched and endured too many of the killings, violence and arrests over the last 11 months. I react not as a leader, but rather as a parent, as a concerned citizen, and as a father. In fact, my heart bleeds! It could have been my brother or sister, it could have been me. I bleed for the young and vibrant Enow Riddley in Kumba, who dreamed and hoped to practise Law for the sake of Justice; a good student and hard worker.

In a nation that did not fulfill his dreams. He was shot and killed by a soldier. I weep for Amin Benjamin, a youth and model for our technology industry, who studied in India and returned to build and develop his community and nation, but was shot and killed by another soldier in Kumba. My heart aches for the grandmother who was shot in Ekona, just for expressing her concern, for speaking out for her rights. 

All of this must stop! The killing and violence have to stop! I denounce in strong terms such excessive use of force that has resulted in deaths reported here and there. I therefore call on the government to carry out proper investigations and punish all security forces who may have abused their positions by resorting to the use of lethal force. The right to protest is enshrined in the Constitution of our country, and it must be respected and not applied selectively.

While the right to public protest is constitutional, it must be done in a manner that must avoid attracting the heavy hand of security forces. We have observed with dismay that in the exercise of their constitutional rights to peacefully protest, our people were met with excessive force by security forces. I extend my condolences to all the families in Tombel, Akwaya, Bamenda, Kumbo, Buea and other areas in the North West and South West Regions who lost loved ones who had used the streets to express their earnest desire for change, justice, equality and recognition. For your sacrifices, we can promise you one thing, and it is the fact that we will come together, take meaningful action to prevent more arrests and killing and solve these problems.

God bless us! Nkongho Felix Agbor.