The silenced cry of the Far North: How Biya’s ban on a forum reveals his indifference to the plight of his people

The forum, which was supposed to take place on February 14, 2024, in Maroua, the capital of the Far North, was intended to raise awareness and mobilize resources to address the humanitarian crisis that has been affecting the region for years.

The Far North, which comprises the Adamawa, North and Extreme North regions, is the poorest and most marginalized part of Cameroon. It is also the most affected by the insecurity caused by the terrorist group Boko Haram, which has been carrying out attacks and kidnappings in the area since 2014. According to the United Nations, more than 2.6 million people in the Far North are in need of humanitarian assistance, and more than 1.2 million are food insecure. The situation has been worsened by the effects of climate change, which have reduced agricultural production and access to water.

The forum, which was initiated by Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, a native of the Far North and a close ally of Biya, was supposed to be an opportunity for the political, traditional and religious leaders of the region, as well as civil society and development partners, to discuss the causes and solutions of the famine, and to appeal for more support from the central government and the international community. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, who has been distributing millet to the populations as a personal gesture, had informed Biya of his intention to organize the forum during the ceremony of presentation of wishes on January 6, 2024. Biya, who seemed surprised and indifferent, had vaguely suggested a “reflection on the subject”.

However, behind the scenes, Biya had instructed his secretary general, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, to send a letter to the chief of staff of the president of the National Assembly, to cancel the forum. The letter, dated February 9, 2024, did not give any reason or explanation for the decision, but simply stated that Biya had ordered the annulment of the event. The letter was received by Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, who had no choice but to issue a press release postponing the forum to a later date, without specifying when.

This arbitrary and authoritarian move by Biya is a clear sign of his contempt for the people of the Far North, who have been loyal to him for decades, despite receiving little or no attention from his government. Biya, who has been in power since 1982, and who will be 99 years old by the end of his current term in 2025, has rarely visited the region, and has done little to improve its socio-economic conditions. By banning the forum, he has not only denied the people of the Far North a chance to voice their concerns and demands, but also a chance to receive some solidarity and assistance from their fellow Cameroonians and the international community.

Biya’s ban on the forum also reveals his fear of any form of dissent or challenge to his authority, even from his own allies. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, who has been the president of the National Assembly since 1992, and who has always supported Biya’s policies and constitutional amendments, has been publicly humiliated and disavowed by his boss. Biya, who is known for his preference for older and loyal figures in his government, has shown that he does not tolerate any initiative or expression that does not come from him or serve his interests. He has also shown that he does not care about the democratic principles of dialogue, consultation and participation, which are essential for the resolution of the complex and multifaceted problems facing Cameroon.

The ban on the forum is a missed opportunity for Biya and his government to show some compassion and responsiveness to the plight of the Far North, and to demonstrate some leadership and vision for the future of Cameroon. Instead, it is a confirmation of his detachment and indifference to the realities and aspirations of his people, and his inability and unwillingness to address the urgent issues that threaten the peace, stability and development of his country.