Editorial: CPDM law makers as terrorists

On December 4th, the Cameroon National Assembly voted to entrust President Biya overwhelming powers to declare martial law against any perceived enemies – be they he’s or that of the state of Cameroon. The bill, enacted under the guise of deterring acts of terrorism has, however, not been received kindly by a majority of Cameroonians.

“This abusive bill is more than enough to trigger a mass demonstration.” A concerned Cameroonian wrote on Facebook.

Yet another one wrote, “Why should we choose to take ten steps backwards in an attempt to take one step forward? We simply remind the world that ours is a different world.”

They are all correct and they speak the minds of many Cameroonians. The bill was supposedly passed to avert acts of terror, but it has in its very quintessence, the capability of inciting public unrest and terror, something a good law shouldn’t be doing. It is in this regard that we at the Cameroon Journal label CPDM party MPs who voted overwhelmingly to pass the bill as terrorists, because going by articles in the bill any accessory after the fact of terror are supposed to be terrorists – that’s who they are.

The definition of terrorism doesn’t only encompass those who carry out active acts of terror, it includes also, those who facilitate it and in this case CPDM MPs must be seen as having done just that. Those MPs are accomplices and accessories to potential acts of terror in Cameroon. That’s exactly what their insensitive action means.

As Cameroonians go about making their dislike of the law known, Issa Tchiroma came out on Monday to confirm their fears. He said the law was passed after the American Patriots Act – a law passed in the USA after the 911 terrorist attacks to track down potential terrorists and their accomplices. The Patriots Act, many have argued and rightly so, that it violated the civil liberties of Americans. Americans, as a result of the law, have their phone calls monitored by the FBI, they have their internet activity monitored, they also have churches and Mosques under surveillance. All social networks of Americans are under monitor by the Federal Gov’t.

Americans protested but gave up with the understanding that in America everyone has a fair hearing under the law and cannot just be framed up under some trumped up charges. But this is exactly what Cameroon lacks.

Cameroon doesn’t have a justice system that is free and fair to its own citizens. The courts are tele-guided from above. In Cameroon – following the French system, you are always held guilty once arrested ever before being charged. There exist no sound investigative mechanisms to prove the innocence of victims so that a mere accusation of involvement in anything with semblance of terror can land a citizen in jail for the rest of his life.

These are just few of the reasons why putting this law/bill in place is such a bad idea. And the people who passed it should by no means think it may never affect them. Kondengue is a living example – the Marafas, the Inonis, Mohammeds, Fotsos, Fonjidhams etc, etc. They gave millions to the party – CPDM, wrote motions of support when Biya arrested their peers, wrote motions of support at every illegality of President Biya, and now look at what is happening to them.

Imagine Marafa now complaining of the conditions in Kondeque prison. He was once Minister of Territorial Administer and maintenance of the country’s prisons fell under his jurisdiction but he didn’t care about it – he thought, well, – ‘it’s for them, not for me.’ But right now he’s in there. Talking about nemesis! CPDM MPs who voted for this law should know that same law will tomorrow be used to hunt them.

And by the way, how can Tchiroma even think of comparing this law to the American and possibly Nigerian laws on Terror? America, besides the fairness of its justice system had evidence that citizens were joining and aiding terrorists. In Nigeria, the gov’t saw acts of terror in the Niger Delta and up North with Boko Haram. Can the gov’t of Cameroon present a single citizen that has been linked with terrorism? This is the more reason why a majority of Cameroonians see this bill not only as uncalled for but as a witch hunt and a taking of the country backward.

President Biya has been striving of late to leave behind a better Cameroon before he dies (soon). We at the Cameroon Journal think the President will be doing service to his legacy should he consider returning the bill to Parliament and instead, asking for a well-articulated bill with clearer definitions as to who it targets. A good bill should target real terrorists not conscientious citizens.