Crackdown on Southern Cameroons Activists in Buea - A Reverend Father's Eyewitness Account

By Fr. Fomanka

This morning as I traveled to Douala, I bashed into a manifestation at Mile 17. As the transport vehicle I was in made its way into the park, I saw a dozen or more of old men aged 65 and more seated on the cold tar amidst a crowd of onlookers. They were being ordered about by the Mobile Intervention Battalion (BIR) of Buea. I thought it was an interesting scene to film. I began taking some snap shots with my cell phone. All of a sudden I heard three of the BIR calling out and approaching our bus. "You there… bring that camera and come down from that car." I obeyed and followed them. The younger ones sounding more severe and ordering me to sit down on bare floor. I simply told him I will not sit down until he identifies me and know how to handle persons in such situations. Seeing that I was adamant, they withdrew to discuss amongst themselves.

 At that moment another photographing journalist Paddy Siani formerly with CRTV was brutally brought to the scene and forced onto the ground. His overcoat used to cover his mouth so that he would not shout. They did a quick search of this helpless and sympathetic journalist. Took out his digital camera from his pocket and left him sitting humiliated on the cold floor. The crowd looked on with curiosity.

After about 45 minutes I was called aside and questioned. My card was indicating that I was resident in Akwaya, that was the residence at the time it was issued. They asked if I was working for the Akwaya politician. I told them I was a priest and neutral, that I was not taking part even in the Southern Cameroons manifestation, but as a citizen I thought it was an interesting scene to film for my personal use. They were anxious to know where I come from. "Are you a Bamenda man?" I told them I was from Mbetta-Mbo. "Where is that?" they asked: "Southwest or Northwest?" I asked them what help my answer would be to them? They told me they were acting on instruction. At that point they withdrew again complaining I was still talking to them without fear.

This gave me time to begin discussing with Paddy Siani and the other who were sitting on the floor, all old men. At that time, a young man was arbitrary arrested and told to sit down with the old men. It was not clear what he did. But he was neither holding a phone nor a camera. He must have uttered some words that displeased these men of the cloth.
Meantime, an official in a brand new Prado came around. I could hear them say they have found a priest as well. The `big man' in suit gave some instructions. Then I was called again after another 15 minutes and told to identify my phone. My documents were handed back to me and I was asked to open the pictures and delete them. Then I was released. As I stood by to see what was going to happen next, there came a big truck. All the old men, including Patrick Siani and the young man arbitrarily arrested were forced into it amidst tight security.

Then I learnt Hon. Ayah Paul got to know of my arrest and alerted the Bishop's house. May God bless him for his concern.

What I think about the entire incident is that Cameroonian officials act according to their whims, at times over-zealously, before waiting for instructions from the right quarters. Furthermore, the general impression about people is that the elections this time around make no sense, because there is no visible competition.

One can easily see that there is a great fear in the air. It is not clear what the authorities fear. But there is plenty of fear. May the Lord give us a clearer picture of what we even want.

Comments

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After about 45 minutes I was called aside and questioned. My card was indicating that I was resident in Akwaya, that was the residence at the time it was issued. They asked if I was working for the Akwaya politician. I told them I was a priest and neutral, that I was not taking part even in the Southern Cameroons manifestation, but as a citizen I thought it was an interesting scene to film for my personal use. They were anxious to know where I come from. "Are you a Bamenda man?" I told them I was from Mbetta-Mbo. "Where is that?" they asked: "Southwest or Northwest?" I asked them what help my answer would be to them? They told me they were acting on instruction. At that point they withdrew again complaining I was still talking to them without fear.

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