Cameroon: How Paul Biya Treats Unarmed Civilian Protestors

27 July 2011

Juliette Abandokwe

The video below, which was made on February 23rd of this year, shows how Cameroonian police and armed forces behave towards unarmed civilian protestors. 

It particularly indicates with which brutality Paul Biya, who has been the President of Cameroon for 29 years now, is treating those people of his who have been "democratically and freely" electing him for the past 3 decades. 

This years' general election is taking place on the October 9th. 

Paul Biya, having manipulated the Constitution in December 2007, removing the terms' limit, which allows him to present himself for as many terms that he wishes, declared himself the candidate of the ruling RDPC (sarcastically, the Democratic Reassembly of the Cameroonian People) only a couple of weeks ago. 

Widespread repression has been occurring since February, with extensive intimidation methods as well as unarmed civilians being brutalized, imprisoned and tortured, together with systematically molested and house arrested opposition leaders. 

France, the former colonial power and until present neo-colonial power, which has gigantic commercial interests and contracts in the custody of the Cameroonian government, know exactly, together with the European Union and the rest of the international community, what is going on in Cameroon. Several detailed reports have been issued in the last three years on the absolutely appalling human rights situation. 

Systematic manipulation of the independent electoral commission ELECAM has been going for over a year now, with the choice of its members by Mr. Biya being regularly questioned by civil society and opposition leaders. 

If or when Biya wins the next elections, how far will the international community go to validate the result of the election, and how concerned will they feel the gross human rights violations, and remembering that France and its partners condemned and ousted President Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Coast out of power for allegedly having rigged and lost the 2010 autumn general elections after 10 years of power, along alleged crimes against humanity. 

Incidentally, it is also to be remembered that France is responsible for extended massacres in Cameroon during the war of independence, where between 300 000 to 400 000 Cameroonians villagers died in the napalm bombings by the French air force. No official history book mentions these events, but many survivors as well has French pilots present at the time, have officially witnessed. 

To what extent is it a crime against humanity for the international community to accept and to validate, even "only" implicitly, an election which is the absolute result of obvious, widespread and systematic fraud, accompanied by a long and very painful history of extremely gross power abuse and basic human rights' violations? 

Why should Gbagbo be removed for those reasons, and to a lesser extent Kadhafi, while people like Paul Biya, Idriss Deby of Tchad, François Bozizé of Central African Republic, the latter two having proclaimed themselves successor to their previous term after systematic and arrogant fraud at the beginning of this year, ar keft in power? 

These questions are obviously linked to the quality of warranty offered by these "democratically and freely" elected "presidents" on the availability of natural resources' contracts and deals in unclear and corrupt conditions. We should therefore ask ourselves to what extent the power of a brutalized and silenced people can be exercised in these different conditions. Although internal interacting factors should also be considered, ranging from longstanding toxic behaviors induced by will-suppressing colonial rule, as well as widespread greed and lack of national conscience, the weight of external validation and acceptance should be considered as overwhelming. 

This video is to show how Biya is intending to continue ruling over his people
 while he is trying very hard to become his own successor at any cost. 

Thousands Protest Against Senegal President

23 July 2011

VOA

Thousands of Senegalese demonstrators have gathered to protest against President Abdoulaye Wade's bid for a third term. Top opposition leaders, including former Prime Minister Macky Sall, were also on hand Saturday at the demonstration in a public square outside the Dakar city center.

The protest had been originally scheduled downtown, but organizers changed the venue in an attempt to comply with a newly-imposed ban on political rallies outside government buildings and several major squares. Wade's Senegalese Democratic Party has also planned a rally Saturday, outside their headquarters.

The demonstrations come one month after the massive June 23 protests and rioting against chronic power shortages and President Wade's bid to change the constitution. Opponents say the changes were aimed at making it easier for the president to be re-elected and for his son, Karim Wade, to succeed him.

After the massive protests, the 85-year-old leader withdrew the proposed amendments.

But Wade has indicated he still plans to run for re-election, despite a constitutional statute that limits the presidency to two terms. Wade's supporters say he is entitled to run again, because the new constitution was not in effect when he was first elected president in 2000.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

Torture Widespread in Gambia After 17 Years of Jammeh

21 July 2011

Scott Stearns

Gambians on Friday mark 17 years since Yahya. 

Jammeh took power in a military coup. And Amnesty International says Mr. Jammeh's presidency has been marked by enforced disappearances, killings and torture.

Campaigning for reelection this week, President Jammeh told supporters that neither November's vote nor a coup d'etat can remove him from office. Only divine intervention, he said, could end his 17 years as Gambia's leader.

Mr. Jammeh says his fourth term in office is a “foregone conclusion.” Amnesty International Deputy Africa Director Tawanda Hondora says that is because Mr. Jammeh has driven most of his political opponents into exile.

"He has hounded opposition parties from the Gambia. And those that remain in the country face a daily risk of being arrested or being harassed. People are persecuted,” Hondora.

On Friday's anniversary of the coup that brought Mr. Jammeh to power, Amnesty International released a report that says his government “ruthlessly quashes all forms of dissent.”

"Life in the Gambia for people who are perceived to belong to the opposition or journalists who have issued statements that are perceived to be critical of the authorities is quite bad. Most people end up in prison, in Mile Two prison, where they are subjected to torture. A lot of people have to flee the country, and a lot of people are currently living in exile," Hondora said.

President Jammeh has responded to criticism in the past by accusing campaigners for what he calls “so-called human rights” of trying to undermine his government. He has restricted press freedoms, saying Gambia suffers from "too much expression."

Human rights groups have pressed repeatedly for a full investigation into the killing of newspaper editor Deyda Hydara. Amnesty International calls detained journalist Ebirma Manneh a “prisoner of conscience.”

Hondora says those who oppose President Jammeh risk being picked up by security forces and never seen again.

“Some people have ended up disappeared. These are people who are arrested by the security forces and nothing is heard about them. And this extends to journalists, extends to opposition political party supporters or members, and including people in the security forces who are considered to have turned against the regime in Banjul,” Hondora said.

Hondora says the international community must bring pressure to bear on President Jammeh.

"Gambia relies on a lot of aid and does have good bilateral relations with many countries within the EU as well as the United States government. It is imperative that these governments impress upon the authorities in the Gambia to respect the civil and political rights of the citizens,” Hondora said.

Hondora says African leaders must also speak out against human rights abuses in Gambia. President Jammeh angered West African leaders earlier this year by siding with long-time Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbabgo who was forced from office by a wave of popular unrest.

Mr. Jammeh also has had a series of diplomatic incidents with Senegal and Nigeria over Iranian-made weapons impounded in Nigeria that appear to have been headed for Senegalese rebels who are armed through Gambia.

Niger Delta: Four Local Communities stage Peaceful Protest against Shell

8 July 2011
Environmental Rights Action - ERA


Kolo Creek Logistics base, in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa state four communities, Imiringi, Elebele, Otuasega and Oruma communities peacefully protest against Shell lack of respect of agreements.

Four communities where Shell Petroleum Development Company [SPDC] operates in recently issued a 14 days ultimatum to the company, demanding for implementation of agreement reached with the communities in 1999. The communities include: Oruma, Otuasega, Elebele and Imiringi; all Ogbia speaking Ijaw communities in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, few kilometres to President Goodluck Jonathan’s community, Otueke. 

Following the ultimatum to Shell, leaders of the community had appeared before the Joint Military Task Force [JTF] at the expiration of the time with a view to settle the matter amicably. Unfortunately, Shell could not convince the aggrieved communities that are demanding that the company honour the agreement it reached with them in 1999, and they decided to stage a peaceful protest to the heavily guarded Shell facility, the Kolo Creek Logistic Base.ERA’s field monitor witnessed the protest that took place on the 7th of July 2011 and some of the protesters spoke with him.

Testimonies

We are here for a peaceful protest but if the JTF handles this matter in a violent way we shall only retreat and return in full force. Then it will be too bad for Shell because Shell has cheated us for too long. The Kolo Creek communities have been known to be very peaceful but if the soldiers and Shell take undue advantage of our peaceful disposition today to intimidate us, we shall not take it. If we hear any gun shot or if any of our members is injured here today by the soldiers, the rest of the state and the country will hear our action. All we are demanding for is that Shell should respect the agreement it reached long ago with our people; these four communities. They agreed to extend electricity to our communities but they are not doing so; while benefiting heavily from our oil wells. This is not a fresh demand, it is an agreement reached with us that we are trying to enforce.

Amakiri Joseph, Vice-Chairman of the Community Development Committee [CDC] of Oruma

Because of our present mood I do not have much to say. Shell is wicked. They refused to implement agreements that they entered into with our community leaders some years ago. Have we not been patient enough? Can you imagine a situation where Shell prefers giving light to mosquitoes in the bush than human beings; even when the oil and gas they use on the plant that supplies them light is from our soil. All around their facility, even in the bush, they provide light. In some of these facilities you don’t see people, only mosquitoes; yet there is light there. That is why I said Shell gives light to mosquitoes, but not people in the communities where they operate.

Nothingbad Ada, from Otuasega community

I am here today because I support the demands of the four communities. We are not coming to make new demands from Shell, but that they fulfil the agreement they reached with us. We want our communities to be connected to the source of power that supplies them electricity twenty four hours every day. They cannot be taking the crude oil and gas from our environment and enjoy all the benefits and leave us in pristine condition. We know what is happening in other places where such resources are exploited. Apart from the issue of electricity, we are also demanding for good roads linking our communities. Shell should honour the agreement signed with us; that’s all.

Mrs. Beauty James, women leader of Oruma community

I retired from the Nigerian army and I am getting my pension. I just want to tell you that I am fully in support of what is going on here; the peaceful protest. If Shell is treating us well do you think our people will waste their energy on this kind of thing? There would have been no need, I tell you. The company should change its old tactics of dealing with host communities. Respect is indeed reciprocal. The only thing is, the protest should remain peaceful.Loveday Ada, retired soldier from OtuasegaI have been part of meetings held between the JTF, our communities and Shell in recent times. Those meetings were all related to the issues concerning our demand that Shell should implement the agreement it entered into with our people since 1999. Even after the expiration of the 14 days ultimatum we issued Shell, there have been steps to avoid open confrontation. Shell is fully aware of what we are here for; the company is just trying to see what we can do. Yes, we are a very peaceful people but we are also human beings and have that capacity to behave otherwise when situation demands. We are not joking, Shell should honour the 1999 agreement or else the company is free to leave our environment for us. They should give us light, water, roads and also ensure that their operation within this environment is safe for us and every other living thing in the ecosystem.

Pastor Ranami Afagha, Vice-Chairman of Imiringi community

I want to say that I am aware of what the four communities are doing there at Shell office, the Kolo Creek Logistic Base. It is very sad and unfortunate that the company should allow our people’s simple demand to linger and lead to what you have just observed. We have written several letters and held meetings in relation to an agreement Shell signed with us in 1999 in the Presence of Nigeria’s current President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; when he was the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State. Shell agreed then to connect our communities to the plant supplying electricity to their office/facility here in our environment. Actually there was a time they tried to lay the lines and we were all happy. But the company later abandoned the project. Shell felt the communities should rather be connected to the public power supply grid of Power Holding Company of Nigeria [PHCN]. That was not our agreement. We want to enjoy that electricity the company is getting from our oil and gas twenty four hours daily. Apart from that, since Shell constructed a gas pipeline across the Kolo Creek, the creek has not been properly reopened to allow free flow of water. The creek is still partially blocked. ERA visited during the crossing of the gas pipeline and witnessed how it was then. Not much was done by the company after they crossed the pipeline. This is also part of the protest our people have embarked upon today. If you allow me I will continue to give more reasons why these four communities are annoyed with Shell. As community leaders, we have, however, appealed to the protesters not to take to violence but remain peaceful as they go about the protest.

Chief Ranami Joseph, Acting Paramount Ruler of Otuasega Community

Observation and conclusion

ERA’s field monitor was at the scene of the protest early enough to witness the first set of protesters as they arrived in two buses and motor bikes. The two buses were loaded with youths and women. Other buses also brought community people from the four protesting communities. When the first two buses drove towards the Shell facility, they were stopped and sent back by soldiers at the JTF check point mounted there. Although the buses turned back, the protesters came down not far from the soldiers’ position. The soldiers were telling them to leave the environment but they were adamant. At about 6:18 am when more protesters had arrived, they started to move towards the JTF check point. By this time, about 12 JTF personnel had taken position to resist the protesters and prevent them from going beyond that check point. 

This was the situation until about 7:00 a.m when some women carried a casket covered with white cloth and forced their way through the JTF check point. This action of the women received the support of some youths when they saw that the military men were trying to prevent the casket and those carrying it from passing that point. At last, after an initial struggle, the way was open for all to get access to Shell’s gate. The military officers were trying to control the situation from developing into violence, while the protesters were eager to see and hear from Shell. This scenario lingered on, when ERA’s field monitor left the environment at about 7:44 A.M. However, before leaving it was observed that though the soldiers appeared provoked, they behaved relatively well.

ERA demands:

1. Shell should respect and implement the agreements in question

2. Other grievances of the protesters should be urgently looked into with a view to responding to them positively by Shell.

3. The authorities, from local to the Federal Government should wade into this matter and ensure that Shell does the right thing by implementing agreements reached with the communities in which they operate to ease escalation of tensions.

4. The communities should continue to press their demands non-violently. 

5. The military should also remain disciplined and avoid taking negative actions against such peaceful protesters.

After South Sudan Who will become Independent?

12 juillet 2011

Scott A Morgan

July 9th has come and gone on the calendar. The Republic of South Sudan has become the newest independent state in Africa. Although the separation was generally peaceful there are underlying tensions that could quickly lead to Armed Conflict. But now there is a question that needs to be asked: Is Southern Sudan going to be the final state to gain independence?

The Short answer has to be No. There are efforts underway in the “Breakaway” region of Somaliland to be recognized as an Independent State. There have been reports that Kenya has done so and there is a push for Britain to do so as well. Several years ago there was an effort by those seeking this to have the US follow along through an attempt to pass legislation in Congress. Officially the position of the United States is that the Administration will wait until the African Union does this. So this means that there is a remote chance that this will happen.

Another Country that may have such a similar effort occur is Nigeria. We all have heard of the situation in the Niger Delta. It generates income coming into the Country with its oil reserves but there is little investment in the infrastructure in the region. A Militant Group the NDLF (Niger Delta Liberation Force) has urged President Jonathan to convene a SNC (Sovereign National Conference) to see if the Niger Delta can have a peaceful separation from the rest of the Country without bloodshed.

Another Potential Flashpoint has to be the Casamance region in Senegal. This has been the scene of an on-again/off-again insurgency against the Wade Regime. This region which lies along the border with the Gambia has had the rebels being supported by Guinea in the past. As long as there is not any resolution in this situation and is allowed to fester than problems could break out in West Africa yet again.

It would be a sin of omission not to discuss the situation in the Eastern DRC. Although it has not advocated Independence from Kinshasa the Central Government has been unable to effectively administer the region due to poor infrastructure, corruption and outside actors. So the Kivus currently operate with little oversight. It is possible to conceive that Rwanda or even Uganda can attempt to either separate territory in order to annex it outright or to create a situation whereupon they can create an “independent buffer state” to enhance their agenda for the region and to gain access to the copious natural resources in these two provinces.This means that the State Department, the Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency will really have to maintain constant vigilance monitoring these situations so that any information can be presented to the President in a quick and timely manner. This has not always been the case in recent months however. But these situations are just the tip of the iceberg.

The Author Comments on US Policy towards Africa and publishes Confused Eagle on the Internet. It can be found at confusedeagle.livejournal.com