Five
months ago, We at the Afrika Youth Movement (AYM) with the aid of our members
on the ground from the English speaking regions of Cameroon, released exclusive
interviews and video to project the strike from the youth voices in
Cameroon, a country that has seen just
one president since 1986.
As a resulted, we have
partnered with other human rights organizations addressing an Open Letter To
Cameroonian Government On Internet Connectivity In Anglophone Regions in English and French.
We also condemned human
rights abuses in Cameroon, our member Molinge Henry spoke out for justice in Cameroon on local
newspapers.
But should we leap for joy?
With
the restoration of the internet by Paul Biya, in these regions after 94 days of
deprivation, euphoria has greeted not only nationals, but also activists and
the diasporas as a revival of the negative impact on the populace which highlighted
the international trending of #BringBackOurInternet. The legendary question
hovers, should we genuinely leap for joy?
Biya has asserted that he
is no different from other African leaders in Gabon, Ethiopia, Chad, Uganda,
the Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo and others who
have used internet restriction to oppress the voices of the marginalized. Their
major vices toward their people have been to eliminate those who stand against
their ways of power clinching despite their unpopularity and their incompetence
toward thought leadership and honest governance. Their strategies to maintain
their grip are no doubt tantamount to the violation of people's rights and
freedom.
Before celebrating the
return of citizens’ deserved internet, let us go back to the core matter; did
they take to the street because of the internet cut? Or was it as a side effect
to the action taken by the marginalized against their marginalization? With
this established, does the internet restoration solve the anglophones’ problem?
In a series of interviews
recently carried out as we commune with young leaders, activists and citizens
in different fields across Cameroon on this issue. Their only excitement that floated stemmed
from the reinstallation of the ‘lazy’ internet as the guarantee to reconnect to
their loved ones has been rekindled.
Our source from Buea, whose identity would not be
disclose for security reasons, says “the biggest sufferer are tech
entrepreneurs whose businesses survive solely on the internet because customers
can only assess them digitally through social medias and websites.” In a global system where economies of countries
are driven by young tech entrepreneurs, and Buea being the tech hub of Cameroon, President
Biya’s clamp down took “a great leap” backward for Cameroon with serious damage
on the economy. The economic losses are estimated at a minimum of $4.5 million
according to Access Now.
This shutdown disrupted access to vital
information, e-financing and emergency services; not minimizing the interrupted
remittances from the diaspora to Cameroon.
In fact, according to the
Brookings Institution, a similar decision in Ethiopia that lasted for just
30days, that is from June to July, cost the country the sum of $8 million.
Before
we leap for joy on Cameroon, we have to ask questions like; what about the
activists held illegally in police custody?
It
should be noted that what gyrated into the internet ban was a result of protest
from teachers and lawyers which degenerated to the students and the man on the
street who all have been complaining against unequal laws and the biased
educational policies and implementation toward the Anglophone sub system. This
led to many youth being assaulted and dozens more arrested. The height of
trying to control the protest from spilling over was internet shutdown. So what
happens to these young activists facing trial for simply exercising their
freedom of expression and association besides schools shutdown and loss of
vital access to education?
Before we leap for joy on
Cameroon, we must ensure it is a safe place for youth advocates, activists,
academics, entrepreneurs and citizens. Thus President Paul Biya has to address
the concerns of Anglophone Cameroon. A referendum should not be a bad idea
except that President Biya knows his support is at an all-time low in Southern
Cameroon and whatever policies he comes up with be countered. So his only way
will be to manipulate results as this is what dictators are known for.
It is becoming a trend
among African leaders to disconnect their people from the world and promote a
façade of the real issues in the country for the benefit of a selected few
whose time has gone.
It
is problematic to see the international community’s reactions to issues of the
Internet shutdown, notably with the statement by the
UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom
of Opinion and Expression and the statement by the UN envoy for Central Africa. Apart from
these statements, there has not been international reaction or action on the core issues and demands of English
Speaking Cameroonians whose rights have been violated.
Human rights approach to
the problem should not lay much weight on Digital Rights and disregard the discriminatory
practices and policies by the Cameroonian government against Anglophone
regions.
In the midst of global challenges, it seems this issue is not
perceived to be a priority.
Therefore, we demand to:
1. The Immediate release of all arrested (who are
mostly Cameroonian youth) by the government
2. A compensation plan for businesses that have
lost huge profits due to the deliberate act of the government in an era where
internet is key to survival for business.
3. The African
Union to act and call on the Cameroon government to stop Human Rights
violations and encourage a National Dialogue
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