Observation of the Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy

In a reaction paper CHRAPA, the Bamenda-based Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy notes that “the docile attitude of the Mezam administration contributed greatly to the death of the ousted fon and related human rights violation." CHRAPA explains that from the time the people of Kedjom-Keku started complaining about the inhuman treatment meted on them by their traditional ruler, to the time the women held the palace under siege, the administration did nothing. A few meetings were called and resolutions taken.

The resolutions never left the drawers of the Senior Divisional Officer. Furthermore when Vuga Simon was dethroned the administration never intervened. Instead on December 29th, 2005 the administration attempted to re-instate the ousted fon but met strong resistance Again, the administration had promised the fon protection. But he was killed in the presence of the Divisional Officer and four gendarme officers. Reinforcement came 30 minutes too late when the killers were already digging a small grave for Vugah.

CHRAPA observes that the North West Fon’s Union has not helped matters. It was only until the colleague of the fons was assassinated that they held an extraordinary executive meeting to denounce the act. The fons should have engaged in traditional diplomacy to solve the problem. None of the fons has offered to help the children of their late colleague. The fons seem to be more interested in things that will reinforce their grip of their subjects.

CHRHPA observes that the killing of the fon is an act of grave torture, which is in violation of article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which sates that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” That he was beaten and dragged on tar for a distance of 6 kilometers and finally burnt to death can best be described as barbaric act of torture, which is in, violation of article 21 of the Convention against Torture.  It is also observed that this act is classified as capital murder, punishable by art 175 or 276 of the Cameroon Penal Code.

Finally, CHRAPA also notes that, from the numerous complaints forwarded to the Divisional Officer (DO) of Tubah and Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) Mezam, and that no concrete action followed, means that the people of Kedjom Keku were pushed to the wall.

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