We Have Remained Sheep For Too Long, I Shall Face Biya- Akere Muna

Barrister Akere Muna has said he is not by any means afraid of confronting the Biya’s regime in the face of present sufferings and blatant violation of human rights against Anglophone Cameroonians.

Muna was reacting to a bailiff’s summons dropped in his office at the Muna Foundation, Monday March 20, instructing him to report to the Defence Secretariat in Yaoundé for questioning.

Muna who in a statement to his well wishers acknowledged receipt of the summons, said he received it while about leaving for South Africa. 

We Have Remained Sheep For Too Long, I Shall Face Biya- Akere Muna

He states that he will immediately report to the Secretariat with the summons once he’s back from South Africa before adding that, “Cameroon is my home and I am prepared to face whatever awaits me.” Below is the full text of Muna’s consolation statement to his sympathizers.

I have been flooded by calls and messages from many Cameroonians who seemed worried for my safety. I hereby state the facts, as I know them, to avoid any unfounded rumors.

On Monday 20th March 2017 at around 15.00 hrs. a bailiff dropped at the Muna Foundation, a letter addressed to the President of the Bar Council, Batonnier Jackson Ngnie Kamga. He was told that he should take the letter to him, he refused and walked away.

My staff brought the letter to me, which stated that investigations had commenced against me at the central investigation unit of the “Secretariat a la Defence,” ordinarily known as SED. In the letter, Batonnier was asked to accompany at 9.00 to the Central Investigation department on Wednesday, March 2017.

SED is where the Anglophone lawyers and Anglophone activists have been taken to. I immediately wrote to the Secretary of State informing him that I was delivering a keynote address in Johannesburg on Wednesday, March 22nd, and that I will be back on Thursday and will ask the Batonnier to accompany me on Friday March 25th.

Today March 21st, I boarded a Rwandair Flight 10.05 from Douala and left for Johannesburg. I will defer to the summons and be present on Friday. I understand the worry of many well-wishers who are asking me to stay away. Cameroon is my home and I am prepared to face whatever awaits me.

Any lawyer who is worth anything cannot sit by in the face of suffering and blatant violation of the basic and fundamental rights of any other human being. By remaining sheep for too long, I am afraid we have turned some people in our government into emboldened wolves. 

The comfort of my home and my office cannot justify my silence in the face of what we are going through in our country right now. Come what may.

By Martin Ndeh
Culled from Cameroon Journal