My fellow Cameroonians and concern citizens of the world
Members of the International Community
The impact of speaking truth to power
THE POST-NON VIOLENT REVOLUTIONARY CRY FOR PEACEFUL CHANGE IN CAMEROON IS ALREADY RESONATING IN CAMEROON AMONG THE OFFICIALS
In a recent communique released by the University of Buea Student Union they asserted as follows;
"In a joint communiqué signed Monday, March 5, 2012, the UB
administration, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Vincent Titanji, the UB Higher Education Teachers’ Trade Union, SYNES, leader, Prof. Michael Yanou and Mr. Hailshamy Ashu, the President of the UB Students’ Union, UBSU, have agreed amongst others that there is need for peace and solidarity in the university community" UBUS
This is what UBSU said;
The Students' Union remain committed to the Anglo-Saxon culture of the
University of Buea but
things must be done in the right sense within the context of the law
and following laid down principles.Our problems had always been for
exams to hold and so we refuse getting caught up in the lecturers
fight.
we want to acknowledge the writer of the article Walter Wilson Nana of the post newspaper for doing a great job giving an objective account of the article concerning the roles of UBSU, SYNES, VC,
Full story found here
www.thepostwebedition.com
This is unprecedented in the history of protracted and violent crack down on both unarmed Cameroonian University Students and civilians by the School officials and the CPDM regime of Mr Paul Biya. There must be a reason for one to celebrate and keep hopes very high in the accend to non-violent peaceful change in Cameroon.
Even before we proceed incessantly, visionary and wisely, it is quintessential that everyone comes to the realization that this kind of very unusual peace accord between Students and officials has come as a result of the role that one has played since 2008 to stop the officials from violent crack down on protestants in Cameroon regardless of institution, organization or religious, political or cultural affiliation.
We, Cameroonians in the Diaspora with a good conscience and humble spirit intentionally endowed by the noble desire to transform and reform Cameroon's dictatorship and corrupt tyranny into a virtuous and free soceity do welcome this peace accord and resolution with plenty of caution.
The UBSU, the University Officials and Mr Paul Biya /CPDM regime must work together in good faith during this period of political and cultural transition to ensure that this matter is resolved once and for all before Mr Paul Biya and his regime leave power.
We will leave no stones unturned in this critical moment in history as we will never fail to pursue the truth, justice and human rights for all Cameroonians.
While we yearn for lasting political change to bring about educational reforms in Cameroon, we must also observe that our labor of love from the Diaspora has pushed the regime and UB officials to start thinking NON-VIOLENCE ! This is goodnews for our movement for NON-VIOLENT PEACEFUL TRANSITION IN CAMEROON.
It is unprecedented and must be celebrated in the interim while paving the way and urging the UB officials to do more because we are watching and following up with the state of human dignity with respect to human and civil rights. We, congratulate the UBSU leadership in particular for standing firm and ignoring past threats, intimidations , harrassement and retaliation from the CPDM regime and UB Officials.
The only reason why Mr Paul Biya, his chancellor and all those CPDM officials fighting to keep the statusquo can't hurt, arbitrarily arrest, torture or either shoot and kill University Students in Cameroon again is because they are living in a POST-DIASPORA REVOLUTIONARY ANTI-VIOLENT CPDM REGIME.
If Cameroon was still the on or before 2008 following previous Students protests and citizen actions against this CPDM regime, they would have ordered the police and military to kill or brutalize students in order to crush their spirit and inject fear into everyone.
Right now Mr Paul Biya and CPDM regime are on life support begging for survival as pressure continues to mount on an illegal and illegitimate President and his regime to quit power and hand over to the transitional government.
We want to reassure all Cameroonians activists, advocates and agents of meaningful change that we , the people have power and believe that the time for change has come. Every personality or authority in Cameroon will have to account for their actions in the past , present and future strictly based on the rule of law and our sovereign constitutions.
They have no choice but to recognize the power of free speech as force to propel transparency and accountability under dark situations of bad governance. In this post-revolutionary era to free Cameroonians from bondage, all hands on deck and we m ust count our blessings and small victories scored as God is leading the way.
I call upon all of you to keep focused and stay in touch as we keep this fight alive.
Thank you all for your love for humanity. Check my blog below for more information with respect to the great need to build a virtuous and free Cameroon society where human and civil rights of all people will be respected and tolerated.
Jonathan Awasom
The voice for Cameroon, Africa and the world in the 21st century
The Rally-cry for freedom, justice, peace ,democracy and prosperity for all
Empowering humanity to build a virtuous and free world for the beloved global village
--- On Sun, 3/11/12, UBSU COUNCIL <ubsu2005@gmail.com> wrote:
From: UBSU COUNCIL <ubsu2005@gmail.com>
Subject: [camnetwork] THE ROLES OF UBSU, VC, SYNES, STUDENTS IN THE RECENT SYNES STRIKE ACTION
To: "addec_6" <addec_6@yahoo.fr>, admin@justice.org.uk, advocy@yahoo.ca, africafund@igc.org, african2000@email.msn.com, africare@africare.org, "agbortabi1951" <agbortabi1951@yahoo.com>, agneseboo@citizensgovernance.org, akidijnr@ymail.com, anajehcam03@yahoo.fr, apic@igc.org, aspromod@yahoo.fr, atangajohn2002@yahoo.com, ateba_fils@yahoo.fr, awanobi@yahoo.com, azopok@yahoo.fr, "benangandr" <benangandr@yahoo.fr>, berlin@hrw.org, bilex@justice.com, blatche@hrw.org, "camerooncalling" <camerooncalling@yahoo.com>, "camnetwork" <camnetwork@yahoogroups.com>, cel.com@minesup.gov.cm, "celcom" <celcom@prc.cm>, cellcom@prc.cm, cellcom@prc.com, chrismbunwe@yahoo.com, clovisechefor@yahoo.com, colettemerline@yahoo.fr, comaiwocan2005@yahoo.fr, crbechon22@gmail.com, ddec_6@yahoo.fr, development@africare.org, "dfavour" <dfavour@gmail.com>, "eboulesandrine" <eboulesandrine@yahoo.fr>, eddynam2000@yahoo.co.uk, "edenmedia" <edenmedia@yahoo.co.uk>, "edennewspaper" <edennewspaper@yahoo.com>, "editor" <editor@standardtribune.com>, elke.wemhoff@giz.de, equalitynownairobi@equalitynow.org, "Eric Roland KONGOU" <ericrolandkongou@yahoo.fr>, euoffice@frontlinedefenders.org, firoze@fahamu.org, "frontdesk" <frontdesk@standardtribune.com>, georgesco24@yahoo.com, ghumanrights@gmail.com, goodwillcam@gmail.com, grapphand@yahoo.fr, "guardianpnp" <guardianpnp@yahoo.co.uk>, "guardianpnp" <guardianpnp@yahoo.com>, "Guilllaume Dinkaa" <g.dinka@yahoo.com>, hawebouba@yahoo.com, "Henry Fossung" <hfossung@yahoo.com>, hilary@fahamu.org, hillary_toh2007@yahoo.com, horizons_femmes@yahoo.fr, hrwnyc@hrw.org, hrwpress@hrw.org, iar@amnesty.org.uk, "info" <info@ccdhr.org>, info@ndhcam.org, info@africaninstitute.org, info@equalitynow.org, "info" <info@thepostwebedition.com>, jeanpauldargal@yahoo.fr, "journalmutations" <journalmutations@yahoo.fr>, jpfopa@yahoo.fr, judy@thesop.org, "kaptos" <kaptos@yahoo.fr>, kellymacelus@yahoo.com, "kingsleyan" <kingsleyan@yahoo.com>, kininso9@yahoo.com, "kwetoh" <kwetoh@yahoo.fr>, "lejourdouala" <lejourdouala@gmail.com>, "lejourquotidien" <lejourquotidien@yahoo.fr>, "lemessager" <lemessager@lemessager.net>, lokowil@yahoo.com, MallorieJ1@cardiff.ac.uk, mbunocent@yahoo.co.uk, mddt2001@yahoo.com, michelebatende@yahoo.fr, mireillenokam@yahoo.fr, morewomeninpolitics@yahoo.fr, mpeterkins@yahoo.com, "Mr.Ayuk Mathias" <ayukm@yahoo.com>, mrr2@brighton.ac.uk, musuinfo@mdx.ac.uk, n_nkepyah@yahoo.com, ndhcam@yahoo.fr, nditanto@yahoo.com, newsroom@thesop.org, ngalimeug@yahoo.com, nickholmes@infolaw.co.uk, nireland@amnesty.org.uk, odettejuimo@yahoo.fr, orockee@yahoo.com, paris@hrw.org, "Pascal Diangha" <yongtohpagal@yahoo.com>, press@amnesty.org.uk, ptezanou@yahoo.fr, racopy05@yahoo.fr, reception@eusa.ed.ac.uk, recodh@recodh.org, recodhcameroun@gamail.com, recodhcameroun@gmail.com, roadcameroun@gmail.com, "Roamaine Efenzeh" <eferomain@yahoo.com>, rolexmbonteh@yahoo.co.uk, scotland@amnesty.org.uk, servicehumanus@yahoo.com, snguiffo@yahoo.fr, snjc.ben@gmail.com, "solomon amabo" <soloamabo@yahoo.co.uk>, solutionscameroun@yahoo.fr, "stanley_emann" <stanley_emann@yahoo.co.uk>, sumelong2000@yahoo.com, supporter.care@savethechildren.org.uk, "synes.ub" <synes.ub@gmail.com>, "Taku A. A. Moses" <gospelcoord@yahoo.com>, "tamangwajr" <tamangwajr@gmail.com>, "Tambang Ernest" <tambangernest@yahoo.com>, "The Quail Newspaper" <thequail@ymail.com>, "theheraldnewspaper" <theheraldnewspaper@yahoo.co.uk>, "thehorizonnewspaper" <thehorizonnewspaper@yahoo.co.uk>, themedianewspaper@yahoo.com, "thepostnp" <thepostnp@yahoo.com>, "thestarheadlines" <thestarheadlines@yahoo.com>, "thesun_np" <thesun_np@yahoo.co.uk>, "thesun_np" <thesun_np@yahoo.com>, "tribune.herald" <tribune.herald@ymail.com>, "tribunebilingue" <tribunebilingue@gmail.com>, "ub_alumni" <ub_alumni@yahoogroups.com>, ubgossip@yahoo.com, ukinfo@equalitynow.org, "vanguardnp" <vanguardnp@yahoo.com>, vforest@frontlinedefenders.org, victorymartins50@gmal.com, vpk.titanji@yahoo.com, waniecharles@yahoo.fr, widevisiondh@yahoo.fr, wildaf@wildaf.org.zw, "wilfredgabsa" <wilfredgabsa@yahoo.com>, wodeg2000@yahoo.fr, "yannickzogo" <yannickzogo@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012, 6:13 AM
The tense atmosphere which has characterised the University of Buea,
UB, community in recent weeks is progressively fading away.
In a joint communiqué signed Monday, March 5, 2012, the UB
administration, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Vincent Titanji, the
UB Higher Education Teachers’ Trade Union, SYNES, leader, Prof.
Michael Yanou and Mr. Hailshamy Ashu, the President of the UB
Students’ Union, UBSU, have agreed amongst others that there is need
for peace and solidarity in the university community.
According to the aforementioned tripartite agreement, the twice
disrupted examination session in the past two weeks, will hold
Thursday, March 8 2012, with the timetable to be re-arranged and the
modified version posted on the UB campus on March 6 2012. “That if any
person is caught attempting to disrupt the exams on March 8 2012, all
necessary legal measures shall be taken against him/her,” the release
stated.
On what motivated SYNES to boycott the start of exams in UB a
fortnight ago, SYNES UB Chair, Prof. Yanou mentioned that they were
asking the government of Cameroon to implement the provisions of the
law, allowing the lecturers in the higher education sector to go on a
sabbatical for a year, with pay, after teaching for six years,
“preferable abroad to do research and become a better lecturer and
researcher,” he noted.
Yanou added that SYNES UB is also asking the government of Cameroon to
ensure that “the Heads of Departments, HODs, Deans, Vice Chancellors
positions be subject to elections. The current designation procedure,
which is done by appointments, is not consistent with the law
governing UB – Law Number 93034 of 1993 categorically states that the
HODs, Deans and Vice Chancellors should be elected,” he said.
Yanou explained the spirit of the law saying; “the law is clear, the
elections of the aforementioned positions are to be done by his/her
peers at the Board levels. After the election process, the name of
elected person is sent via the hierarchy to the Minister to carry out
the appointment by decree. That law is also consistent with the
constitution of 1996, under section 2 paragraph 2, which says
institutions should derive their powers from the base, with election
by the people. We’re not asking for anything new. These two demands
are core features of our Anglo-Saxon values in higher education. They
are consistent with the status of UB, which was specifically created
as an Anglo-Saxon university.”
On the turn of events to ensure a serene atmosphere in UB and pave the
way for exams to go on Yanou said; “I was not part of the negotiation
between UBSU and UB administration, I will not speak for them, but we
had to endorse the outcome of the UBSU and UB administration to avert
a deadlock, since SYNES had also taken a decision to end their own
strike, pending further discussions with the Ministry of Higher
Education.”
On the outcome of the SYNES UB and Ministry of Higher Education
meeting, which took place in Yaounde, Tuesday, March 6 2012, Yanou
said the Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo, Minister of Higher Education is
sensitive to their request and has agreed that UB is specific, their
demand for a sabbatical will be looked into with the modalities to be
defined and the issues of elections into the positions of HODs, Deans
and Vice Chancellors were seriously discussed, with both parties
agreeing that the expected elections will improve good governance in
UB and push forward the drive for decentralisation. “Prof. Fame Ndongo
asked for some time so that hierarchy will study the proposals but the
demands were legal and valid. It was signed by President Biya. We made
him understand that the appointments are still made by the President
of the Republic but the elections come from the base,” he said.
Following the second interruption of exams in UB, Monday, March 5 2012
by Support Staff, who were responding to a decision by the VC, Prof
Titanji, dated February 28 2012, informing them that there will be no
payment for assisting in invigilation, typing of minutes of meetings
and assisting to prepare for scientific, Senate and Council meetings,
the UB Support staff stayed away from the holding of the exams, which
subsequently flopped. With the deadlock, the UB VC reversed his
earlier decision with another one signed, March 5 2012. It reads;
“Sequel to a plea submitted by the Support Staff Union, SYNAPAU, we
write to recall our memo No 2012/0309/UB/VC/DFinA of Feb 28 2012.
Bonuses for extra work will continue to be paid in conformity with the
regulations in force.”
As the stakeholders of UB search for a lasting peace on campus, Thomas
Elive, Staff Delegate for UB Support Staff, enjoined all to work
towards the goal for which UB was created, adding that mutual respect
should reign within the categories of staff that make up the UB
community.
Students Take over Lecturers’ Strike
As developments unfolded in the UB campus on a fast pace, students
took their turn to go on a strike Monday, March 5.
The students were protesting against the fact that the SYNES UB
chapter strike action on March 1 disrupted their exams and that they
should not be the ones to suffer in a fight between SYNES UB and the
Government.
It started when the students of the Faculty of Science stormed
Classroom Block to stop those of the Faculty of Social and Management
Sciences, SMS, from writing. Their point being that their own exams
were interrupted by others on March 1. In the course of stopping the
students who were writing, the campus guards tried to prevent the
Science students from disturbing the SMS students. In the fracas, a
male student sustained a wound on the head and a female student
collapsed.
It took the intervention of the UBSU President, Hailshamy Ashu, and
members of his executive for calm to return on campus.
“We should not fight one another, the problem between the UB
administration and SYNES UB should not concern us. They should let us
write our exams and settle their problem after,” Ashu said.
It was at this juncture that students started looking for SYNES UB
executives. When they could not see any, some of the students
suggested that they should seize lecturers and take them hostage until
SYNES UB comes and negotiate. The students got hold of Dr. Akumbo of
the Linguistics Department and were about to lock him in a room, but
for yet another intervention of the UBSU President, he was released.
The students later on moved to the Central Administration to meet the
VC, Prof. Titanji, in order to seek a solution to the crisis.
After having met and listened to the students, Prof. Titanji on behalf
of the UB administration and the UBSU executives agreed that the exams
should start on Tuesday, March 6 2012. This proposal will be modified
by a request from the students, who said they were psychologically
disturbed, and their friends who were hospitalised could not write on
March 6. The students also mentioned that they needed a letter from
SYNES UB telling them that their (SYNES UB) strike was suspended.
In reaction to the students’ demand, SYNES UB officials later made
public, a communiqué telling them that they have suspended their
strike. It was finally suggested that the exams will commence on
Thursday, March 8.
Since the major strike action that rocked the University of Buea in
2005, the University has become notorious for strike actions. The
various stakeholders; support staff, lecturers and students all take
their turns to go on strike for one reason or the other. However, the
strike contest has been between students and lecturers.
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