Cameroon: Why is government cracking down critics of the regime?

Cameroonians have generally enjoyed superlative freedom of expression since 1990 following the re-introduction of democracy and the enactment of new liberty laws. Before then, the one-party regime in place was uncomfortable with all forms of anti-government bashing.

By Yemti Harry Ndienla

However, the tides are changing. The government is increasingly cracking down on outspoken civil society activists, journalists and musicians especially since the dawn of 2008 was marked by constitutional reform and hunger-related unrests last February.
Many songs like Longue Longue’s 50 Ans Au Pouvoir [50 Years in Power] has been outlawed on the state broadcaster, CRTV. Released last year, the record generally condemns African leaders unwilling to relinquish power despite serving for decades and plunging their countries into extreme poverty.
Other musicians have suffered even greater oppression. Joe La Conscience, a dreadlocked reggae artiste, was jailed for six months last March for staging a hunger strike in front of the American embassy in Yaounde and singing against the reform of the constitution.
He has since been released, but not before the country’s parliament adopted the revised constitution in April. The amendment removes term limits, enabling 26-year-serving President Paul Biya to seek re-election in 2011.
Plans to amend the constitution and widespread complaints over soaring living costs provoked unrests in Cameroon in February. Government said 40 protesters were killed, but human rights watchdogs put the figure at more than 100.

Thousands of protesters, including minors, were arrested and thrown in prison after the unrests. Even some journalists were equally arrested while covering the event for news publication. In a bid to silence them they were accused by government of orchestrating the revolt that saw calls for President Paul Biya to step down. The president later granted clemency following intense pressure from rights advocates.
While some of the government’s critics made their way out of the country after detention for fear of their lives others remained in prison despite the presidential grace among who is Lapiro de Mbanga, one of Cameroon’s best-known musicians. The award-winning singer, opposition SDF party scribe and a local chieftain was accused of organising the riots in his native Town of Mbanga.
But his fans said the authorities were after him for releasing a song titled Constitution Constipée [Constipated Constitution]. The singer questioned why the government was only keen on changing the part on presidential term limits and warned that the revision could translate into civil strife. The song was an instant smash hit.
But its author was last September, 24^th sentenced to three years in mandatory prison for participating in the February riots that led to looting and the destruction of public and private property. He will also pay 280 million FCFA in damages.

In the streets of Cameroon, many say the case was politically motivated.
They say the February unrests only showcased general dissatisfaction by Cameroonians with their government and see no reason why the 51-year-old Lambo Sanjo Pierre – Roger, a.k.a Lapiro de Mbanga, should be singled out for heavy punishment. Alongside some international rights activists, they are calling on the authorities to release the musician.
“Lapiro is a symbol. I don’t want to hear tomorrow that this guy is finished in prison. That would be a disgrace to Cameroonians. He is lonely today meanwhile yesterday he was fighting for the people. Because of the politics of today, some musicians cannot come out as they were coming out because everybody’s afraid. Lapiro has not done anything bad”, cried a Lapiro fan.

Though his lawyers have appealed the verdict many think it is much ado for nothing most especially as the state prosecutor at the same Nkongsamba High Court recently filed an appeal requesting severe sanctions for Laprio.

This is the same prosecutor, who was acting on behalf of the state and the Societé des Plantations de Mbanga which accused Lapiro of commandeering the wrecking by riotous youth of their plantations and other installations. He had demanded a 20-year jail term and a fine of 1.8 billion FCFA during Lapiro’s trial. But judges ruled otherwise.
However, others believe Lapiro is paying a price.