CHRDA has condemn the continuous use of hate speech by Moja Moja against the people of the North West Region-Cameroon
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The use of hate language against the people of the North West Region by Chief Ewome John Eko alias Moja Moja, the chief of Bwassa village, a locality in Buea, the South West Region of Cameroon has witness a rise following the death of some chiefs in Bakweri-Southwest Region. The recent killing of Chief Molinga Francis of Liwu la-Malale village in Buea and Ikome Emmanuel Ngalle of Mile 14 Buea by suspected armed separatists is said to have aggravated threats by Moja Moja against the people of the North West Region of Cameroon.
Hate speech incites hatred amongst individuals, communities and states thereby, leading to conflicts. Hate speech has cause wars and has remain the major causes of conflicts in the world.
The rise of the use of hate speech is a call for concern as national and international stakeholders have been taking some measures to limit its effects. Combating hate speech remains one of the global challenge because most at times, authorities in political position propagate the hate speech and nothing is done about that.
The recent xenophobic threat against the people of the North West Region by Moja Moja is a serious one as some youths in Mile 14 of Buea, led by the said chief were seen destroying properties of the people of North West Region. It is worthy to note that chief Ewome John Eko is also a member of the Cameroon defense and security force.
According to the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), “In the month of November 2020, following the attack and killing of Chief Molinga Francis of Liwu la-Malale village in Buea Subdivision by suspected armed separatists, Moja Moja made a 3 minutes 34 seconds video wherein he threatens the people of North West region and their rulers. He vehemently warned them against ever stepping feet within his area of jurisdiction. Moja Moja referred to the North West traditional rulers as those supporting the Separatists Fighters. While recounting the abduction of John Fru Ndi, Cardinal Christian Tumi, and the Fon of Nso who were abducted and subsequently released by separatist fighters in the North West region, Moja Moja said, the fighters do-no-harm to their own people but always go-ahead to kill the chiefs of the South West when abducted. Moja Moja referred to all the Ambazonia fighters as those who originate from the North West region.”
CHRDA also adds in the report publish on their official website that “…on Monday 14 December 2020, Moja Moja was seen in a 3 minutes 57 seconds video circulating on social media, in which he sent a quit-notice message to all North Westerners living in Likoko village. He said all the “graffi” people have just 24 hours, which as at the time of his message, said their time started the previous day”
Read the information below relating the punishment for perpetrators of hate speech according to the Cameroon Penal Code.
While concluding the two page report, CHRDA condemns the act while calling on the authorities to sanction the chief according to the laws punishing hate speech. “CHRDA condemns such acts of hate speech perpetrated by Chief Ewome John Eko. CHRDA notes that these actions violate the civil and political rights of citizens, their rights to freedom of movement, association, and habitation within their country. CHRDA calls on the authorities to scrupulously, implement the laws that govern traditional rulers in Cameroon and to apply all sanctions that follow such actions. Mindful of the fact that Cameroon is making efforts to fight against hate speech, the sanctions put in place by law should as well be fully applied in order to serve justice for those who have been victimized by these actions.”
“The promotion and protection of Human Rights rely on the ability of states to implements laws put in place to deter its violations. Hateful language by a leader like the chief of Bwassa village, chief Ewome John alias Moja Moja against against the people of the North West Region of Cameroon cannot be normalize in the 21st Century. We must condemn such hateful languages against a tribe, political class, states, and or individuals with the aim of inciting violence against them, the perpetrators of such acts must be punish accordingly.” Berinyuy Cajetan Founder of HRLRC
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
