Barrister Agbor Balla: Political Positioning and a Visionary Leader for Cameroon?
7 min read
Barrister Agbor Nkongho, also known as Barrister Agbor Balla, is a prominent Cameroonian human rights defender and activist. He was largely known and gained recognition for his leadership during the Anglophone uprising in 2016. His unwavering commitment to the protection of human rights and the rule of law in Cameroon and beyond has earned him multiple awards at the national and international scene. His continued charismatic and vocal advocacy for the promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law has made him a significant figure in Cameroon’s socio-political life. From his contributions to the advancement of human rights to his imprisonment and release and recent focus on youth involvement in political transformation is a call for curious Cameroonians to start thinking about his political positioning and attachment, His political vision and leadership for youths and him as a potential political leader.
The Anglophone uprising in 2016 was a crucial moment in Cameroon’s history and most especially when it comes to inhabitants of the Northwest and Southwest Regions or the Southern Cameroons. Sparked by grievances over the marginalization of the English-speaking regions of North-West and South-West Cameroon, Barrister Agbor Balla emerged as a key leader during this period, advocating for the rights of Anglophone Cameroonians and calling for the protection of the common law system and the English language in schools and courts under the umbrella of the Anglophone Civil Society Consortium. It was as a result of his stance during the uprising that he became popular and well known in Cameroon.
His leadership was instrumental in organizing peaceful protests, civil disobedience including the traditional Monday Ghost Towns and mobilizing support from various sectors, including lawyers and teachers. Among other leaders, the Anglophone Consortium efforts were aimed at addressing the systemic discrimination faced by Anglophone Cameroonians and ensuring that Anglophones can fully participate in the country’s governance especially when it comes to political life, judicial system, education and sociocultural life in general. On February 22, 2017, Barrister Agbor Nkongho was arrested along with other leaders of the Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC) and charged with treason, terrorism, and other serious offenses sanctioned by the 2014 Anti Terrorism Law. The diplomatic missions and international community, including organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the United Nations etc. called for his immediate and unconditional release. After months of sustained pressure from the national and international community, His Excellency President Paul Biya ordered for the release of Agbor Nkongho and other detained leaders on August 30, 2017.
Recently, Barrister Agbor Nkongho, who is well known as a human rights defender and advocate for the promotion and protection of the rights of Anglophone Cameroonians has shifted his focus towards advocating for youth involvement in Cameroon’s political transformation. His tailored style of writing and arts suggest a shift in his well-known career path, which was more focused on human rights, including but not limited to the human rights monitoring, documentation, reporting and advocacy to political positioning and agenda setting, which is unknown to curious Cameroonians at the moment. His well-designed portraits with unlikeness to humanitarian suits or picture expression on his Official Facebook Page should pick an interest in what he might be constructing in his mind and what he intend to expressed to his over 70,000 Facebook followers.
In most of his social media outings, he believes that the active participation of youths in politics is crucial for Cameroon’s future. Also, recently, he has been vocal about the need for political leadership that reflects the aspirations of the citizen most especially youths. In what seems to be in line with the promotion of impartial but partial political participation, he has continued to call for internal reforms and accountability and even to the extent of calling for leadership replacement. Equally, he has showed concern on issues relating to the promotion of democratic practices by expressing that there is need for power-sharing among various arms of the government. His vision for Cameroon includes a leadership that is accountable, transparent, and committed to upholding the rights of all citizens.
Below are some of his social media outings.
“We strive for a Cameroon where all its citizens can live in dignity, where justice is accessible to all, and where unity is not just a dream but a daily reality. A Cameroon where the youths are empowered, where women lead, where the diaspora is engaged, and where the economy serves the people, not the few.” On His Facebook Page on 5 February 2025
“We believe in the empowerment of every Cameroonian. We believe that the youths are the future, and that future is one where they can build careers, create businesses, and lead with vision. We understand that our country’s greatest potential lies in its people, and we are committed to investing in their development, their education, and their prosperity.” On his Facebook Page on 6 February 2025
“We are focused on democracy—a democracy that is inclusive, participatory, and transparent. We believe that democracy is more than just an electoral process; it is about ensuring that the voice of every citizen matters, that every citizen has the right to a fair and just society. It is about creating opportunities for all, regardless of background, tribe, or economic status. Together, we can build a future where democracy thrives and where justice and opportunity are available to every single Cameroonian.” On His Facebook Page on 7 February 2025
“I urge Cameroonian Youths to see themselves as the architects of a peaceful and secure future. Whether through dialogue that bridges divides, through active participation in community projects, or by leading innovative initiatives that drive our economy forward, each of you is a critical agent of change. It is through this maturity and sense of responsibility that we can solidify the pillars of peace and security that our society so desperately needs. In a world where conflicts and uncertainties can too easily take root, your role in consolidating peace is more crucial than ever. Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, dialogue, and mutual respect. I call upon you to lead by example—engaging in open conversation, resolving disputes through understanding, and nurturing an environment where every voice is heard. When you choose the path of peace, you not only transform your own lives but also inspire those around you to do the same” On his Facebook Page on February 2025
Our youths are the backbone of our society. They are the innovators, the entrepreneurs, the dreamers, and the changemakers. Yet, too often, they face barriers—limited job opportunities, a struggling economy, and a system that does not always hear their voices. But let me tell you this: change is not a gift, it is a responsibility. And that responsibility is yours to embrace! We believe in empowering young people, not just with words, but with real opportunities. Our country can only progress when its youth are given the tools to succeed. And success is not just about personal achievement; it is about lifting each other up. It is about unity, empowerment, and transformation—the core of what we stand for.
The few messages above highlight a potential change in his career path, which has always been promoting impartial democracy to partial or partisan political leader. From the personal point of view, his social media outing highlights that he will be standing as an independent candidate or forming his political party in the near future; the problem is now how long. His leadership background in the promotion and protection of human rights and political awareness seems interesting in Cameroonian political life. Barrister Agbor Nkongho is seen by many as a suitable candidate to lead Cameroon in the future, though the future could be tomorrow. His leadership during the Anglophone uprising in 2016, his political stand, his resilience in the promotion and protection of human rights make him a great political candidate for the future.
The question remains, is Barrister Agbor Nkongho’s ability to inspire and mobilize youths, positions him as a potential leader who can bring about meaningful change in Cameroon’s political system? what is your take?
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.
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.
