Yaounde: National Assembly grants Biya regime sweeping new powers to jail soldiers ⁰

Francophone members of parliament at the National Assembly on Wednesday the 28th of June 2017 adopted a bill on the code of military justice in Cameroon clearing the way for the Biya regime to jail the 30 soldiers who recently staged a demonstration over unpaid bonuses in the Far North.

CRTV reported that debates on the bill lasted only 5 hours and centered on the recent protest, the rights of detainees and atrocities caused by military officers. A segment of the CPDM bill also highlighted the arbitrary arrest of people linked to the upheavals rocking Southern Cameroons.

The bill including that which punishes offences against Civil Aviation safety were defended by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency of the Republic in charge Defense Joseph Beti Assomo, and the Minister of State, Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso.

The only finger raised against the bill came from the SDF- Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Joseph Mbah Ndam who observed that section 14 of the intentional covenant for political and civil right- a UN instrument, prescribes that civilians should not be tried in the military tribunal. However, Joseph Beti Assomo pointed out that justice, equity and disciplines are the army’s priorities.

The defense minister made a surprise announcement that the regime is on deck to increase performance and targets the recruitment of 5000 soldiers and 2500 Gendarme officers in the coming days.

By Sama Ernest with files from CRTV