SDF MP makes SCNC case on CRTV; chides Biya’s unwillingness to dialogue

Simon Forbi Nchinda, SDF Member of Parliament from Mezam, has joined voices with the Southern Cameroons National Council, SCNC, to mount pressure on President Biya to initiate dialogue with the Anglophone movement.

Speaking on CRTV's weekend 20 minutes program, "Parliamentary Echoes" presented by George Arrey, Forbi expressed disappointment with Biya for proving tough and for manifesting open disregard of the law following his reticence to call up the SCNC for dialogue as recommended by the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, ACHPR.

The ACHPR, also called the African Court, it should be recalled had few years ago not only recognised the SCNC as a legitimate political group in Cameroon, but also ordered the State of Cameroon to dialogue with the former as a means of seeking solution to their grievances.

Forbi who based his argument on the aforementioned ruling chastised Biya for his continuous nonchalance towards the Commission's recommendation, suggesting that as Head of State, Biya should have been the one to lead by example in demonstrating respect and obedience to legal institutions.

Even though the SDF Member of Parliament carefully avoided calling the SCNC by name, he criticized the president for undermining the rule of law. "We all know that there is a recommendation by the African Commission in Banjul for President Biya to dialogue with the Anglophone extraction of this country. Why has he not initiate that dialogue up till date?" Forbi questioned.

Forbi also spoke at length on the recent increase in fuel prices and the resultant increase in taxi fare. While subscribing to the lifting of the fuel subsidy, the Mezam MP said the timing and the manner in which it was done is catastrophic most especially to the common man.

He said while salaries of state workers have been increased to meet up with fuel price hike, the common man remains the main victim given that the increase in transport fare would be felt most by him as the prices of basic commodities are likely to also increase.