The Anti-Terrorism Bill

Until recently, terrorism in Cameroon has not been really serious to warrant much attention from either Government or political leaders.

Terrorism was an issue for Europe, East Asia, East Africa particularly Kenya and Somalia and the United States of America with the sad events of 9/11.

Thus, Cameroon, like many African countries, failed to react with more interest to the warnings contained in the 1999 OAU Convention. Even when Boko Haram began operations in Nigeria five years ago, Cameroon still thought its territory will not be affected. It adopted a look-warm position, apparently satisfied to remain a terre d'asile for refugees from three neighbouring countries: Chad, Central Africa and Nigeria.

People are always carried away by the general view that among political refugees, there are many who respect the condition that political asylum excludes political activism, let alone political violence. Nevertheless, a handful of political refugees abuse the hospitality of the host State.

With the use of modern information technology, these dissidents serve as a vital source of information to the home based terrorist group. There are, therefore, instances of imported terrorism which involves the settlement of scores on the territory of the host country with devastating consequences on the later. In such circumstances, the local security forces cannot do much.

This is the prevailing situation in the Far North Region of Cameroon. Boko Haram has raided the area on many occasions killing and looting from innocent Cameroonians, in the search for enemies. Cameroonians have, consequently, been forced to become refugees in their own country.

Foreign nationals working as missionaries or experts assisting in our development effort have been taken as hostages. Cameroonians in the area have not been spared. Many have also been taken as hostages for political gains which we ignore. This tactic alone can cause a severe disruption to the normal flow of national relations as the political order is directly threatened.

Hostages are certainly scared, psychologically disoriented and in shock, all exacerbated by the presence of violence including rape and the possibility of death at any time. No one will like to go through this ordeal. After their release, they certainly try to cope with the stress of the sad experience.

As if this was not enough, the mass media has made the public to understand that Cameroonian terrorist sympathisers have been found and some training ground discovered. Many other such training grounds may exist underground. The gravity of the situation is certain and established. In this regard, it is safe to think that public opinion is becoming quite restive and Government needs to take appropriate tough measures.

The Anti-Terrorism Bill recently presented by Government for adoption by the National Assembly is a good clinched fist to give terrorism a knock out.

Unfortunately, some political pundits contest some articles claiming that the entire bill appears to have been prepared in a state of panic and thus without proper reflection. Presenting the SDF position to the Assembly, the Parliamentary Group Leader, Honourable Joseph Banadzem said, "This law, which seeks to suppress acts committed by terrorist movements or organisations and their members, accomplices and accessories, lacks definition and makes every citizen a potential terrorist.

Either in its lack of reflection or its ill-intended move, the Government has rather geared its objective to: muzzle the press, open up avenues to curb opposition activities and give a blanket cheque to administrative and judicial authorities" (The Guardian Post no.0688 of December 8, 2014, p.8).

Unfortunately, the SDF Parliamentary Group failed to table an amendment. A well worded amendment of the undesirable section of the bill would have made the point comprehensible not only to Parliamentarians and Government, but also to the public. For instance, Christians would prefer a life sentence instead of a death penalty. Such an amendment would have therefore generated cause-consciousness among Cameroonians. With popular support so aroused, Government will be obliged to respond. This would also have stepped up SDF morale.

Failure to do this, the party is caught in the trap of exaggerations, distortions and falsehood, which can arouse feelings of hatred or intolerance. At this crucial moment, it is necessary to cut down on actions which can be misinterpreted to be hostile or negative.

The bill is evidence of Government's obligation to protect life and limp for all Cameroonian citizens, including all foreigners living in the country. Failure to present this bill at this particular moment would have, at the very best, led to national and international condemnation of Government. To think that the bill is a version of Pierre Messmer's pacification policy applied to the Sanaga Maritime Division in the search for Um Nyobe, is a gross misinterpretation, let alone an exaggeration.

As already indicated, Government must prevent indiscriminate acts of violence against all those within its territory. The bill could not, therefore, have been limited to the Far Northern Region. It must cover the entire Cameroonian territory. For now, Boko Haram's activities are centered in that area, but it is possible they attack other regions in the days or years ahead.

In Nigeria, Boko Haram has the Northern States as a focal point, but it is well known that Abuja was attacked three times in 2014. Other towns in the south were also bombed. Churches and mosques were not spared. Worshipers exercising human rights, that is, the freedom of worship, have been wantonly butchered.

These examples serve as vital information on which the bill could have been prepared. Of course, Government has other sources of reliable information and does not need to wait to see Bamenda, Ngaoundere or Douala bombed before taking preventive action.

Political and Trade Union leaders should, from hence, seriously consider adopting strategies which involve the politics of non -violence. Political leaders with secessionist inclinations (if there any in Cameroon) are reminded that on 17 December 1979, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Convention Against the Taking of Hostages.

Also good to remember and know in this 21st century are the lessons from Quebec and Scotland. Go to the polls and decide the future of your region by a democratic procedure, popular will, not through the barrel of the gun.

After all wrangling, the bill to be passed into law soon focuses on eliminating terrorism in the national territory. It does not abrogate any article of the law on Human Rights. The death sentence that has been suspended since 1997 could remain as such in spite of the gravity of the situation. But Government may need to put in place other tough measures to accompany the law.

There already exists a Delegation for Public Security. This service requires heavy reinforcement of police dealing with public security and cooperation with police forces of other countries. The recent announcement by the Delegate General of massive recruitment into the Police Force is timely.

The service should also, as a matter of absolute necessity, establish a centralised anti-terrorist data bank. As the situation unfolds, the law on the sale and possession of certain weapons may be revisited. The public should equally be informed of the suppliers of arms used by the terrorists and through diplomatic channels proper solutions could be found. Finally, within Government, a Council of Terrorism should be established to keep watch brief on the situation.