At start of June session of Parliament: Cavaye condemns kidnap, torture by Amba fighters, demands release of hostages.

The National Assembly speaker frowned and condemned these acts as he chaired the opening plenary sitting of the second ordinary session of the National Assembly for the 2023 legislative year.

The opening plenary was attended by members of government led by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute and a host of other personalities. 

In his keynote speech, the Speaker condemned the recent unfortunate incidents in the North West region, notably the kidnap by separatist fighters of some elderly women in Babanki, Mezam Division and six other supporters of the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement, CPDM party in Momo Division. 

“On behalf of members of the National Assembly, I wish to strongly condemn, from the people's rostrum, such a reprehensible act,” Hon Cavaye said, adding that “six other compatriots, including officials of Cameroon People's Democratic Movement and of different public services, were also abducted from Momo Division by the same armed groups on 21 May 2023”.

It is said the close to 50 elderly women in Babanki, were abducted by separatist fighters for their refusal to pay what the abductors described as “taxes”.

Abducted on May 20, the women were severely tortured before being released days after by the separatist fighters. 

Expressing the National Assembly’s disapproval of the move by armed groups to collect local taxes, the Speaker said that “the collection of taxes by such groups tends to portray Cameroon as a State within a State. That's not true!”

He also called on the armed groups to immediately and unconditionally release those still in their captivity them. 

He exhorted government to do all within its power to suppress such imposed taxes, identify the culprits, arrest and have them severely punished as specified by law.

Commend nationwide celebration of National Day

According to the House Speaker, the atrocities of the separatist did not, however, taint the festivities of the National Day on May 20, celebrated in pomp across the country. 

“I am pleased to note the resounding success of National Day festivities, especially as they were a perfect demonstration of the firm determination of Cameroonians to live in harmony and pursue common ideals such as peace, national integration and development efforts incarnated by His Excellency Paul Biya, President of the Republic,” Hon Cavaye sounded. 

Warns of looming diseases

According to Hon Cavaye, while the risk of being afflicted by COVID-19 still looms, the propagation of marburg virus disease, monkey pox and HIV/AIDS is growing in the communities. 

He recounted that five out of the ten regions in the country are currently affected by the cholera epidemic. 

“As the cholera epidemic continues to spread, the Centre Region is, unfortunately, most affected by it as, at least, 500 cholera cases were, until 15 May 2023, recorded every week. In just the city of Yaounde, the seat of institutions of Cameroon, 50 cases of cholera are recorded on a daily basis,” the House speaker warned.

He, however, commended government’s response strategy which has made it possible to administer treatment to cholera patients, educate the general public and increase surveillance in affected regions.

Government, he further said, “also needs to rigorously pursue its bid to prevent diseases by embarking on routine vaccination a campaigns, formulating and implementing a good communication strategy through which all segments of the population are sensitised, educated and given appropriate information. Efforts to provide potable water to the populace equally need to be stepped up”.

Hon Cavaye also announced that the National Assembly will play host to the 18^th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth Africa Region from July 13 to 22.