Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Joseph Essama
Published on 2024-04-01 16:23:33
In a statement published today in the columns of the newspaper Le Jour, the former Minister of Health, Olanguena Awono, imprisoned for 16 years at the Kondengui prison, gives a rather alarming diagnosis of the socio-political situation in Cameroon. He believes that reconciliation, appeasement, and social cohesion are needed in Cameroon today to preserve the country’s future. Urbain Olanguena Awono, who describes himself as a “victim of judicial assassination,” does not hesitate to mention some surrealistic events that marked his trial. MMF delivers his entire statement in full.
Exactly 16 years ago today, I was arrested, humiliated, and thrown into prison, and I am now starting the 17th year of my arbitrary detention in Cameroon.
My dear country, which I served with unquestionable dedication and integrity, with tangible and measurable results in the exercise of my various functions. Here is a man crushed, a destiny broken, and irreversible damage suffered. However, factually and rigorously speaking, no evidence, absolutely nothing, has been presented against me, according to the requirements of the law, of embezzlement of public funds or personal enrichment.
The justice system had to invent the absurd notion of “embezzlement by assimilation” to achieve its ends.
In truth, I did not embezzle a single penny from the State of Cameroon. Yet, under the influence of underground forces and through a farce and parody of justice, I was unjustly sentenced to very heavy prison terms based on unfounded, deceitful, and cynically piecemeal accusations.
Either 10 years or 20 years of criminal detention without committing any crime. The judicial harassment continues, over 16 years later, with a third surreal trial initiated by others stemming from the same case, after 12 years of an overdue, squandered investigation conducted in blatant violation of the current criminal procedure laws.
This “judicial assassination” orchestrated against me, like many others affecting dignitaries and high-ranking officials of the country simply suspected of having coveted the heights of power, is contrary to the rule of law and does not honor either justice or the Republic.
But beyond selfish interests and indifferent, destructive cynicism at work among leaders, and the immense apathy of Cameroonian society despite the enormous waste observed, wouldn’t it be in everyone’s interest today to awaken and move towards the path of reconciliation, appeasement, and social cohesion to preserve the future of Cameroon?
It is evident that, in an unprecedented context of paroxysmal uncertainty, any informed citizen understands the importance of this question and certainly apprehends it with seriousness. In this sense, it seems prudent, responsible, urgent, and wise, to save the Republic, to initiate a process of de-escalation guided by the light of forgiveness, in order to open new horizons for the dangerously fragmented Cameroonian nation.
In any case, and far beyond the will of men, there is the will of GOD, the Great Master of All. Through this spiritual transcendence, it must be understood that time and history constantly structure the mystique of life and, with it, truth always triumphs. In this projection, the dream ideal of a society of trust and justice for a Cameroon of hope is not a utopia. For in the lives of men and nations, there is no darkness without hope for light.
Urbain OLANGUENA AWONO
Former Minister of Health
Political Prisoner
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
