Government Determined to Influence Investigation into University Killings
Ephraim Inoni (Prime Minister)
CCDHR is concerned that the government wants to predetermine the outcome of the investigation into police brutality and the killing of two University of Buea students; two passersby; and the wounding of many others during demonstrations by students against corrupt admissions practices by the Minister of Higher Education in collusion with the University of Buea authorities.

In our call for investigation into the killings, CCDHR requisitioned the government to make sure that the investigation into the university protest and the killings be carried out as independently as possible. However, the press release issued by the Prime Minister’s office is indicative of a clear strategy to preempt the outcome of the eventual investigation. The press release, which was apparently the outcome of a meeting which was attended among others by the Vice-Prime Ministers for Justice, the Minister of Higher Education, the Minister of Communication, the Secretary of State for Defense, and the Delegate General for National Security is predicated on false premises and is a calculated attempt to cover up government’s mishandling of the demonstration and the broader problem of corruption and fraud that continues to perpetrate the Cameroonian society as a whole, and access to professional education in particular.
                                                                        Jacques Fame Ndongo (Minister of Higher Education)
The press release, which states as “fact” its version of events, fails to acknowledge the Ministerial action that prompted the protest in the first place. An interview session scheduled for a list of 127 successful certified examinees signed by Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea for admissions into the School of Medicine was aborted on the orders of the Minister of Higher Education. A new list of 153 candidates signed by the Minister was then imposed on the University for the interview. This Ministerial list was inflated by 26 new names most of whom had not even sat for the entrance exam into the School of Medicine. It is believed that these ghost candidates are well connected to the Minister, his bosses, colleagues, and friends. It is therefore not surprising that the press release was a plot by the Minister, his bosses, colleagues, and friends to conceal their fraudulent endeavors.

The Prime Minister rightly called for calm and a continuation of “the selection process of the pioneer batch of the students to read medicine into the University of Buea, based on the principle of excellence, transparency, objectivity, and equality”. However, the Prime Minister falls short of condemning the fraudulent activities of the Minister of Higher Education or set in place a mechanism whereby the list signed by the Minister would be revisited to ensure that all candidates on that list are successful certified examinees. It is ironical therefore that the Prime Minister further called for “compliance with the process and applicable statutory instruments governing admission into the higher professional schools of State university institution” when his “associates” in Yaounde are the real culprits for bending such rules.

CCDHR is concerned at the Prime Minister’s call for investigation which in itself seems to be an investigation already concluded. The press release states as “fact” that while the student demonstration continued at night “an assorted group of individuals [students] armed with guns and clubs attacked a police station [and] ended in the death of two of the assailants and injuries sustained by the law enforcement officers”. By all accounts, this allegation against students is an astounding falsehood, and at face value, just a calculated scheme to mask government’s mishandling of the university demonstration. CCDHR is accordingly alarmed at the Prime Minister’s call for “appropriate measures against members of the university community implicated in acts of violence and vandalism” without a corresponding call to bring to justice, security officials responsible for the murder of two students, two passersby, and the wounding of many others.

CCDHR is calling on all Cameroonians to recognize the national status of schools including State Universities and Professional Institutions which are open to all Cameroonians regardless of race, origin, status, political opinion, or religious persuasion. CCDHR is also calling on the Cameroon government to promote and enforce anti-corruption measures aimed at guaranteeing admission to schools based on merit rather than status and political affiliations.

CCDHR is therefore calling on the government to take appropriate measures to guarantee to all Cameroonians that admissions to schools will be based on the principle of excellence, transparency, objectivity, and equality in compliance with the process and applicable statutory instruments governing admission into the higher professional schools and State universities. CCDHR again reiterates its call for an independent and fair investigation into the killings during the university demonstrations and that the findings of this investigation be made public.