Two months after his death, lawyer and activist Yondo Black Mandengue was laid to rest on December 13 in Douala. Family members, fellow lawyers, political figures, and long-time companions gathered in Cameroon’s economic capital to pay tribute to a man whose name became synonymous with the defense of civil liberties.

Beyond mourning, the funeral took on the tone of a civic reminder. Speakers repeatedly stressed that justice has meaning only if it protects citizens rather than constrains them, a principle that guided Yondo Black Mandengue’s life and career.

A legal voice with political weight

Among those paying tribute was Pierre Ngahane, deputy director general of the Mission Libération de la France at France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces. He described Yondo Black Mandengue as “an exceptional lawyer, a conscience of Cameroon, and a tireless defender of freedoms and human dignity,” praising a career pursued “without yielding, without bending, and without betraying his convictions.”

While eulogies often simplify, speakers said Yondo Black Mandengue’s path remained clear and consistent: an unwavering commitment to human dignity and the rule of law. Several called on future generations to carry forward that legacy in the pursuit of a more just and peaceful Cameroon.

A national figure beyond the courtroom

At the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Douala, during the requiem Mass, opposition figure Maurice Kamto framed the tribute in national terms. He said Cameroon would need “men like Yondo Black Mandengue to build or rebuild the bridges missing between Cameroonians.”

Kamto described him as a passionate defender of free and constructive speech and a figure driven by a deep sense of humanism, arguing that his commitment went beyond professional duty. For Yondo Black Mandengue, the law was not an end in itself, but a tool in the service of freedom.

From France back to Cameroon

Born to a civil servant, Yondo Black Mandengue set his sights on becoming a lawyer early in life, motivated by a desire to defend others and uphold just causes. While studying law in France, he combined academic training with activism, holding leadership roles in student associations in Caen and within African student movements.

After qualifying, he practiced at the Caen bar before returning to Cameroon in 1971. At the time, the country had no national bar association. He joined fellow lawyers in advocating for its creation, which became a reality in 1972.

At the heart of sensitive cases

A decade later, he emerged as a central figure in Cameroon’s legal profession. From 1982 to 1986, he served as president of the Cameroon Bar Association. His tenure was defined by a firm defense of judicial independence and individual and collective freedoms.

One episode in particular shaped his legacy. During this period, he defended individuals accused of involvement in the failed April 6, 1984 coup attempt. Many of those defendants avoided the death penalty, including prominent political figures such as Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Garga Haman Adji.

Arrest, resilience, and late recognition

In February 1990, Yondo Black Mandengue was arrested for taking part in demonstrations calling for democracy and the return to multiparty politics, at a time when the ruling party and the state were closely intertwined. Released the same year, he continued to campaign, with consistency and integrity, for democracy, justice, and human dignity.

Institutional recognition came later. In 2024, the Cameroon Bar Association awarded him the title of the country’s first honorary lawyer, an exceptional distinction acknowledging both his career and his commitment.

On December 13 in Douala, it was not only a man who was buried. It was a vision of justice—understood not as an instrument of power, but as a shield for citizens—that was recalled and entrusted to those who remain.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Cameroon is facing renewed political uncertainty weeks after its presidential election, amid reports of mass arrests, deaths linked to protests and mounting concerns over the use of military courts.

Rights groups and local observers say more than a thousand people have been detained following post-election demonstrations across the country. Several fatalities have been reported, while dozens of those arrested have been brought before military tribunals, a move that has drawn criticism from civil society and legal experts.

The unrest comes as attention turns once again to the long-running Anglophone crisis. Ambazonian separatist leader Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe and nine other activists, who have been serving life sentences since 2019, are expected to appear before the Supreme Court on 18 December. Their case has reignited debate over due process, human rights and the handling of political dissent in Cameroon.

The men were convicted on charges including terrorism and secession after being arrested abroad and extradited to Cameroon, a process that has itself been widely contested. Their supporters argue that the sentences reflect a broader pattern of repression rather than a genuine effort to resolve the conflict in the country’s English-speaking regions.

Yaoundé-based political analyst Paul Anchang said the timing of the Supreme Court hearing, set against the backdrop of post-election unrest, highlights the depth of Cameroon’s political challenges.

“This is not simply a question of election-related violence,” Anchang said. “It points to a deeper crisis of governance, where political disagreements are increasingly addressed through arrests and military justice instead of dialogue.”

He warned that continued reliance on security measures risks further destabilising the country.

“Without a serious commitment to political engagement, both on electoral issues and the Anglophone question, tensions are likely to persist,” he added. “Cameroon needs inclusive solutions if it is to move away from this cycle of crisis.”

Source: ChannelAfrica

Eight people were killed and several others injured after a fuel tanker exploded early Friday in Cameroon’s Southwest Region, authorities said.

The tanker, which had departed the seaside resort town of Limbe and was en route to the commercial hub of Douala, overturned and burst into flames before exploding on a highway in the town of Tiko.

“We heard a loud noise and saw huge flames. It was so frightening. We don’t even know how many people have been consumed by the fire,” said James Njie, a witness said.

Viang Mekala, senior divisional officer for Fako, where Tiko subdivision is located, said the death toll, initially reported as four, hit eight after more bodies were recovered from the debris during rescue operations.

“About 10 houses and some vehicles that were driving behind the truck were torched. Three people were injured and have been transported to the hospital,” Mekala told reporters after visiting the scene.

He said traffic had resumed along the highway after firefighters, working with local residents, cleared the debris.

Source: Xinhuanet