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| PAN-Africa Human Rights Conference |
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Cameroon ALERT: Two musicians arrested for criticing constitutional amendments |
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April 23, 2008
Two renowned musicians, Lapiro de Mbanga and Joe La Conscience have been arrested and detained by the authorities in Cameroon for singing songs in which they criticized the recent controversial constitutional amendments, which allows the President unlimited terms of office.
The two were arrested respectively on April 9 and March 20, 2008.
Mbanga, a known member of the opposition party Social Democratic Front (SDF), was summoned and subsequently arrested by the gendarmerie of Mbanga City. According to sources in Cameroon he was accused of instigating the mass demonstrations against high cost of living which took place at the end of February.
The sources report that Mbanga’s arrest was linked to a song he wrote entitled “Constipated Constitution” which warns President Paul Biya of the dangers the amendments could create.
Joe La Conscience, who also wrote a song condemning the amendments of the Constitution, was convicted to six months imprisonment for an alleged illegal demonstration.
When prevented to carry through a march he had planned against the amendments, Conscience arranged a sit-in at the US Embassy in Yaoundé. This was deemed unlawful by the Cameroon authorities who subsequently arrested Conscience.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill was adopted by the National Assembly in Cameroon on April 10, 2008. The amendment allows an unlimited number of presidential mandates, which according to critics empowers President Paul Biya to continue to rule for life.
The amendments also grant immunity to the President for any acts committed by him during his time in office. The Network of African Freedom of Expression Organizations (NAFEO) is deeply concerned about the repression of artistic expression in particular and free expression generally in Cameroon. We urge the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Lapiro de Mbanga and Joe La Conscience.
We encourage supporters of free expression to send letters of protest and demands of the release of the two musicians to the nearest Cameroonian embassy.
Embassy of Cameroon in USA:
Fax (202)387-3826
E-mail:
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Embassy of Cameroon in France:
Fax : +33 1 46 51 24 52
Embassy of Cameroon in Belgium:
Fax: +32 (0) 2 345 18 70
E-mail:
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Prof. Kwame Karikari
Executive Director
MFWA
Tel: 233 21 242470
Fax: 233 21 221084
Email :
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Website : www.mediafound.org
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August 23, 2010
DR.
AFARI- GYAN CALLS FOR PREMIUM ON TRANSPARENCY AND PROFESSIONALISM IN
ELECTIONS IN AFRICA - A COMMUNIQUE
RELEASED IN ACCRA BY AFRICA MEDIA AND DEMOCRACY - AMDMC 2010
Dr. Afari- Gyan, chairman of Ghana Electoral
Commission, has stated that the field of election administration in Africa is
littered with challenges, from both within and without, and called on electoral
commissions to continue the search for greater transparency, accountability,
and verifiability in the conduct of elections; so as to enable them more easily
ascertain the authenticity of the outputs of the electoral system in the face
of any disputes. He however added that that in itself would not be enough for
purposes of achieving free and fair elections, but “it must be complimented with
democratic electoral behavior on the part of stakeholders.”
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THE AFRICA MEDIA & DEMOCRACY CONFERENCE
The AMDMC a non-governmental
organization in Ghana announces it’s maiden conference; The Africa Media &
Democracy Conference is scheduled to take place in Accra Ghana from 18th -20th
August 2010. The organization’s objectives are:
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