I am deeply concerned and outraged by the recent events involving Mr. Tamfu, a respected Advocate of the Cameroon Bar Association residing in Douala. While courageously defending his client against an illegal arrest, Barrister Tamfu was brutally assaulted by gendarmes. The brazen and arrogant manner in which these officers attacked him, undeterred by the presence of cameras, is alarming and unacceptable.
Lawyers serve as the voice of the voiceless and are the last bastion for the protection of citizens’ rights. If a Barrister can be publicly brutalized, it raises grave concerns about the direction in which our society is headed. When those entrusted with upholding the law become perpetrators of violence, it undermines the very foundation of justice and erodes public trust.
Mr. Tamfu is currently hospitalized at the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, recovering from the injuries sustained during this appalling incident. I call for immediate and decisive action against the gendarmes involved. It is imperative to hold them accountable, not only to seek justice for Barrister Tamfu but also to restore faith in our legal system.
Our country is at a critical juncture, and we must reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law. Swift and transparent measures must be taken to address this incident and prevent future occurrences. I urge the relevant authorities to act promptly to ensure that justice is served and to rebuild trust within our community.
For all the outflow of indignation and condemnation in the aftermath of the public torture of Barrister Tamfu Richard, nothing will follow in terms of the intensity and frequency of torture dished out by the regime. Le chien abois, la caravane passe. This is another episode in a 42-year-old series of constant brutality archetypical of a despotic regime. We all know the drill. We’ve seen it over and over for 42 years
- the guy running the gendarmerie will come out with a statement promising swift action. Like the defence minister came out with his in the aftermath of the Longue Longue torture episode. Memos and directives will be written and published. The public will be fooled again and before they wake up more horrendous cases of torture will follow. Cameroonians must understand that the fundamental pillar of this regime is repression, torture, and the absolute Mockery of the rule of law. This is not a government of the people, for the people, and by the people. The brutal regime in yde is the pure incarnation of violence. Cameroonians are still to realize that they are hostages, and have been hostages for 42 years. The monarch does not require their authority to reign. A commission of inquiry will be set up. Then after that … Silence. The regime encourages torture and the abuse of the rule of law by its very own nature. The repressive forces have the blessings and implicit authority to torture. Historical icons have been tortured in this country. (Samuel Eboa). The very nature of the regime, their desire to reign ad vitam external, has in itself legitimized torture. It is institutionalized. Check what is taught in Emia and Enam. “Commandement, commandement, and only commandement”. Modern governance does not rely exclusively on repression. It is a cocktail of constant political, social, and economic dialogue with the people and private institutions
- This is a regime that has comfortably killed bishops, killed reverend sisters, killed journalists, tortured and imprisoned its icons and political opponents. Then when faced with the UN committee against torture, will tell lies unblinkingly in the international public square. Not Richard’s case will compel the tiger to shed its spots. It’s part of its DNA
- Statement on the Assault and Arrest of Barrister Tamfu
