Cameroon Bar Association: Stakes Build up to July 14 Election

Nchendzengang Tatah

There is growing euphoria in the Cameroon Bar Association ahead of elections on July 14, 2025, in the nation’s capital, Yaounde. Amongst candidates who have made known their intentions is the current Bar President, Mbah Eric Mbah Esq, who is seeking a second mandate; the last he can get according to the rules of the Bar.

Batonnier Mbah Eric Mbah leads a team tagged “Ubuntu” of himself and like-minded lawyers vying for positions. The team “Ubuntu” carried out a campaign in Buea on July 3. It brought together lawyers from across the South West to listen to their action plan. Batonnier Mbah Eric said the last two years of his stewardship were marked by achievements.

“There is a lot we have done in terms of amendments of the Bar laws, the Bar head officer, and legal training, which we intend to continue amongst others,” he stated. In the second mandate, he explained that he had presented an insurance scheme to work on, to enhance the relationship with the Chancellery and diplomatic partners. Furthermore, they intend to accompany trainees who passed the Bar Examination in 2016.

The Bar head office

The major feature of Batonnier Mbah Eric’s second mandate, he said, was going to be the realisation of a head office worth over 6 billion in Yaounde. The ten-floor structure with 4 underground floors is to consume a total of 1300 m².

“It’s a project that is futuristic; it honours us,” Batonnier Mbah Eric sustained. He noted that the crux was to obtain approval of the Bar Council, which he had done for the project.

The Bar Elections

The Elective General Assembly of the Cameroon Bar Association is expected to be held this July 14 in Yaounde. Its two priorities will be the election of the General Assembly Executives and Members of the Bar Council. At least 52 candidates have shown interest in the 15 Bar Council positions. With an electorate of over six thousand lawyers. A term lasts two years, which is only renewable once. The last such elections took place in Yaounde in 2022.

Batonnier decorated

In a wave of welcome to the land of the tallest point in West and Central Africa, Batonnier Mbah Eric was adorned in the Bakweri costume (sanja) by the chiefs of Buea. He was given the name “Ikombe”,; a tree in Bakweri cosmology which is known for its far-reaching shade. Batonnier Mbah Eric was expected by the chiefs to shelter and protect his peers, especially the sons and daughters of Buea, who were going to be part of the government of the Bar. The college of Chiefs at the event was headed by the President of the Buea Chiefs Conference, Chief Mokwa Philip Ikome.