Mfoundi SDO to deport troublemakers from Division
The Senior Divisional Officer of Mfoundi in the Centre region, Djitdent Emmanuel Meriel, warned that his office would deport troublemakers for an undetermined period.
Those who will in any way or another, call on protests against state institutions, use any form of communication to destabilize state institutions or disturb public disorder, will be deported to other areas, he did not mention. But insisted that they would be sent out of the Division that has as headquarters, Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon.
Anti-corruption Lawyer of international statutes, Barrister Akere Muna said this statement from the SDO is ridiculous and tarnishes the reputation of Cameroon, “How can one person claim to wield such power, disregarding the constitution and international agreements, tarnishing our nation’s reputation? Are we regressing to a time when citizens needed a “Laisser Passer” to travel within our own borders?”
“If authentic, this document is deeply concerning for our country. The Prefet claims the authority to determine offenses, judge individuals, and impose bans on them from residing in Yaoundé, the capital city, for an unspecified period.” Akere Muna said.
The SDO’s outing precedes that of his boss, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, who warned that any political party leader who is found wanting will be arrested and dealt with accordingly.
The leader of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation, Cabral Libii, said the SDO’s outing is against the law because there is such law in Cameroon that gives them power to deport Cameroonians, “Neither the law of 1990 relating to the maintenance of law and order, nor the decree of 2008 fixing the attributions of the heads of administrative districts, which we publish herewith, give the Prefect the power to temporarily ban a citizen from residing in a department of Cameroon. This power does not exist even in a state of emergency. “
“This is therefore a serious breach of the Cameroon Constitution, which in its preamble enshrines for every citizen the freedom to come and go and the right to enjoy a normal family life.
It is also a serious breach of Cameroon’s international commitments to freedom of expression and opinion. Furthermore, the Penal Code already includes insulting certain public authorities.” he added
