Anglophone Problem -- Government Celebrates While Anglophone Activists Lament -- As One Of Anglophone's Most Senior Lawyers Betrays Colleagues To Resume Work …Former Bar President Dumps Lawyers’ Strike, Resumes Work (CLICK TO READ MORE)

Many are wondering if this beginning of the end of the Common Law Lawyers Strike? The former Bar Council President Barrister Francis Sama Asanga, has detached himself from the Common Law Lawyers strike and said he has decided to resume court activities.

“I am surprised that some lawyers have been going to court dressed in jeans. My presence at the Bamenda Appeal Court today to attend the swearing in of the fresh advocates into the Cameroon Bar is an indication of my determination and availability to engage in effective and meaningful dialogue in relation to the justice component on the on-going anglophone crisis” Barrister Sama told the Chris Mbunwe of the Post Newspaper.

This might be considered by other lawyers as betrayal perpetrated by a respectable and reputable legal mind with lots of influence. It is worthy to note that, he is one of most prominent and senior Anglophone Lawyers who Anglophone lawyers have always supported without reservations(see this article for details: Despite Differences, NW Lawyers Back Sama For Bar Presidency) . As in the build-up to the election of the Bar Association billed for 31 January 2015 in Yaounde, North West Lawyers have sworn to go into election backing the candidacy of outgoing Bar President, Barrister Sama Francis Asanga, in his bid to seek another two years mandate notwithstanding the different stands of the New Generation Lawyers. He confirmed this with the Eden newspaper saying “that he counts more on the strength of the common law lawyers, stating that of the past 12 Bar Presidents, six have been common law lawyers and five came from the North West.” Although at the end of the elections he accused anglophone lawyers for betrayal as explained in an article published by the Post newspaper titled “BAR COUNCIL ELECTIONS: Sama Bows Out, Accuses Anglophones Of Betrayal” (Click to read said article).

Anglophone Problem -- Government Celebrates While Anglophone Activists Lament

Many observers wonder if his current actions to resume work against public opinion and keeping his colleagues behind is paying back is retailiation?

But it is clear that immediately he resumes work, most of the lawyers working under him must also follow suit in order to keep their jobs and also as one of the most influential legal minds, it will lure lots of other lawyers who look up to him as a mentor to follow his actions. This important question then stands out, is this the beginning of the Common Law Lawyers Strike action?

The Cameroon government must receive this news with great joy as a major break through in resolving the ongoing Anglophone crisis.

It is worthy to note that, the current Common Law Lawyers strike action that aggravated the current anglophone crisis is still strongly supported by a good section of the Common Law Lawyers. They had stood steadfast in order to force government to return to the negotiating table and also show solidarity to some of their colleagues currently incarcerated like Barrister Balla Agbor, Barrister Robert Fon (who was summoned to the Northwest Governor’s office where he was arrested and whisked off to Yaounde) and other lawyers on exile like Barrister Harmony Bobga MBUTON, President of North West Lawyers Association.

Also many think he might be doing this succumbing from Government pressure and current behind the scenes negotiations, government had engaged to lure lawyers resume work. As he said his action “is an indication of my determination and availability to engage in effective and meaningful dialogue in relation to the justice component on the on-going anglophone crisis”. Some observers believe he might have collected a huge package from the government, but these are only opinions without any backing.

We do not know if he will be respecting the ongoing “GHOST TOWNS” that are currently being respected all over Anglophone Cameroon.

It is worthy to note that, he Barrister Sama as a Cameroonian has his full right to respect the ongoing Common Law lawyers’ strike action or not as no lawyers has ever been compelled to respect it.

What is your opinion in relation to his actions to resume work?

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION SHOULD TEACHERS AND LAWYERS RESUME WORK WHILE THE ANGLOPHONE STRUGGLE CONTINUES OR THINGS SHOULD REMAIN THE WAY THEY ARE(YOUR OPINION IS NEEDED?