Cameroon's Lone Voice Against Presidential Term Limits Dies
Ayah Paul Abine: Cameroon's courageous parliamentarian who refused to vote for the constitutional amendment that would remove term limits for the
President of the Republic.
Ayah Paul Abine, Cameroon's courageous parliamentarian who dared to challenge the status quo, has passed away. The renowned magistrate, politician, and advocate for justice passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at the Buea Regional Hospital in Buea, the capital of the South West Region of Cameroon.
A Legacy of Fighting Against Corruption and Abuse of Power
Ayah Paul Abine's legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to fighting against corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations. As a member of the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement ,CPDM, Abine's bravery was evident in 2008 when he refused to vote for the constitutional amendment that would remove term limits for the President of the Republic. This bold move earned him recognition as Cameroon's lone parliamentarian from the CPDM who stood up against the Biya regime's attempts to consolidate power.
A Champion of Human Rights and Democracy
Ayah Paul Abine's commitment to justice and democracy extended beyond his work as a parliamentarian. He founded the human rights NGO Justice4all and was a vocal supporter of the Southern Cameroonian rights movement. His arrest in 2017, alongside other Anglophone leaders, sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many regarding his detention as a clear example of the government's attempts to silence dissenting voices.
Early life ,Education and Career
Born in 1950, Ayah graduated from the Cameroon National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM) in Yaoundé in 1976. He went on to become the vice-president of the Court of Appeal in Buea, South West Region, until becoming a member of the National Assembly of Cameroon in 2002. In 2011, the secondclass traditional ruler of Akwaya resigned from the CPDM and created the People's Action Party (PAP). For his new party, he
contested for the presidency and came fifth in the general classification.
Ayah Paul Abine quits the stage at the age of 74.
By Henry Tataw Ekambi