Renowned human rights lawyer and President of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy for Africa (CHRDA), Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla, has issued a forceful statement following elections into the Regional Houses in Cameroon’s South West and North West Regions. The member of the Bar Counsel, urged the newly elected leaders to move beyond symbolism and deliver tangible results to long-suffering populations.
Speaking shortly after the proclamation of the results, the refined and renowned human rights advocate and long-time voice on governance and accountability, described the elections as a defining moment for the regions, stressing that the responsibility for development now rests squarely on the shoulders of the elected leadership.
“The first mandate was a novelty, an internship, if you will,” he said. “That grace period is over. You now possess experience, authority, and institutional knowledge. There will be no excuses this time.”
From Ceremony to Service
Agbor Balla was particularly critical of what he described as missed opportunities during the first mandate of the South West Regional House. According to him, regional institutions were created to be engines of change, not ceremonial platforms.
“You were elected to be agents of change and development, not ceremonial actors,” he noted, emphasizing that citizens across both regions are watching closely and expecting decisive action against poverty, underdevelopment, and despair.
He highlighted unemployment especially among young people and women, as an urgent priority, calling for deliberate and structured empowerment strategies that lead to independence rather than dependency.
“The youth need jobs, not promises. Women need empowerment that translates into livelihoods,” Agbor Balla said. “Job creation must be your top priority.”
Warning Against Partisan Politics
In a pointed admonition, the CHRDA president urged regional leaders to rise above party loyalty and patronage, warning against the politicization of public institutions.
“The Regional House is not a party office,” he said. “Development must not be reserved for party militants, friends, or members. Govern with inclusion.”
He also dismissed what he termed the “era of complaints,” insisting that routine blame-shifting to the central government in Yaoundé is no longer acceptable.
“You sought this mandate. You were given it. You will be held accountable. The buck stops with you,” he declared.
Role of the Houses of Chiefs
Turning to the newly elected Houses of Chiefs in both regions, Agbor Balla underscored their apolitical nature and moral responsibility. He called on traditional rulers to serve as custodians of culture and unity, standing above partisan interests.
“The House of Chiefs must be for everyone without discrimination, exclusion, or political alignment,” he said, describing it as a moral and cultural compass for the communities it represents.
A Legacy Moment
Barrister Agbor Balla reminded the regional leaders that the existence of the Regional Houses is rooted in hard-fought struggles and painful sacrifices, including the loss of lives amid the ongoing crisis in the two English-speaking regions.
“These sacrifices must not be reduced to symbolism or forgotten ceremonies,” he said. “They demand results.”
Framing the moment as historic, he challenged the new leadership to choose service over posturing.
“This is your moment to leave footprints in the sands of time,” Agbor Balla concluded. “A moment to stand with your people. A moment to serve, and to be on the right side of history.”
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