Respected human rights lawyer and civil society leader Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla has appealed for justice, inclusion, and honest national reflection. This appeal was tailored in the form of a warning tabled on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Cameroon's National Day. He insisted that unity cannot survive without fairness and trust.
In a statement titled “The Cameroon We Want: Reflections on National Unity and May 20,” the founder and president of Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa urged both leaders and citizens to rethink the meaning of patriotism and nation-building at a time of deep political and social tensions.
Cameroon is observing this year’s National Day under the theme "National unity: the pillar of our defense and the foundation of Cameroon’s development.”
According to Barrister Agbor Balla, the message carries significant importance for a country still grappling with insecurity, mistrust, and divisions, particularly in the English-speaking North West and South West regions.
Writing from Buea in the South West Region, the senior lawyer argued that national unity should not be reduced to official ceremonies, speeches, or slogans. “True unity is built through fairness, inclusion, justice, dialogue, accountability, and respect for the dignity of all citizens,” he wrote.
His remarks followed a symbolic “Mass for the Nation” held in Yaoundé, where government officials gathered to pray for peace and unity in Cameroon. While acknowledging the value of prayer and spiritual reflection, he stressed that prayer alone would not resolve the country’s longstanding political and social grievances. “Can prayers alone build the Cameroon we need if leaders and citizens continue repeating the same mistakes that have undermined genuine unity, justice, equality, and mutual respect?” he asked.
The prominent rights advocate said many citizens, especially those in the Anglophone regions, continue to feel marginalized, politically excluded, and economically neglected. Ignoring such concerns, he warned, risks deepening frustration and weakening confidence in national institutions.
He further argued that patriotism should not mean remaining silent about national problems. “True patriotism means loving one’s country enough to speak honestly about its challenges while remaining committed to building solutions,” he stated.
Agbor Balla also highlighted the ongoing conflict in the Northwest and Southwest regions as one of the greatest threats to national cohesion. The crisis, now entering another year, has left thousands dead and forced many families from their homes.
He said no meaningful discussion about national unity could ignore the suffering and trauma experienced by affected communities. The lawyer called for genuine dialogue, institutional reforms, justice, and reconciliation, insisting that sustainable peace would require political courage and honesty from all sides.
In his vision of “the Cameroon we want,” Agbor Balla described a country where citizens are treated equally regardless of language, culture, political opinion, or region; where state institutions serve the public fairly; and where young people can succeed without corruption or political connections.
He also appealed to Cameroonians to reject tribalism, hatred, intolerance, and violence while embracing diversity as a source of national strength.
Despite the critical tone of his reflections, the message ultimately carried a note of cautious optimism. “Cameroon still has an opportunity to become the nation its people dream of,” he concluded. “But the time for honest reflection and meaningful action is now.”
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