Marafa Hamidou Yaya, former Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, former Minister, Minister of State for Territorial Administration and Decentralization was slammed a 25 years prison terms on September 22, 2012 by the Mfoundi High Court. Marafa and his co-accused were equally asked to pay damages in varying amounts to the state of Cameroon . Marafa’s condemnation according to his supporters was an unfortunate denouement to a drama that witnessed its first act on April 16, 2012 when Marafa Hamidou Yaya was arrested alongside Ephraim Inoni, former PM and dumped at the Kondengui Central Prison. Marafa and Inoni’s arrest caused a lot of ink to flow, though they were not the first high brow personalities to be arrested on charges of embezzlement on the ongoing operation Sparrow Hawk. The debates heightened because of the way Marafa and Inoni were picked because contrary to most of those who were arrested after preliminary investigations, Marafa and Inoni were arrested on their first appearance in front of the investigating magistrate.
But while Inoni spent time in Kondengui contemplating on what he could have done wrong to be arrested, Marafa Hamidou Yaya immediately transformed himself into a prolific letter writer. His letters became legendary as he decided to put all state secrets at the market place of ideas. News organs fought each other to have the exclusive rights to publish Marafa’s letters as they pricked the consciences of Cameroonians who wanted to know how their country was governed and also those who loved sensational news. The public too became very expectative of the Marafa’s letters, as the letters delved into what was hitherto considered as no go zone in Cameroon . Marafa’s letters equally exposed some serving cabinet ministers and the entire government was panic stricken as none knew what would be the content of Marafa’s next letter. This was more so as Marafa in his letters abundantly demonstrated that he and Paul Biya were the duo that actually ruled Cameroon . Things even came to a head when Marafa Hamidou Yaya refused to collaborate with the judiciary.
To preempt further letters and further embarrassment from Marafa’s media outings, he was transferred from the Kondengui Central prison to SED where he was under lock and key. And the regime authorities prided themselves for taking the right decision to transfer Marafa to SED as his open letters stopped. Cameroonians were eager for more letters leading to a situation where a smart Cameroonian faked a letter purportedly written by Marafa. Even the fake Marafa letter still received public attention as the previous genuine ones. However, that was not the end of Marafa’s popularity as he had to appear in court. His first appearance in court was spectacular as Cameroonians trooped to the streets and court to cheer him, calling on the authorities to release their president. This forced security forces to adopt a strategy of bringing Marafa to court. He was often literarily smuggled into court during the hearing amidst tight security.
Marafa defied all odds and presented one of his letters in court in which he publicly asked the magistrate to judge and condemn him for obeying the instructions of the Head of State. That drew a lot of sympathy for him. However he was speedily judged and condemned to 25 years jail term with fines and damages. Many are those who thought that the 25 years prison term was going to break Marafa and force him to resign to his fate. But at the look of things, Marafa’s imprisonment seems to have instead emboldened him as he has started another series of open letters. The Marafa’s 5th letter has come to put to question the fake Marafa’s letter as it is consistent with the previous letters.
Satanic Elements Of Marafa’s 5th Letter
Marafa Hamidou Yaya in his 5th letter after his condemnation clearly indicates that he still has much in store for Cameroonians. Instead of speaking like a dejected prisoner, he addresses Cameroonians as their future leader. Marafa begins by thanking Cameroonians for their support during his imprisonment. He said it is the support that he received from the population, despite calumnious campaigns against his person that he has been able to pluck courage to write the open letters that have open up avenues for change and hope in Cameroon . Marafa in humility pleaded with the population to continue supporting him not only because their support would help him to go over his ordeal, but also because with the support they will together change Cameroon .
Marafa in his letter indicated that it is because the population had been supporting him that the Head of State who has never showed any compassion for Cameroonians in distress, and afraid of the consequences of his programmed condemnation hurriedly went to the Northern Regions to comfort the flood victims. Marafa goes forth to indicate that it is because the population supports him that together they will force the present Head of State of Cameroon to engage reforms that this country needs and which he longed promised. Marafa cited a new consensual electoral code and the putting in place of institutions previewed by the constitution such as the Senate and the Constitutional Council which guarantee smooth and peaceful political transitions. And that it is because the people have been supporting him that together they will push the Head of State to really fight corruption and bring true embezzlers to justice, especially as most of the pilfers of state funds are still in government despite the fact that there is abundant evidence about their financial misdeeds.
The incarcerated Marafa Hamidou Yaya in his 5th letter addressed to Cameroonians says the support he wants from Cameroonians is moral and should in no case engender a threat to peace or public disorder. And that emboldened by the support from the population, he will solemnly engage himself in front of the population to continue his fight for Cameroon to become a society of confidence imbued with the virtues of peace, security, justice and shared prosperity that every Cameroonian aspires to.
Marafa in his letter states that his trials had no other agenda than estranging him from public life and to divert the attention of Cameroonians from the failures of the regime. He adds that sooner Cameroonians would witness a flurry of other judiciary buffooneries just to wipe out the Head of State’s responsibility from the political, economic and moral impasse in which Cameroon founds itself today.
To conclude about his fight, Marafa says he is aware that Cameroonians are at cross roads; reason he has addressed his message of hope for the change that is coming. And that he is convinced that from now in prison where he is assigned and from where the population is, they can act in unison to stop the degradation of Cameron. For that to happened, Marafa Hamidou Yaya says it is useless to wait for seven years for Biya’s mandate to elapse. And that for them and all those who are not discouraged, the future is now. He adds that what he is going through today is mere preparation for his engagement and capacity to lead Cameroon to change and hope.
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