THE OCTOBER 12, 2025 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND THE PERSISTENT RISE IN HATE SPPECH:

Cameroon Human Rights Commission,  And Others,  Raise Alarm At The Rise In Hate Speech With Attacks On Some Tribes, Personalities, Etc.  But Why The Persistent Rise In Hate Speech?

  The Renowned Crusader For Peace And Justice, Sir Dr Ntumfor Barrister NiCO HALLE, Wrote A Few Years Back, He Cautioned That: “If We MUST Fight Hate Speech, We MUST Start From What Causes Hate Speech, Otherwise, It Would Be An Effort In Futility”.

 HALLE’S Article Titled, “My LITTLE TAKE ON HATE SPEECH”, In Which He X-rays The Causes Of Hate Speech And Its Ramifications, Is Even More Relevant At This Period In The Country, And  The Mentor News  Has Thus  Published  The Article In Its Entirety (See inside). 

  In a ‘tripartite meeting’ in Yaounde on September 18, 2025 that brought together the Ministry of Communication  (MINCOM), the elections organizing institution in the country known as  Elections Cameroon  (ELECAM),  and media men and women, the Secretary General of MINCOM, Prof  Felix Zogo,  who  sat  in for the MINCOM Boss, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, hammered  two things on the ears of journalists during this crucial election period in the country –  Strive to stick to professional ethics, and  strive to avoid hate speech in all its forms.  Worthy of note, that the Managing Director of ELECAM, Erik Essouse, was personally present at the meeting.  It should be noted that Essouse has a number of times, been a victim of hate speech and threats on social media.

In Buea on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, who held a meeting with local administrative and security authorities of the Southwest Region ahead of the October 12 presidential election, cautioned politicians in particular to be careful with what they say at this sensitive election period, and warmed against hate speech. He said the same thing during an earlier meeting in Bertoua on September 22, and the one that held in Douala on September 24.

  Alarming Increase In Hate Speech

Talking of hate speech, the President of the National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms, Prof James Mouangue Kobila, issued a lengthy press release on Monday, September 22, 2025, on the alarming rise of hate speech in the country, a few weeks to the presidential election. He said the Commission has been observing with a lot of concern,  a persistent rise in hate speech especially on  social media  (Tiktok, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp), with cases of violent  verbal attacks or hate speech being poured against some tribes like Beti, Bamileke and Bassa,  as well as against  some personalities, political parties, regions and groups.  He said the commission has observed cases of hate speech ,where some tribes are considered as inferior to some other tribes,  with  people of ‘inferior tribes’ being called names  as well as  being threatened  by  some fellows  of the ‘superior tribes’ indulged in hate speech.

Besides once more denouncing hate speech in all its forms, The President of the National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms, warned those indulging in hate speech, that it is a crime punishable by the Cameroon Penal Code.

 Everybody Is Condemning

There is no question that the alarming rise in hate speech across the country, has become one of biggest, if not the biggest fear in the country, barely a few weeks to the crucial October 12, 2025 presidential election.  The Government and other State Institutions like the National Communication Council (NCC) headed by Veteran journalist, Joe Chebongkeng Kalabubse, and the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedom, as well as religious and civil society organizations, political parties and so on, have all been expressing concern over the increasing rate of hate speech across the country, especially in this period of election.

Social Media Identified As The Leading’ Market’ In Hate Speech

This concern was for example, reflected in the last popular and weekly panel discussion programmes, that come up over major TV channel s in the country, on Sundays.   Almost all, if not all the major Tv stations, had hate speech as one of the major topics of the panel discussion on Sunday, September 21, 2025, exactly three weeks to the October 12 presidential election. The topic that was discussed in the programme, Press Hour, over CRTV for example, was: “October 12 Poll: How Can Hate Speech Be Controlled?”.

During the programme, an interview that CRTV recorded with the President of the National Communication Council, Joe Chebonkeng Kalabubse, was played.   As regard the media and hate speech,   the NCC Boss stated that hate speech is being spilled both in the main stream media and the traditional media, but was quick to add that the case of the social media is really alarming. He explained that while NCC has been relentlessly working to curb the situation in the main stream media through sensitization and sanctions, it is difficult for the Council to curb what is happening on the social media, because the platforms or social media handles like Tik Tok, Facebook, are abroad.  Chebongkeng and his institution have identified the social media as a principal center of hate speech in the country.  He regretted that today, anybody who has android phone, thinks he has become a journalist, and can write any rubbish and post on social media. The NCC President was also scandalized that according to some reports they receive, hate speech is also been promoted behind the scene by some high profile persons in the society, that are supposed to lead the fight against hate speech.

No Respect For The  Motto Of Fatherland

One of the invitees to the Sunday, September 21, 2025 panel discussion (Press Hour) over CRTV Yaounde, who spoke live from his residence in Douala on the issue of hate speech, was no other person that the renowned Peace Crusader, Sir Dr Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle, who was visibly saddened and disgusted with the alarming rise of hate speech in the country.  Halle regretted that some fellow Cameroonians seem not to care about the motto of the Country, which is Peace, Work, Fatherland, which is a call on all Cameroonians to embrace peace, hard work and patriotism.

, Barrister Kack Kack Fears Hate Speech Might Spark Fire At October 12 Poll

In the programme, Canal Presse over Canal 2 International on that Sunday, September 21,, 2025, members of the panel discussions, reacted to the hate speech that was spilled by a CPDM Senator from the West Region, precisely Upper Nkam Division, Francoise Puene aka Mammy Nyanga, during a CPDM meeting in Bafang to prepare for the official presidential election campaign. In a video that went viral, Madam Puene was heard saying that if the CPDM does not win in the Upper Nkam Division at the October 12 poll, non – indigenes based in the Division will be chased away. It should also be noted that in the Grand North part of the country for example, there have cases of some opposition militants and sympathizers seen in videos spilling hate speech against CPDM militants, and even setting CPDM fabrics or uniforms on fire. So hate speech is coming from both camps – the ruling party and the opposition.

Meanwhile, one of the panelists in the programme over Canal 2 International on September 21, Barrister Simon Kack Kack, a senior member of the UPC Party, expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in hate speech in the country, especially at this period of election, and expressed the fear that hate speech might spark fire in the country at the October 12 presidential election.

Why Is Hate Speech Persistently On The Rise?

In the last couple of years in Cameroon, the Government and some State institutions like the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, have been talking much about the fight against hate speech in the country.  Seminars are being organized here and there on the fight against hate speech, meetings are held here and there on hate speech, but yet the situation is only degenerating further. Government, religious and civil society organizations, as well as others, have all been   condemning hate speech, but the situation is not improving. Rather, the situation is instead worsening.  This brings up the major question as to why hate speech is persistently on the rise in Cameroon.

In the same package with the above question, is also the important question as to what causes hate speech, and how this deviant behaviour can be effectively tackled or curbed. Before even getting to that, there is the question as to what is hate speech in the first place?

    Hate Speech And Its Manifestations  

In the article, “My Little Take On Hate Speech” written by the renowned Crusader for Peace and Justice, Sir Dr Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle, he looks at the meaning of hate speech, and x-rays the causes and ramifications of hate speech.  “Today we are engulfed in hate, greed, fear, graft, embezzlement, bribery and corruption, discrimination, tribalism, favouritism, xenophobia , regionalism, hypocrisy, falsehood, envy, jealousy, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, marginalization, lies, human rights and liberties abuse, election rigging etc, etc ,etc. Are these not the platforms on which hate speech thrives abundantly? The answer of course is a big YES”. This is an excerpt from the very interesting article, “My Little Take On Hate Speech”. On why the persistent rise in hare speech,  the appropriate answer is also found in in the  article, in which Nico Halle minces no words  that: “If We MUST Fight Hate Speech,  We MUST Start From What Causes Hate Speech,  Otherwise,  It Would Be An Effort In Futility”.

BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY, IS THE ARTILCE, “MY LITTLE TAKE ON HATE SPEECH, BY SR DR NTUMFOR BARRISTER NICO HALLE (The  subheads are by The Mentor News).

MY LITTLE TAKE ON HATE SPEECH

By Barrister Nico Halle on 28.04.2021

Hate Speech. What causes it and what are its ramifications?

This little and simple article is definitely a continuation of my almost twenty-eight-year year quest for Justice and Peace for our beloved country where there is everything but Love, Justice and Peace. Too bad indeed!

The article is also triggered by the exponential upsurge in hate speech in Cameroon and beyond. As a Justice and Peace crusader, and as one who has no kind words for embezzlers and predators, it is incumbent upon my humble self to situate the current situation within its proper context, even if I may only be repeating myself over and over again.

What Is Hate Speech?

Yet, what is hate speech? Hate speech though loosely used by so many is described by others as threatening and wanton words, articles that attack particular people or groups especially on the basis of minority, race, sexual orientation, religion, colour, belief, ethnicity, nationality and education. Hate Speech is also any kind of communication in writing, speech, behavior, action, character that hurts or attacks, uses pejorative or selective language that makes reference to a group of people who are deprived or marginalized. The definition might be varied and various, but it stems from one thing- absence of love, Justice, equity leading to ANGER/FRUSTRATION/BITTERNESS resulting in- VIOLENCE, CHAOS, DISOERDER, CONFLICT, ANARCHY ETC ETC.

Truth be told, when God created Cameroon like many other Nations, He provided for His people sufficient resources for their welfare. It is true that Adam and Eve played into the hands of the devil who tricked them into violating God’s strict instructions. (Spare me details). Both of them fell and sin found itself in the world.

Despite God’s anger, He, in His infinite love for His people still sent Prophets to turn things around without success. He later on sent His only begotten son Jesus Christ to transform His people. These same people rebelled against Him and crucified him even though He committed no crime.

Platform On Which Hate Speech Thrives

Today we are engulfed in Hate, greed, fear, graft, embezzlement, bribery and corruption, discrimination, tribalism, favoritism, xenophobia, regionalism, hypocrisy, falsehood, envy, jealousy, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, marginalization, lies, human rights and liberties abuse, election rigging etc etc etc. Are these not the platform on which Hate speech thrives abundantly? The answer is a big YES. Can we who are promoters of the above deviant behavior fight Hate speech? The answer is a big NO. I challenge some of us; all over our country who are condemning hate speech, whether we have the moral/spiritual authority to fight Hate Speech! How can we condemn what we promote? This is certainly very hypocritical and impossible. If we MUST fight Hate speech, we MUST start from what causes Hate speech otherwise it would be an effort in futility.

How can we fight Hate speech when we cannot respect the Rule of law of our land? Are we truly patriotic?

How can we fight Hate speech when discrimination is promoted at all the echelons of our society? Where there is discrimination/favoritism there is hate speech.

How can we fight Hate speech when the core moral values of love, Justice, equity, transparency, goodness, kindness, accountability, integrity, truth, patriotism, respect of human rights and liberties, credibility etc that should be espoused to constitute the platform of our daily activities are treated with levity?

How can we fight Hate speech when meritocracy has given way to mediocrity?

How can we fight Hate speech when some of those who receive awards, distinctions and medals are of questionable character?

Somebody Who Rigs Election, Cannot Fight Hate Speech

Some time ago I met with someone I know at an event who boasted that he has occupied high positions within our society, and even trumpeted that he is one of the most bilingual and educated Cameroonians. I chatted with him for about twenty minutes and told him straight to his face, that I do not value his learned stature as most Cameroonians know him as corrupt and election rigger, and that he had nothing to offer as he was morally bankrupt. I reminded him of his unbridled quest for power and money by corrupt means that people know. He was ashamed when I disclosed to him in the presence of another friend what he had done when he worked at one of our state institutions. Can such a person fight Hate speech? Absolutely NO, because, he is partly responsible for those in abject poverty, idling around, and wrecking havoc.

How can we fight Hate speech when poverty and unemployment, are our mainstay? A hungry and an unemployed person is a fertile ground for Hate Speech.

How can we fight Hate speech when elections are rigged at almost all levels of our society? About 95% of uprising in the world emanate from rigged elections. See what happens at Cultural Associations, in our Communities, our global Churches, within Political parties, within the civil society, even in the Bar Association where the Rule of law ought to be the watch word. Despicable!

How can we fight Hate speech when Religious structures that ought to be a moral force to reckon with have degenerated into despicable moral decadence?

How can we fight Hate speech when parents do no longer bring up their children in the way of the Lord? Proverbs 22:6

The fear of the Lord which should be the beginning of wisdom has now been transformed into the fear of money, power, relevance, position, promotion  etc. is the beginning of wisdom.

How can we fight Hate speech when religious knowledge and moral education do not feature in the curriculum of our children’s studies? Four “O” level papers without Religious Knowledge; or Two “A” level papers without Religious Knowledge. Are we not saying that four or two papers without God?  So how does this situation bring up the child in the way of the Lord? Answer blowing in the wind.

How can one who promotes corruption, bribery, graft, discrimination, tribalism, division, divide and rule, hypocrisy, falsehood, xenophobia, violence, bitterness, frustration, sycophancy, surrogacy, bootlicking, praise singing, idol worshiping etc etc etc fight Hate speech? All of these vices virtually promote hate speech.

Academia That Is Devoid Of Core Moral And Spiritual Values

Even if we are not scrupulously respecting the Rule of law of our Country let us at least ask for direction from our awesome God. This is the person whose boots we should lick daily by going on our knees and asking for forgiveness after repenting from our sins.1Chronicles 7:14

Why is it that even some of the books that could even lead us into being patriotic are systematically spurned?

I have had occasion of reading and re-reading many great books on Goodness, Audacity of Hope, and Lamentation for a beloved Country, Nation Building, the Politics of Jesus, Rigour and Moralization, The Seven Habits of highly effective people. These books have inspired and molded me a lot.

These books were good yesterday and are today still relevant for a society that wants to live in peace and harmony. If these books had been imbibed at all echelons of our body polity, we would have long emerged as Cameroon is blessed with huge natural and human resources. We would have also avoided the socio-political crisis rocking the NW/SW Regions of our country. Most Cameroonians I know are very intelligent in almost all areas of life. Unfortunately, academia that is devoid of core moral/spiritual values represents almost nothing. Such academia cannot build a great Nation.

Yet, why have these books been spurned? This is because by implementing their contents embezzlers and grafters would no longer have their way. They have over the years, with impunity looted and plundered the resources, thereby creating poverty and unemployment. Despicable!

These books imply that the Rule of law would be respected by all and sundry thereby curbing inequalities that are fertile grounds for frustration and of course Hate Speech. Intrigues, greed, vaulting and inordinate ambitions, unbridled quest for power, recognition, visibility, position, manipulations, lies, cover ups, and FEAR are largely responsible for most of frustrations leading to Hate Speech.

The Anglophone Crisis

The socio-political crisis in the NW/SW Regions is still very pre-occupying owing to a couple of reasons. Some of the key players, call them stake holders have NEVER told the truth because of FEAR. They fear to lose friendship, they fear to lose benefits, favours, advantages, promotions, appointments or reappointments, grandeur, titles, awards, glamour, splendour and what have you!

People have forgotten that all the above attributes no matter how we acquired them will slip off our fingers when God wills it. I have always reminded myself that there is no position or anything I possess anywhere that I cannot let go when it comes to standing for the truth and defending general interest. We have also forgotten that our live here on earth is ephemeral and that we have a responsibility to leave the world better than we met it. We have also forgotten that amassing wealth to the detriment of our brothers and sisters is a heinous crime against humanity and that we shall all be held accountable to our creator for all our deeds. We even forget that we came empty and will leave the world empty.

Some people are insensitive to the many civilians and members of the military, perishing in the senseless war in the NW/SW Regions. Some of us are more interested in how much money we make on the blood of our brothers and sisters dying in their great numbers. Those countries manufacturing arms are making brisk business. Terrible. Others are making political capital of the crisis. A big SHAME to us all. There is always time for reckoning when all will be said and done.

Finally, when the Pope’s representative visited Cameroon recently he re-echoed what I have been recommending since about four years now on how we can honestly solve the socio-political crisis in the NW/SW regions: namely the creation of a Justice, Peace and Reconciliation platform. An executive Commission with full powers to act independently. This will constitute the platform for honest, objective, inclusive dialogue to hold.  For this to happen smoothly, some preliminary measures should be taken to create an enabling environment. I still stand by this crusade and pray that God should show the people of this beloved country the right way to come out of the crisis.

The Way Forward

While this is the way, Spiritual and Moral Rearmament should be highlighted at all the facets of the country. Hate Speech must be tackled holistically especially at the grassroots where we find about 90% of frustration owing to the fact the people are living in abject squalor.

Like JF Kennedy, I will always ask myself what I can do for my country and not what my country can do for me. This I shall continue to do till my Creator calls me home whenever He wishes. It is not about perfection as nobody is perfect. It is about being useful to humanity our frailties apart.

I pray and pray and pray for God’s people.

Sir Dr Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle

Date: 28.04.2021