Yaoundé, March 24, 2026

In a significant move to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities in Cameroon, the Chairperson of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CHRC) and newly elected President of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), Prof. James Mouangue Kobila, granted an audience to a delegation from the Platform for Inclusive Society for Persons with Disabilities, led by Mr. Jean-Pierre Fopa, newly elected President of its General Assembly. The audience took place at the Chemuta Banda Conference Room of the CHRC.

The audience, which lasted for approximately two hours, provided an opportunity for intense discussions on major challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Cameroon, as well as a platform to express their concerns and propose concrete solutions, a central priority of the CHRC.

Prof. James Mouangue Kobila was assisted during the audience by a team of senior officials of the CHRC including:

•⁠  ⁠Mr. Guy Armand Essery A Zom, Head of the Division for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights;

•⁠  ⁠Mrs. Lydie Francine Wo’o epse Enama Manga, Chief of Staff of the Chairperson’s Cabinet;

•⁠  ⁠Mrs. Shu Nyamboli Mabel, Interim Head of the Cooperation, Documentation, and Research Service;

•⁠  ⁠Mrs. Pauline Bilana, Head of the Promotion Unit;

•⁠  ⁠Mrs. Atud Cynthia Tifuh, Head of the Communication Unit;

•⁠  ⁠Mr. Carlos Simplice Fokem, Focal Point for Persons with Disabilities at the CHRC.

The delegation from the Platform comprised:

•⁠  ⁠Mr. Jean-Pierre Fopa, President of the General Assembly;

•⁠  ⁠Mr. Boniface Mvondo Kotto, Executive Director of the Committee;

•⁠  ⁠Mrs. Eveline Angonwi, Financial Director;

•⁠  ⁠Mr. Théophile Kemmegne Kouam, Assistant Financial Director.

Following Prof. James Mouangue Kobila’s welcome address, Mr. Jean-Pierre Fopa expressed his gratitude for the audience. He outlined the structural challenges faced by the disability community and formulated proposals aimed at improving their living conditions and representativeness.

In response, Prof. James Mouangue Kobila assured the delegation that the Commission would take tangible steps to address 80% of their concerns, which he deemed realistic. He committed to sending correspondence to the relevant authorities to recommend the implementation of these solutions. To this end, he immediately instructed the Head of the Cooperation Service, the Head of the Promotion Unit, and the Focal Point for Persons with Disabilities to prepare the prescribed actions within a working group involving representatives from the Platform for Inclusive Society.

The CHRC Chairperson further commended the Platform’s Executive Bureau for its inclusiveness, noting the respect for gender parity and bilingualism in its composition. At the end of the discussions, Prof. Mouangue Kobila presented the delegation with gifts, including CHRC sensitization documents, the Compendium of Statements and Press Releases published in 2025, and CHRC fabrics.

This audience demonstrates the CHRC’s unwavering commitment to promoting disability rights in Cameroon and its determination to work closely with civil society stakeholders to build a more inclusive society.

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