BAR President, Mbah Eric Mbah
By Michel Ange Nga
Cameroonian lawyers will elect new members to the Bar Council during the general assembly on January 18, 2025. With just a few months to go, Mbah Eric Mbah (photo), the current president of the Bar Association, has already announced his bid for re-election. His campaign poster is out, and several lawyers have already pledged their support for his candidacy.
“During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to defend the interests of the legal profession, strengthen unity within the Bar, and protect the rights of lawyers. These efforts are the result of a collective commitment, and we remain convinced that together, he can achieve even more,” says Richard Tamfu, a lawyer at the Cameroon Bar Association.
In 2022, Mbah Eric Mbah campaigned with a promise to restore the image of the legal profession in Cameroon. Beyond advocating for his colleagues, he initiated a project for the construction of the Bar’s headquarters—an ultramodern building which is yet to materialize.
Other initiatives launched by Mbah Eric Mbah are also pending completion. Notably, his discreet lobbying with the government aims to ensure that the bar entrance exam for trainees is held annually. This project, now close to fruition, is one of the key goals he hopes to achieve before stepping down.
As he did in 2022, he’s running for reelection with the same campaign slogan: “I am because you are.” This phrase, grounded in the Ubuntu philosophy he values, highlights the importance of unity among lawyers. Since his election, he’s successfully fostered a more cohesive legal community, significantly reducing the internal divisions that once plagued the Bar.
