Felix Agbor Nkongho, widely known as Agbor Balla, is a Cameroonian human rights lawyer, activist, academic, and legal expert. He was born on August 23, 1970, in Kumba, Cameroon, and is a leading figure in the country’s Anglophone civil society. 

Early activism: Agbor Balla’s activism began in his youth, when he was expelled from school for “subversive writing” that critiqued administrators.

Education: Agbor Balla holds an LLB in English Private Law from the University of Yaoundé I and has dual qualifications to practice law in both Cameroon and Nigeria. His academic pursuits also include multiple master’s degrees in international and comparative law from institutions in Belgium and the United States’ University of Notre Dame, as well as diplomas from The Hague Academy of International Law.

International: His extensive legal career includes working with the United Nations in various roles, advising on human rights and international law in countries like Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Academic positions: He has held teaching positions at the University of Buea and the Pan-African Institute for Development-West Africa.

Advocacy and human rights work

Founder of CHRDA: He is the founder and president of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), an organization focused on promoting democracy, justice, and the rule of law across the continent. The CHRDA also provides humanitarian aid to internally displaced persons and offers pro bono legal services.

Anglophone Crisis: Agbor Balla played a prominent role in the 2016 Anglophone protests as a co-leader of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC). He and other leaders were arrested in January 2017 following peaceful protests over the marginalization of English-speaking Cameroonians. He was later released by presidential decree after facing charges, including terrorism.

Recent advocacy: In February 2025, ahead of Cameroon’s presidential elections, he urged traditional rulers to remain politically neutral. In October 2025, he called for major reforms and a transitional government to address the country’s crises.

Awards and recognition: Agbor Balla’s human rights work has garnered numerous international and national awards:

2024: International Human Rights Award by the American Bar Association.

2022: Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award.

2020: Irwin Cotler Human Rights Award from the High Commissioner of Canada in Cameroon.

2019: Central Africa Shield Award from African Defenders.

Due to his human rights work, his family has faced threats. His father’s house was burned down. He owns a house in the city of Buea. Agbor Balla has an estimated net worth of $300,000 approximately 170 million FCFA.