The Power of the SCNC and the bribing mechanisms of Paul Biya.

La Republique always holds the view that, the Southern Cameroons question is of no essence, they say it lacks legitimacy, but yet the Government through its mechanisms have created so many factions within the SCNC popularly known as the Government factions. The SCNC which came about after the AAC 1&2 as a result of failed dialogue with the government has seen various chairmen, each with their own scandals and fights. Truth be told that, a lot of Southern Cameroonians have benefited from the Government largese by using the SCNC as a bait or participating actively then dropped out after Biya's agent drops some hard currencies. It is evident that, a lot of Southern Cameroons youth has gained asylum in countries using the SCNC story. While it is good for these asylum seekers because the fact that a foreign government gives asylum based on the SCNC story, it goes a long way to legitimise the course, but the most unfortunate thing is that, these youths granted asylum on SCNC platforms do not give back to the movement to make it grow, in fact some of them hide under dubious names on facebook and castigates the movement.These are some of the setbacks of the movement.

Recently we have read in the media from two SCNC members how the government promised a 600 million bribe to some SCNC members to throw away the case  against la republique, the government ended handing over 30 million CFA promising to release the rest should they see improvement, reports Cameroon Journal. This is not the first time we have heard counter accusations from members within the movement. The fact that, the government can go to any extend to kill the movement speaks volumes.

We cannot deny the strength of the SCNC. While it is fair to say that, Paul Biya only woke up from sleep to promote Ayah Paul Abine, a promotion which had long overdue, was because of the purported election of Lord Justice Ayah as SCNC Chair. However, like I have always maintained, it was right for Ayah to accept his promotion as he advances his professional career considering the oath of office he took to defend all manner of persons. The SCNC should be able to take stock from the Biya-Ayah appointment.The SCNC should be able to know that Biya trembles when the SCNC is about to get a credible leadership or when the movement is about to be in Unity. If truly the SCNC stands for the general good of the people, all issues would be buried and a common force created.In fact, the SCNC should carry out a total clean up, new faces and completely new leadership should see the light of day. The SCNC should use their strength because Biya can only dialogue when he is in the position of weakness.

The bible tells us that, only the truth shall save us free and no matter how long it takes, the truth always prevails. Despite the shortcomings of the SCNC and her sister organizations, it is my strong convictions that, the Southern Cameroons question still remains legitimate and cannot be wiped under the bridge. Recent happenings in Cameroons that still grossly marginalized the peoples of Southern Cameroons, still reawakens the zeal to see an independent country.

I still strongly hold the view that, there would be no genuine change in the Cameroons without addressing the Southern Cameroons question, for there is unity in diversity not centralism.

Like senior citizen comrade Mwalimu George NGWANE In his paper: Because we were involved (Reflections on the All Anglophone Conference ten years after) said " Whether the Anglophone problem is considered a forgotten scar of our collective memory or an open sore of our collective survival, it will continue to prick the conscience of the Cameroonian body-politic".

God is still saying something

University of Buea Poised For All-Round Excellence: DNA Test now done in UB

By Ajongakou Santos in Buea

The University of Buea in its quest for excellence has stretched out its academic, research and community outreach tentacles to the entire republic, beating the seven other state universities. UB’s participation in a programme to build capacity for a structured institutional approach for training young academics (Early Career Researchers) in research and related skills is beginning to pay-off. After sundry years of research, UB’s biotechnology Unit, Department of biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science now delights in the fallouts. The Faculty of Science in the University of Buea  has embraced research for some time now and can now tell the success story through its most recent discovery; doing a DNA test on site; a thing only the University of Buea in Cameroon now does. Thanks to the support of research grants from UB itself, as well as from the World Health Organisation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UB’s Biotechnological Unit now writes its success story in the face of academic pangs and tortures.

Professor Fidelis Cho-Ngwa - Head of UB’s Biotechnology Unit and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology- tells the story to the Median.

Read-on:

Median: Prof. your laboratory has certainly gone through thick and thin to discover the possibility of conducting a DNA test here on campus, a thing only the University of Buea among state Universities can do. Tell us how you broke the odds

Prof. Cho-Ngwa: You see, several things converged to make this possible. The first thing is that, we are a department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Therefore, we deal with the biological molecules, including, the DNA. We are the epicentre on works around the DNA. Because we are in that field, and the fact that we also run a professional MSc program called, M.Sc. in Molecular Diagnostic Science, which was recently changed by the last senate of the University to become MSc Molecular Epidemiology and Diagnostic Science, we had no choice, but to develop the test. This is part of the professionalization of Higher Education the Head of State, President Paul Biya has been talking about. We were encouraged to run this professional programme also because of the techniques we learned from laboratories abroad (in Europe, USA and other African countries). The difficulty was first, getting the knowledge and hands-on skills, and secondly getting the equipment. But thanks to a number of research grants that we obtained notably, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the government of Belgium, we were able to gather some equipment that  permitted the development and installation  of this test at UB. However, for us to be able to do analyses on trace or latent (invisible) evidence, such as on a hair or cigarette butt, of a spot that has been touched with fingers at a crime scene,  we need more sensitive machines which we currently don’t have, but are not very expensive.

Median: What is DNA?

Prof. Cho-Ngwa: DNA is acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid - the hereditary material . It is what people commonly call gene. But in more technical terms, DNA is the carrier of the gene. It is the DNA that makes you look the way you do. So DNA is information for the organism to be what it is. We should also note that no two individuals on earth have the same DNA content, except identical twins. And so if you were to do a DNA test, you won’t be able to differentiate between identical twins, because they have come from the same fertilised egg. In fact, they only differ slightly at times because of environmental factors. Individuals differ in their DNA content by about or less than 0.1%, while the difference between man and the chimpanzee (the closest animal relative of the human being), is only about 1%. That means we are about 99% genetically related to the chimps.

Median: Okay, why is it important to do one’s DNA test?

Prof. Cho-Ngwa: The DNA test is used to solve so many problems. Generally, we use it only when there is a problem, given that it is also a test that could stir trouble. Paternity testing is first (two men for instance fighting over a child or a father refusing that a child is not his), where the DNA test will pick out the father very neatly. Maternity testing is second (two women struggling know who owns the child or the case of a stolen baby). DNA will point out the right mother. DNA is also necessary in forensics, (criminology) where somebody commits a crime and becomes a suspect that could be proven innocent or guilty. You just need to go to the crime scene, get some of the things he/she could possibly have touched, or blood spill, fallen hair, etc and check to see if the suspect was at the crime scene. It is also used for person identification. We have successfully used a form of the DNA test in our laboratory to tell the sex of foetuses as from 6 weeks of gestation using few drops of blood from the pregnant woman (ethical considerations are crucial here). This is possible because the foetus's DNA is present in the mother's blood. You could use the test to establish ancestral relationships. Also in establishing that someone has effectively raped a woman.

Median: Now Prof. let’s talk about the procedures. Science warrants the submission of a DNA sample for a genealogical DNA test. One of the methods is by submitting chewing gum.  How is this done?

Prof. Cho-Ngwa:  Of course, saliva has a lot of DNA. Also cells falling from the walls of the mouth cavity provide DNA to the gum. By the time you finish chewing the gum, you should have put into it, so much DNA that forensic scientist may not need to do the analyses. The technology that is used is so sensitive that it takes a very small amount of DNA and amplifies it literally millions of times.

Median: Prof. Cho-Ngwa, there are three types of genealogical DNA test; Autosomal, mitochondrial DNA and Y- Chromosome DNA. What is the difference and which of them does your laboratory test?

 Prof. Cho-Ngwa: Our laboratory can test all, depending only on the probes (PCR primers) we use. The first one, Autosomal has to do with the normal cellular genomic DNA of your body. Mitochondrial DNA is used to establish maternal lineage. It has to do with matrilineal testing because we get the Mitochondrial DNA only from our mothers. We don’t inherit it from our fathers, only from our mothers. So if you are looking for people who come from some old grandma you go for a Mitochondrial DNA test. For the Y- Chromosome genealogical analyses, you want to look for patriline (father).

Median: Until now Prof. Cameroonians had a laissez-faire attitude towards doing their DNA test. To get an American Visa today- a thing sundry Cameroonians flurry to do- demands you establish a biological relationship. Has this in any way motivated numerous tests?

Prof. Cho-Ngwa: We are thinking more of missing babies, catching criminals, solving problems of people fighting over children, men disowning their children and so on. Testing so people could go abroad is just one of the applications, but not one of our priorities. It could however,  be a very good thing if people can first of all get themselves tested out of Embassy business before they go there, so that women  could make some confessions before they get embarrassed at the Embassy. In fact, there is a research publication that says women cheat at the same rate as men do.

Median: According to DNA Testing Advisor.com, many African Americans and others are using an African DNA test to get answers about their ethnic ancestry. Is there a difference with the other DNA test?

Prof. Cho-Ngwa: No-no-no. It’s basically the same technology except you have to move from there and do Molecular Phylogenetic analyses, which we do using online tools. Allele frequencies for different genetic markers established for African populations are also used. When you do a Molecular Phylogenetic analyses, you see which group the person will cluster with and that will be the origin of the person because people who have come from the same lineage share so much of their genetic sequences together. Those are test that can be done even here in Cameroon. We can even use that to follow the evolution of certain ethnic groups within Cameroon, then we might be able to say, the Bakweri people and the Duala people are related or not related, or that the Bakweri people are more related to the Ibo people or not , and so on.

Median: The University of Buea, out of Cameroon’s eight State Universities, being able to do a DNA test today after sundry years of research is worth applauding. How are Cameroonians going to benefit from this huge discovery?

Prof. Cho-Ngwa: The first thing is that, the DNA testing is going to be done on the ground. There is no possibility of sample mix-up on their way to western countries. The experiments can be done while the persons are seated in the same lab, most importantly; it’s going to be cheaper. The average test in America is done for 250.000 Francs CFA, but we are not going to ask more than 100.000 francs. DNA testing in the University of Buea, Cameroon will give faster results, surer results and more accurate results given that the sample needs not pass through so many hands. The machine we are using have not been manufactured in Cameroon, but by the same companies that have manufactured the ones used in the west, and so, all you need is proper training which we have given our students here.  Certainly the University is training people on how to do this test through the M.Sc. in Molecular Epidemiology and Diagnostic Science. Cameroonians also work in some of the DNA testing labs abroad, so why not here also.

Median: Where can one start if he/ she want to come for a DNA test at your Laboratory here in Buea?

Prof. Cho-Ngwa: We have to meet the Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Research, Cooperation and Relations with the Business World to get the modus operandi in place. But for now, we are running it on our research platform. When you visit our lab for a DNA test for now, we would give you genetic counselling, then if you have reached the age of majority (21), you would be asked to sign certain ethical forms after verification of your national ID; or a parent or guardian could sign on your behalf if you are below that age. For the paternity test, the parent to sign can only be the mother; for the maternity test, both parents have to sign or a court order should exist. You need to come to the ANDI Center of Excellence, Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of Science. This building is the closest to the University Catholic church building, at the Catholic Church entrance into the University of Buea during working hours at the lab (8:00 am to 4 pm), Monday to Friday. You could also call the number 677623220.   

Median: So who is Prof. Cho-Ngwa?

Prof. Cho-Ngwa: Hahahahahaha. Okay, Prof. Cho-Ngwa is a Biochemist, Molecular Biologist, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I am also Head of the Department, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and also Head of the Pan African Centre of Excellence. Prof. Cho-Ngwa is also a writer. He is author of the widely  used Advanced Level Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses; Principles, Techniques and Practice for A/L Chemistry Students. Fourth Edition. I am an "akamantso" title holder in two villages (Chomba (a Mankon clan) and Mbei -Santa) in the NW Region.

Median: Okay, any last words to the readers of this interview?

Prof. Cho-Ngwa: Sure, I would like to inform all and sundry to know it, UB now runs the DNA test. They should come and see for themselves. To the government of Cameroon, I will say, they should invest much more in research because it pays. Some of them might not be quick with results, but when the results certainly come, it is glory to the entire nation. We urge for government’s support in all domains; morally and financially so that together, we will write Cameroon’s name in International Research Record Books. 

SOUTHERN CAMEROONS: MATTERS ARISING

The truth is that, the legitimacy of the restoration of independence of Southern Cameroons cannot be challenged in any court of law. It just so happens that, the powers that be have not been pushed to the wall to consider the claims the SCNC and other movements are making.Until the dynamics of the forces which stands against the vision and aspiration of the SCNC are threatened, then the status quo is bound to remain the same.

It is evident that independence is never given on a platter of gold. You must work for it. While the community of Nations ( UN Members) enjoys diplomatic relationships with La Republique, the SCNC activists are hoping that the restoration of the statehood would be attained through peaceful means in what they call " The Force of Argument, Not The Argument of Force". When we look across the nations who fought for their independence, they did so with an iron fist stained with the blood of men and women.They did so because they had a large segment of the people they want to lead.They had support from friendly nations, they had support from their diaspora brothers and sisters and most importantly they had support from the people on the home soil. Is this the case with SCNC?

The movement of Southern Cameroons independence has a considerable large silent support from people who do not want to dare.Most of the open support comes from the diaspora-from people who can talk freely, move freely and criticise freely and even hold SCNC meetings freely.This by itself is good because the diaspora have a role to play but this support can only be translated to a large movement back home, if not then the purpose of it is defeated. Do SCNC have this large support back home? My take to this question is two fold.The SCNC have a silent support, but lacks such physical support from the masses from people who want to dare.Who is ready to dare? Who is ready to sacrifice to challenge the community of nations to speak up.The arrest of SCNC members and subsequent release has been going on for decades now, yet it has not been able to trigger the international community. What then can the SCNC and her sister movement do to get the masses behind them? What message can they sell to win the sympathy of Southern Cameroonians? Is it all about an issue of a few?

The people of Southern Cameroons cum Anglophones are by themselves afraid to speak up.We have seen the recent poor translation of the police exams from French to English. Teachers Union across Southern Cameroons have called for its cancellation yet we are still to hear from any top Anglophone politician.No body seems to care.How can Biya be threatened when he knows he owns the chiefs and fons across Southern Cameroons.How can Biya get into dialogue from the position of strength? The SCNC should be at the position of strength to engage Biya into dialogue respecting the Banjul verdict.Is this the case? Is the SCNC and her sister movements in a position of strength?

The Solution:

While respecting the right to self determination.The truth remains the truth.What is the truth here ? The truth is that there is no union between both Cameroons. On December 31st, 2009, President Paul Biya confirmed this. Period. Now the solution to this truth might have different options.Some might want to make the Union legal and get into a confederation or loose federation and some might want to just have nothing more to do with La Repubique du Cameroun. And these options are based on many factors and ones political decisions.Political decisions change as time moves on. It should be noted that before the SCNC took the zero option of complete independence, originally the option the mother foundation had was returning to the Federation.When they had this option, were they playing games? No, they were not.They only change to zero option when the Biya's government refuses to listen and so SCNC was born.This is about going with the options we think could be feasible considering all political factors on the ground.The truth should not be confuse with options.

 Angelbert Nde, one of Cameroons youth activists had this to say "We call on all anglophone youths to create an anglophone youth movement that will fight for justice for the anglophones in the current dispensation. It will also educate the entire country on the plight of the anglophones". I added by saying that,  such an Anglophone peoples' movement should be one to fight for the rights of Anglophone in the current political dispensation.A movement that is not for a separate country, but one for national Unity while respecting the Southern Cameroons people and thereby ascribing to the 1961 accord after the Union must have full filled the legal prescriptions of UN charter.

Before I conclude this piece of information, the proponents of Southern Cameroons independence must begin now making known to the people of Southern Cameroons all the structures the new state shall take. How would the various counties operate? What form of political structures, institutions would be in place? How would elections be conducted? Would there be a rotation policy between the peoples of Southern Cameroons ( North West and South West) into the presidency. What about currency, economy? How would resources be distributed?. These are some of the issues people want to know. People want to see the blueprint of the new state of Southern Cameroons.It is not only about supporting independence, bring these issues to the public because at the end of the day, whether federation or restoration, we all shall need the support and backing of the people.It is not an issue of a few.

Conclusively, looking at the present political dispensations, I ascribed more to a confederation or call it loose Federation or greater Autonomy of Southern Cameroons.Even with this, La Republique is anathema to anything federation or independence, therefore both options would still require us to dare.Am I ready to dare? Are you ready to dare? Could the best option be the Anglophone Peoples' Movement which ascribe more to defending the rights of Anglophones in the present political status?

Where is our Moses?

God bless the Southern Cameroons.

God is still saying something

North West / South West Divide and Southern Cameroons Independence.

The truth is difficult to assimilate, but it must be told for only the truth can set us free. There has been a lot of talks regarding the so called divide between the peoples of North West and South West regions of Southern Cameroons. Political pundits say, the Biya regime has used it to his advantage to drive home his agenda. We all know that, the only legitimate opposition to Mr Biya is the Unity between the Anglophones call it Southern Cameroonians. But what is the truth on the ground?

The truth is that, I know we don't want the so called NW or SW divide, but it exist.It is not only a perception problem but it does exist. Most of us in many situations have experience this seemingly divides between the two peoples of Southern Cameroons. When I was in UB, some people used to say I am northwest in theory and southwest in practical.I have suffered this NW/SW divide also but I made it a duty a long time ago that the issue of NW or SW should never ever guard my thinking. In UB though most lecturers are from Northern zones, this tribalism exists between the two people. There is a very glaring issue of tribalism in UB in most ramifications. In many workplaces, a Northwest or Southwest guy would prefer to confide with somebody from another region against his fellow brother because of tribalism and lack of trust.

If Southern Cameroons must be United, the SCNC as the legal mouthpiece of restoring independence must create a foundation to deal away with this fright of Northwest dominance. A typical southwest guy fears the existence of an independent Southern Cameroons because of Northwest dominance. I can boldly state that, this is one of Stanley Eyongette, a former UBSU Chairman and Anglophone Cameroon activist argument of not supporting the independence drive, he wants the issue of tribalism be tackled before talking of Southern Cameroons but to me these issues can be tackled based on the constitution which should be a concrete foundation.

I think SCNC should be selling to Southern Cameroonians now how the new state will look like, a structure .There should be a vigorous campaign like how Dr Nfor N Susungi does with pictures. SCNC should have a proposed constitution, structure and put up for people to see and debates, through it there could be an honest opinion on how to moderate the structures. Most people don't see this, they want to know how the future state will look like .This is where Southerners come in. They are afraid of a state where they will be treated the same way the Francophones treats the Anglophones now.

SCNC Cameroon the mother chapter should have by now a Facebook account.I am not talking of any SCNC Facebook opened by militants.The SCNC government should have an official Facebook account with all updates and where the movement is now, where the movement is going, recent arrest like that of its militants should first come on the wall.The Facebook account should be a major tool to sell its ideas to win more people.The communication departments of the SCNC need to be radical and vigorous in selling out information to the people.But most people don't see a structure, they don't see a proposed constitution, they don't see a propose manner in which resources would be shared between both peoples, they don't see how the political system would look like.They want to know about currency, military. All these must have been written in a big book somewhere, bring these out from the big books from where it has been written, chop it in pieces to the public and let the public see how the rights of both Northwest and Southwest people would be guaranteed in the new state.

Aware that even the most organise political system in the world got issues with cracks, but as human we are called upon to continuously fix these cracks. Southern Cameroons independence would take that steam once we have a united front of both Southerners and Northerners.

Until Southern Cameroonians begin to see these issues, then the struggle shall remain a bite and blow syndrome.

God bless the Southern Cameroons.

God is still saying something.