Biya Laughs at Common Law Lawyers: A game of political divide

Fako Lawyers strike as French Impose in South West Courts.


Fako lawyers are on their third day of a strike action protesting the imposition of French language in South West courts by Francophone magistrates. It should be recalled that these same lawyers amongst others converged in Bamenda on May 9th to castigate the imposition of the French system on the English legal system. Their meeting ended with an ultimatum to President Biya. Barely 2 months to such ultimatum, Francophone magistrates in South West are imposing French to be used in courts. It can thus be seen that President Biya does not really care. Anglophones can complain from Monday to Friday 365 days in a year, Biya and his cohorts would not give a damn.

Meanwhile, in another move to satisfy common law lawyers in North West, Marcel Abah Oyono, the North West Court of Appeal Attorney General who imposed the use of the French language in Northwest courts, has in a Presidential decree been transferred to Adamawa region. While Biya replaces a Camerounese with a Southern Cameroonian in one region of Anglophone Cameroon, the other Francophone magistrates in another region of Anglophone Cameroon are repeating the same scenario. In fact, this is a merry go round and it seems President Biya enjoys the game and yet Anglophone elites are not reading the handwriting clearly on the wall.

However, some political pundits have interpreted Biya's Tuesday decision as one of the solutions being proffered by President Biya to the Anglophone Lawyers’ six months ultimatum. Observers say if Biya’s decision to appoint an Anglophone, Njie Albert Nganje as Attorney General for the North West Court of Appeal is to appease the Lawyers, then he might just have resolved the problem half way because the same scenario just began in South West as Fako lawyers enters their third day of strike action.

I can verily state categorically  here that if the "Anglophone" elites must get Biya on the dialogue table, they and its people must begin looking at the "Anglophone" problem in the eyes of the SCNC. Without which I guess we are bound to fail.

What would the common lawyers do next? Would they call for another conference? Would they be bold enough to do the right thing as it should be done? They very well know the political history and legal relationship of Southern Cameroons with La Republique du Cameroun. It is time for them to do the right thing, if Biya must be at the position to dialogue.

God Bless Southern Cameroons.

SEASON 4: Southern Cameroons Passport, Frequently Asked Questions

HISTORY, FACTS, AND LIES: A SOUTHERN CAMEROONS PRODUCTION

SEASON 4: Southern Cameroons Passport, Frequently Asked Questions

 1) Why the Passport ?

The passport issue is a strategic act of defiance, alienating us from La Republique Du Cameroun. Also, we are strategically working ahead of time because the Passport is a tool we will need after       attaining our goal of INDEPENDENCE.

2) Why the change of name to Ambazonia Passport, why not maintain the name which is historically and legally traced ?

Practically speaking, the  name Cameroon easily appeals or draws people's attention to La Republique Du Cameroun. Logically speaking, Southern Cameroons is mistakenly referred to as the Southern part of Cameroon, so it creates room for too much explanation which is time consuming.

On the other hand Ambazonia which is derived from Ambas Bay defines us by our geographical  location, giving us a unique appellation and would drive curiosity into the mind of any listener.

On the issue of legality, it is no problem because in life people do change their names but their date of birth and history does not change, so too our independence date of 1st, October, 1961 remains  the same and the history of Southern Cameroons remains our history.

 3) What are the criteria to apply ?

Criteria would also mean eligibility. This is when ones lineage and ethnicity is traceable within the  confines of our national boundaries.

4) How do you check credibility of those who applied ?

This is based on the information provided by the applicant. It is important to know that any falsification   of information will be punishable and could lead to denial of citizenship.

5) How do you prevent fraud of the Passport?

Our Passport is very unique and carries special features that cannot be duplicated. Any duplicates will be electronically detected.

6) How can one apply ?

Application is easily done online for cost effectiveness. Otherwise you can download the application form ,fill it in and submit to this address: P.O Box 1252, Upper Malborough MD, USA, 20773. However, this will take longer and cost more. Otherwise, you can do it online at  http://gov.rufasca.com/

7) How much is the fee ?

The fee is a relatively small amount of 70 US Dollars, 60 Euro, 46 GB Pounds or 35,000 Amba.

8) How long does it take to reach you once applied ?

We are currently doing mass production in order to reduce cost but it should not take some few weeks before it is delivered at your door step. Remember, this is just the first phase of production. We hope any lapses would be adjusted in the future.

9) Does one has to pay for transportation ?

Those in the Diaspora will pay for handling (transport). An exception for those within the national  territory

10) What about those who do not own an account?

They can pay through a money transfer agent into the bank account details displayed on the portal  Account No: 22997760: Iban GB31 LOYD 3097 9022 9977 60  BIC: LOYDGB21351

Paying through a money transfer agent is more costly. We however propose that comrades with         bank cards can mediate for those without bank cards.

11) Has any state recognize the Passport?

This is what we are aiming at in our strategic plan on the diplomatic scene.

12) How can the Passport be put to use ?

It is a strategic tool to sell our image to the world and to amplify our defiance from La Republique Du Cameroun. It could be use as at now for identification purposes, to send money abroad. In fact it is a national pride to own the passport

13) Is there any plans to negotiate with foreign governments in recognising the Passport ?

Yes, it is in our strategic plan.

14) Has the passport been endorsed by SCNC ?

SCNC is aware of our plans.

15) What about some unscrupulous who will want to use it to apply for asylum for their own selfish gains ?

 This is where they will be caught up with their own nemesis because whichever government that will want to grant asylum status would obviously seek an affidavit from us and that will not be possible.

16) Can the Bamilekes/Bassas who ran away from Cameroun and settled in Southern Cameroons be eligible to apply ?

Refer to the response to Q3. However, genuine commitment and participation to the course will be a consideration.

17) Any last words ?

We are strategically moving forward with total determination. We are determined to put 3 important assets into the struggle given that a peaceful process would not deliver. These 3 assets include,  lives, money and time because the freedom of our nation (Ambazonia) is inevitable and a must. We  beckon on all to join in the fight, no room to fear and betrayal. We are backed by truth and we know   GOD is on our side.

Questions prepared by Bareta Media and Communications

Responses by Roland Fominyam, Spokesperson , Southern Cameroons/Ambazonia Patriotic Alliance, SCAPA

Football and the "Anglophone" Problem

The national team of Cameroun just exited from the World Cup with their heads high and as a lover of football and the fact that I am an African, I supported this team all through out. Yes, the composition of the team saw no "Anglophone" apart from the coach who is said to have a Francophone upbringing though an Anglophone himself. I do not know whether Anglophone ladies do not play football or whether they play and could not be selected. What I know is that, at all fabric of national life in that country called Cameroun, there is a systemic and continues marginalisation of Anglophones.

Some people have been quick to say both Francophones and Anglophones are subjects to Biya's policies and poor administration.They said though the Anglophone problem is real, the Francophones too are suffering from the hardship caused by Paul Biya. I think in other African countries, all citizens faced the bad governance of their government whether they belong to the government party or not, it is a cankerworm in Africa.

In Cameroon both Anglos and Francos faced the bad governance of Paul Biya and are also subjected to similar hardship like any other Africans will face in their country but that is not the Anglophone problem.I prefer to call it the Southern Cameroons question.Let me however use the term Anglophone for easy understanding (Anglophone herein refers to Southern Cameroons). The Anglophone problem is unique and can be compared to no other problem in Cameroon. The Anglophone problem is that of assimilation, annexation, in fact it is a constitutional problem involving a state whose people have become stateless. The only solution is restoring that state and there are just two ways in restoring that state depending on what the people of Southern Cameroons will vote for.

Now when it comes to football, supporting the lionese does not mean supporting the Biya's regime or supporting the pain inflicted on the people of southern Cameroons as a result of the Anglophone problem.People should be able to differentiate these things. I have seen Southern Cameroonians supporting the Camerounese team, there is nothing wrong with that, I supported the team and so what?. When we support English, Italian, Spanish, French football clubs and even bet money on them, does that make us English, Spanish or Italian? Are not these the same people who colonised us and put us where we are, yet we support and enjoy their teams. Most of us support basketball played in USA, we watched their films and series , we argue over their actors on who is best or not and do not even recognised our own African film actors and comedians, what does that signify?

In most football competitions, some of us would support Brazil, Germany, USA , France etc, does that make us their citizens?. Are not these the same people who captured our parents into slavery, colonised us and created boundaries in Africa? So therefore my friends who are southern Cameroons activists should not get worked up when the Cameroun team is being supported by Southern cameroonians, they must be able to put things in context.When it comes to football, because of the love and art of the game, it is a different ball game entirely.If you hate anything camerounese that is your problem for freedom does not come from hatred. Freedom comes from love despite the terrible things inflicted upon you by the occupier.This is what Ghandi, Martin Luther, Mandela showed.

Like it is popularly said within Christian cycles, hate the sin and not the sinner. Hating anything Camerounese or hating Francophones because of the mess our parents both Anglophone and Francophone politicians together with the complicity of France and UK put us cannot and will not solve the Southern Cameroons question. Freedom comes from love and justice and only these virtues can get us to the promise land.

God is still saying something.

HISTORY, FACTS AND LIES- Non-implementation of UNGA Resolution 1608 (XV)

HISTORY, FACTS AND LIES-A SOUTHERN CAMEROONS PRODUCTION

SEASON THREE:  Non-implementation of UNGA Resolution 1608 (XV)

1. Was Southern Cameroons self governing?

The Southern Cameroons was fully self-governing from 1954 to 1961. It was a thriving constitutional  democracy  operating  a  parliamentary  system  of government  modelled after that of the British. During that period it had two free and fair elections, a peaceful regime change, and a Constitution (the Southern Cameroons Constitution Order-in- Council 1960) based on values of democracy, the rule of law, an independent judiciary, an open society, a free press, freedom of expression and movement, human rights and accountability. It had international personality and international status, first as a League of Nations Mandate and secondly as a United Nations Trust Territory. By dint of this international personality and international status, it was a qualified subject of international law. After seven years of full self-government,  the Southern Cameroons was poised for sovereign statehood as provided in Article 76 b of the UN Charter and the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (UNGA Resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960). Rather than grant independence outright to the Southern Cameroons, the United Nations and the United Kingdom as Administering Authority contrived to organise a questionable plebiscite in the Territory.

2. What happened after publication of the plebiscite results?

Soon after the plebiscite results were announced Republic of Cameroun started plotting secretly on annexing the Southern Cameroons. And yet, in 1959 the President of Republic of Cameroun had gone to the United Nations and given the solemnly assurance that it had no expansionist ambitions and that it would not annex the Southern Cameroons. “We are not annexationists,” he declared to the World Body, stating that Republic  of Cameroun  is prepared  to form a political  association  with the Southern Cameroons “on a footing of equality.”

3.So what happened on 21st April 1961?

On 21 April 1961 the General Assembly of the United Nations met to consider the results of the plebiscite. It took two separate roll-call votes on those results. The first roll-call vote endorsed the decision of the people of the Trust Territory to achieve independence. The second roll-call vote acknowledged the matter of political association with Republic of Cameroun in a federation of two states, equal in status. In Resolution 1608 (XV) of that date, the results of these two separate roll-call votes were infelicitously conflated in one sentence thus: “endorsed the results of the plebiscite that the people of the Southern Cameroons decided to achieve independence by joining Republic of Cameroun”.

4.What does the resolution state?

In that resolution the United Nations went on to appoint 1st October 1961 as the effective date of independence of the Southern Cameroons concomitant with the termination of the Trusteeship Agreement “in accordance with Article 76 b of the Charter of the United Nations.” In rather ambiguous phraseology,  the World Body  further decided on the termination of the Trusteeship Agreement “upon the Southern Cameroons joining the Republic of Cameroun.” Untidily, all three events, namely, independence, termination of trusteeship, and ‘joining’, were enjoined to take place on the same date. ‘Joining’ was however made conditional upon the Southern Cameroons, Britain and Republic of Cameroun finalizing the manner of implementation of the federal set-up agreed upon by the Southern Cameroons and Republic of  Cameroun  before the plebiscite.  On this

specific point the United Nations in that same resolution invited: “the Government of the Southern Cameroons, the United Kingdom, and Republic of Cameroun to initiate urgent discussions with a view to finalizing before 1 October 1961, the arrangements by which the agreed and declared policies of the parties concerned will be implemented.”

It was understood by all concerned that the United Nations would be associated with these “urgent discussions” contemplated by Resolution 1608. This understanding comes from the solemn assurance given by the United Kingdom Government during Anglo- Southern Cameroons talks in London in October 1960. During those talks the British Secretary of State for the Colonies informed the anxious Southern Cameroons delegation that:

“A vote for attaining independence by joining the Republic of Cameroun would mean that, by an early date to be decided by the United Nations after consultation with the Government of the Southern Cameroons, the Cameroun Republic, and the United Kingdom as Administering Authority, the Southern Cameroons and Cameroun Republic would unite in a Federal United Cameroon Republic. The arrangements would be worked out after the plebiscite by a conference consisting of representative delegations of equal status from the Republic of Cameroun and the Southern Cameroons. The United Nations and the United Kingdom would also be associated with this conference.”

5. We learnt Republic of Cameroun Voted against the resolution?

Republic of Cameroun advisedly voted against Resolution 1608 (XV). By that act it rejected political association with the Southern Cameroons and maintained its frontiers with the Territory  as unchanged.  The instruments attesting  to its independence  and international boundaries deposited with and duly recorded at the United Nations when it was  admitted  to membership  of  the  Organisation  remain  unchanged.By July 1961 Republic of Cameroun started speaking expansionist language. It assert claim to the territory of the Southern Cameroons.

The envisaged Four-Party post-plebiscite conference failed to take place, resulting in the non-implementation of the outcome of the plebiscite. In fact, after adopting Resolution 1608 (XV) of 21 April 1961 the United Nations simply washed its hands off the Southern Cameroons. And yet the trusteeship still had at least six months to run since the United Nations itself had set 1 October 1961 as the end date of the trusteeship. 

The United Nations did not monitor post-plebiscite developments in the Trust Territory. It did not require the Administering Authority to submit a report on developments leading up to termination of trusteeship. It made no efforts to ensure the effective implementation of its own resolution. Republic of Cameroun cashed in on this serious dereliction of responsibility by the United Nations.  It  carried out  military incursions deep into the Southern Cameroons. On 1 September 1961, its Assembly passed a law amending its Constitution by providing for the annexation of the Southern Cameroons. In that law and in  policy statements  made  afterwards  Republic  of  Cameroun  stated  that  the  Trust

Territory of the Southern British Cameroons is part of its territory returned to her by the United Nations and the United Kingdom. In the same month of September 1961, French- led forces of Republic of Cameroun marched into the Southern Cameroons, physically occupied the territory with the acquiescence of the Administering Authority, and began enforcing an unwarranted state of emergency declared over the peaceful Territory.

The annexation and occupation of the Southern Cameroons took place while the United Nations and the Administering Authority passed ‘on the other side’ like the Biblical priest and the Levite. Tragically, the Southern Cameroons did not achieve independence promised by the Charter of the United Nations and the plebiscite. Nor was there a valid political association of the Southern Cameroons and Republic of Cameroun. Republic of Cameroun occupies the territory and administers it with an iron fist as its colonial dependency.

Produce by Mark Bara

Publish by Bareta Media and Communications

Answers culled from Southern Cameroons Briefing Papers