Southern Cameroons Online Referendum: The Results

1st October 1961: Independence or Assimilation ?

What the online poll says

On 11th February 1961, British Southern Cameroons in a UN sponsored plebiscite voted to express the intention of joining the independent Republic of Cameroun or the Federal Republic of Nigeria based on certain terms. Southern Cameroonians voted massively to engage in a union of two states equal in status. A lot of history has been said concerning this, but the bottom line is that, the Union has not been "consummated".

On September 30th, 1961, British forces scrupulously left Southern Cameroons and La  Republique forces took over on 1st October. From 1st October 1961, Southern Cameroons have been under annexation, assimilation and total marginalisation from the Biya regime. Within the past years and months, several groups have spoken vocally against the assimilation/marginalization of Southern Cameroons. This reporter need not belaboured the historical facts. They are very visible for all to research on.

However, this reporter created an online poll on 8th July 2015 which ran for a month till 8th August 2016 on the SOUTHERN CAMEROONS INDEPENDENCE  at www.easypolls.net

The online poll question reads thus " In order to assess how Southern Cameroonians feels, this online pool is designed to test the resolve of the People of Southern Cameroons in light with the moves made by Southern Cameroon Lawyers and Chiefs. This pool should go a long way to give an idea of how Southern Cameroonians thinks and feels about the relationship with La Republique Du Cameroun. It is a non-binding poll. It is designed just to indicate the state of mind of Southern Cameroonians".

1. Do you want to remain in a union with La Republique Du Cameroun
2. Do you want a Two State Federation with La Republique du Cameroun
3. Do you want to be an independent Republic of Southern Cameroons

Respondents:
Number of Southern Cameroons who voted: 1200
1. 30    persons voted giving   2.5%
2. 200  persons voted giving  16.66%
3. 970  persons voted giving   80.84%

Therefore, 80.84 percent of Southern Cameroonians who voted wished for an independent Republic of Southern Cameroons. What can we make of these feelings after 54 years of assimilation from La Republique du Cameroun? How can we translate these feelings into a reality? Are we celebrating independence or assimilation?

God is still saying something.
God Bless Southern Cameroons.

Season 5: Do you know that La Republique voted against Southern Cameroons joining them?

                                      History, Facts and Lies: Season Five


The indivisibility of Cameroun is nonsense when Southern Cameroons aka Ambazonia was initially rejected by Cameroun in the vote at the UN. 

Comrade, Ntemfac wrote: Notes from Long Walk to Freedom Land by Ntemfac Ofege

Resolution 1608 (xv) as submitted by the Fourth Committee, A/4737, and as amended orally by Guinea and Liberia, adopted by the General Assembly on 21 April 1961, meeting 994, by roll-call vote of 64 to 23, with 10 abstentions

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On the other hand, here are the countries that were against such a union, citing the violation of the Trusteeship agreement, and noting that there would be future political (constitutional), socio-cultural and economic problems: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Leopoldville), Dahomey, France, Gabon, Greece, Israel, Ivory Coast, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Niger, Paraguay, Senegal, Upper Volta, and Uruguay.

*******

Countries that voted for the INDEPENDENCE of Southern Cameroons.

Afghanistan, Austria, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burma, Byelorussian SSR, Canada, Ceylon, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Federation of Malaya, Finland, Ghana, Guinea, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Japan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukrainian SSR, Union of South Africa, USSR, United Arab Republic, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Yemen, and Yugoslavia.

And there were countries without a position. They included Columbia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Italy, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and Togo. Sources of the information are from the Resolution 1608 (xv) as submitted by the Fourth Committee, A/4737, and as amended orally by Guinea and Liberia, adopted by the General Assembly on 21 April 1961, meeting 994, by roll-call vote of 64 to 23, with 10 abstentions

Archives

OF CRTV APPOINTMENTS AND BAMILEKE PETITION

The appointments of journalists into position of responsibilities has recently caught many English speaking journalists pondering the type of Unity Biya's regime is preaching. There has been an outcry from many non crtv journalists on the treatment of English speaking journalists. While the top positions remained with French speaking journalists, English speaking journalists were given sub positions and in some cases not at all.

Senior Journalist Tapang Ivo Tanku, a Fulbright scholar has been one of the lone voices calling for the cancellation of the appointments. He has put CAMASEJ to task, accusing the English Speaking Journalists Association for failing to condemn such appointments. Recently, Tapang created an online petition to force the presidency to rescind such appointments. In fact, there is a motion already calling for the impeachment of the CAMASEJ president Simon Lyonga for failing to defend the plight of English Speaking Journalists, an appointment in which he benefited as an animator.

The crux of this post is that, a Bamileke association known as LAAKAM has condemned the appointments and challenged the marginalization of Bamilikes at the state parastatal. While, I think it is fair for them to protect the interest of Bamilikes at CRTV, I disagree with their petition.

This is because if I want to talk from the normal eye of a Cameroonian keeping at side the Southern Cameroons agenda, Cameroon is a country that came as a result of English and French Cameroons. The French representation and English Representation should be equal because the English part was a country on its own that willfully joined the French. The appointment should have taken into considerations the bicultural state of the country. We cannot petition the non inclusion of certain tribes into appointments because Cameroon is made up of 250+ tribes. We can only petition if one tribe dominates and if one group of people are excluded, the group of people I mean French and English Cameroonian. That is the eye we are supposed to be looking.

Bamileke (Western Region) is part of French Cameroon and French Cameroon already has a bigger share of the appointments, the other Cameroon is lacking. If we start looking at tribes here, then it would not be feasible. Soon Manyu people, lebialem or Nso union would denounce. This is not suppose to be. Our concern should be that, English speaking journalists should have a fair share of the appointments, but not coming from a particular tribe or so. Of course we cannot have all tribes represented.

Appointments should be looked from the angle of English and French Cameroon while making sure one particular tribe is not dominated.

God is Still saying something.

Mark Bara.
7/sept/2015

The power of the South West: Why Biya can't let it go

It is common knowledge that the southern zone of Southern Cameroons aka South West Region is the economic basket of the Cameroons. The people are very observant and once they make a decision to support a course, they do it whole heartedly. They are very sensitive to betrayal that's why they hardly trust anyone, not even their brothers.

They are a very welcoming people, open-hearted and lovely. They know how to love and they believe so much in family values. They are friendly but are very sensitive to human rights, especially that of the girl child. They protect their women as gold. Yes, they are a proud people because they believe they deserve what they want

Their resources (SONARA) built the Presidency of  La Republique du Cameroun. Without them there is no Cameroons.

They are very careful in joining political movements or a party,  but once they do, they put in their best despite the odds for the movement to succeed. That's why CPDM has been buoyant in the region and more importantly under their leadership in the SCNC, the Southern Cameroons struggle made tremendous success. They harbour the capital of  the then German Kamerun and Southern Cameroons and held many conferences in the political history of the Cameroons.

They are an intelligent people, clean and stylish, love good food and speak impeccable English. They give a damn to culture because they believe all need to be equal. They treat their chiefs as equal. When they are pushed to the wall, they will fight and fight damning the odds.

The success of Southern Cameroons struggle and or change in the Cameroons will always need the people of the South West because they are very intelligent, gifted and have foresight in decision making. That is why a combination of the people of North West and South West in a united single movement will shake the Cameroons and bring the desired change we seek for.

Mark Bara-eta

Southern Zone
Manyu County
Southern Cameroons.

The power of the North West: Why is Biya regime so careful with NW?

It is common knowledge that the North West is the political heartbeat of Cameroon. The people are a no nonsense people. They are determined, hard work and always go for what they want despite the odds. They respect the culture, hierarchy, but if you mess up with them, they will get back to you. They are united in what they want to do and most importantly they love where they come from. They love their region and can do everything to die for it. Above all, most people from the North West ( Northern Zone of Southern Cameroons) speaks their local vernacular.

Just recently, the people of the North West cried foul on social media, radio, etc about the bad road that seemingly cut the province off from the rest of the Country. Reports say the Government has already started rehabilitation work worth 2billion CFA while waiting for the complete road project to be funded by the World Bank and African Development Bank at a sum of 119 billion CFAF ( If and only if it would be done). Indeed, when it comes to the North West, Biya seems very careful.

The more reason you will find more people from the Northern zones in SCNC and other restoration movements than the Southern zones and the more reason the opposition will win more in Northern zones than Southern zones and the more reason all major ultimatum to the government and conferences are held in North West.

While we the people of Southern Cameroons hold the government responsible for the neglect of infrastructural developments and projects within the Southern Cameroons, people from the northern zones always remain steadfast in their resolve to get things done.

When the North West boils, Cameroon shakes. The change that we seek in the Southern Cameroons and the Cameroons at large can only come from North West. They are the pace-setters. Start the pace and let the rest follow.

God is still saying something.

Bara Mark
Northern Zone
Bui County
Southern Cameroons.

Fru Ndi-Asonganyi Show Down: War of words

The former SDF Scribe, Prof Asonganyi last week in Bamenda during his book launch titled “Cameroon: Difficult Choices in a Failed Democracy.” received some harsh treatment from Ni John Fru Ndi, SDF Chair. Mr. Fru Ndi who accuses Prof Asonganyi of telling lies in his book promised to fight back. Highlights of the launch

Fru Ndi: Appearing visibly tense, feisty and very emotional took the floor during the launching of the book in Bamenda Wednesday, August 19 and asserted that facts are for posterity and therefore ought to be presented with accuracy and precision. He was very upset and vocally expressed anger that speaker after speaker at the event, even Asonganyi, the author, never acknowledged his presence only to later call him to unveil the book.

Fru Ndi: Fru Ndi focused on describing Asonganyi as a politician who lacked grassroots support.

Fru Ndi: “I left Bamenda and went with a delegation to the funeral of Asonganyi’s sister and waited for over 45minutes without seeing him. When I asked they told me he had gone to buy drinks. When I went to see him he was drinking a bottle of beer while the sister was lying on a bamboo bed and I asked Asonganyi if he found no SDF militant who could handle those errands for him,” Fru Ndi observed. Fru Ndi questioned how Asonganyi, (at the time he was Secretary General of the SDF) could have been the one going to buy drinks during the funeral of his sister if he had support at the base.

Fru Ndi: “I will be coming out with a book. I will respond to you in my book,” Fru Ndi said. “I never accused you of killing my wife, the interview I granted after my wife passed away has been published so people can read and know the truth,” he added. He, however, did not challenge any other aspect of the book but seemed worried when he fired at Asonganyi in this parabolic statement – “In a traditional dance,
people dance round and when you are tired you sit down and others continue. You don’t get tired and decide to burst the drum,” he told Asonganyi.

Enters Asonganyi...........

Asonganyi: Asonganyi after the event said  he did not acknowledge Fru Ndi because upon his arrival at the event, he (Asonganyi) went and extended a hand shake to Fru Ndi but he refused to take it, leaving his hand hanging. “How do I acknowledge him when I went to greet him and he refused taking my hand?” Asonganyi questioned.

Asonganyi: Ni John Fru Ndi used the statement he made before unveiling the book to make all types of disparaging statements about my person and my family! He probably felt that since issues about his wife – the late first lady of my former party – were discussed in my book, he had the liberty to talk about my late sister who was not even a member of the party. He unveiled the book alright, but took no copy.

Asonganyi: My sister’s remains “lying on a bamboo bed” is a reference to a woman of Fru Ndi’s fertile imagination! I do not think that any family in Lebialem still uses bamboo beds; talk less of laying your dear one in state on a bamboo bed! My sister was lying quietly in her grave when he arrived in our compound.

Asonganyi: Mr. Fru Ndi should know one thing: He is the one seeking to be President of Cameroon; for now, I am just an ordinary citizen trying my little best to ensure that our country is governed on a rational basis.

Finally Bara concludes: A friend of mine bought a copy of the book, now I am waiting for it to be delivered. I will read also...........

Story culled from Cameroon Journal.

SCAPO: From restoration movement to a political party

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Why it could be a positive development....

We were informed that SCAPO, one of the movement fighting for the independence of Southern Cameroons has been transformed to a political party known as Southern Cameroons Peoples Party. They intend to participate in all elections henceforth in the Cameroons. While this recent development has received mix feelings amongst Southern Cameroonians,Jack Fonyuy Lontum put his thoughts so clearly. He had this to say....

" There are various ways of fighting a defiant system by an organisation that has been stagnate for years with no reasonable way to penetrate a government that doesn't care about a certain group of people simply because of their origin. The transformation of SCAPO into a political party can undoubtedly legitimize the struggle, expand its overall scope; could serve as a vehicle for the mass mobilization of Southern Cameroonians, formalize local, divisional, regional and national rallies to publicize the marginalization of the people originating from these constituencies. Diplomatic missions, emissaries and members of the international community can become more aware of the unfiltered plight of Southern Cameroonians in the land of their ancestors. Whatever the case, the steadfastness of SCAPO leadership in standing firmly towards the adherence of its founding principles, is paramount to the success of the organisation in its new role......"this old wine in a new bottle role ." I am a pragmatist and not a pessimist. Let give this new role of SCAPO a chance and see what will come out of it. We are living in changing times and we need to change with changing circumstances".......

I think I agree very much with Jack's analysis.If such movement is allowed to preach the Southern Cameroons agenda as an inclusive nature in the Cameroons, it might weakened traditional parties in the North West and South West Regions. With this new waves of petitions from Southern Cameroonians, the transformation of the party may play a significant role. At the ends day, we have to be very watchful knowing the country we find ourselves and how typical Cameroonians are........

The dye is cast......
God is still saying something.

Ideological Racism and All Lives Matter Equation

Watching US Republican presidential contender Mike Huckabee on CNN, he believes Martin Luther King, Jr. would be “appalled” by the Black Lives Matter movement — telling CNN that racism is “more of a sin problem than a skin problem.” During an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday evening, the former Arkansas governor touted the “all lives matter” mantra and said he was troubled that the movement focuses on one ethnicity. Huckabee added that the late civil rights leader would feel the same

I disagree with Huckabee, racism is more of a skin problem than it is of sin problem and I believe if Martin Luther was alife today, he will support this movement.

Personally I think Huckabee is a confused Presidential candidate.He does not get it. Indeed, All Lives Matter. The Black Lives Matter Movement are not saying that All Lives Does Not Matter. What they are saying is that stop the injustice and indiscriminate killings of Black folks. We cannot be complaining about White Lives because it already matters. We can only complain about Black Lives which does not matter. If All Lives must matter then Black Lives, White Lives, Hispanic Lives etc must matter, once one of them is threatened, the equation is not balance. That is the idea of Black Lives Matter. We cannot start crying about White Lives when they are free and not subject to what Black people face. Mike Huckabee should shot up.

God is still saying something.

ENAM and Political Admission of Bike Riders

In an unprecedented and unusual move, one bike rider in Yaounde who sat for the 2015 session into Public Administration into ENAM has been admitted into the institution.Sodime Alain Leopold has been a career bike rider since 2009.

The association of Bike riders in Yaounde storm the office of ENAM to thank the administration. Hear them " We are here today to thank the administration of ENAM for giving the opportunity to one of ours to also get enrolled into this prestigious institution. We all know how difficult it is to gain admission here. The fact that one of ours with a poor family background has been able to enroll in the institution dismisses all the dirty opinions people have of the institution,” Fouda Robert, president of the Messamendongo Bike Riders’ Union told ENAM administration.

It is really funny on how bike riders will go along thanking the administration for letting one of them get admitted into ENAM. Is it that the administration specifically favoured him to make political gains against the institution or Mr Leopold deserve his entry? Do not get me wrong. Mr Leopold off course deserve his admission but for the bike association to thank ENAM administration it is what really wonders me. Is it how Cameroun has become so much so that groups need to thank administration if one of them gets admitted? I am very confident, this is a tacit plot by the ENAM administration to show to the world that entrance into the institution is largely on merit. God knows how much this poor bike rider must have paid before being admitted. I am confident the amount tagged him was far lesser due to the political gains the administration intended getting from him. Trust not the Biya regime. Yes, trust not.

Congrats Mr Leopold, enjoy your own cake soon.

God is still saying something.

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