October 1st Reflections: Biem Tong Challenges Cameroonian Unity in Bold Essay

October 1st holds deep symbolic significance for Southern Cameroons, a day that journalist Michel Biem Tong, currently based in Norway, chose to release his critical essay titled "Down with Hypocrisy".

In it, he boldly challenges the foundation of Cameroonian unity, questioning whether it has been built on truth and justice, or on a historical hypocrisy that fuels the country’s current instability.

Biem Tong’s reflections tie modern-day instability in Cameroon to how Southern Cameroons were incorporated into the Republic of Cameroon. According to him, the 1961 union, followed by the controversial 1972 referendum that dismantled the federal system, disregarded the will of the Anglophone population. Far from being a mutually agreed process, he describes this union as forced, imposed without fairly consulting the inhabitants of Southern Cameroons, now referred to as Ambazonians.

This union, he argues, sowed the seeds of tension that Cameroon is still grappling with today. The Anglophone crisis, separatist movements, state violence, and atrocities on both sides—all, according to Michel Biem Tong, stem from structural hypocrisy. The unification between 1961 and 1972 never truly respected the country’s cultural and historical diversity. As a result, Cameroon today is a fractured nation where peace remains elusive until the roots of the conflict are addressed honestly.

Biem Tong advocates for Cameroon to return to its historical realities, beginning with the recognition of the Republic of Cameroon from 1960 and Southern Cameroons as a distinct entity. He believes that the people of Southern Cameroons have the right to independence, just as Francophone Cameroonians achieved theirs in 1960. This quest for justice, he insists, should not be viewed as a threat to national stability but rather as a path to genuine and lasting peace.

The journalist emphasizes that recognizing the historical truth of October 1st, 1961, does not mean promoting division. Instead, it acknowledges that today’s Cameroon rests on fragile foundations. Such recognition would be the first step toward resolving the ongoing conflict. For him, peace can only emerge from true justice, and that justice cannot be achieved as long as Cameroonians refuse to confront their history.

Cameroon in 2024, marked by persistent tensions, would greatly benefit, according to Biem Tong, from addressing this issue head-on. October 1st, recognized by Ambazonians as their Independence Day, is more than a historical reminder. It is a symbol of broken promises, violated rights, and justice yet to be delivered.

For Biem Tong, ignoring this historical truth is to continue fueling division and perpetuating instability. He concludes by urging his fellow citizens to engage in honest reflection, as lasting peace can never be built on a denial of historical realities. If Cameroon is to move toward national reconciliation, it must first confront these buried truths and acknowledge the injustices committed. Only by building on justice and truth can peace be truly established—not just for Southern Cameroons, but for the entire country.