Politics
Two Cameroonian soldiers are reported dead during clashes with the notorious Boko haram terror group. The corpses of the two soldiers were handed to Cameroon on Monday, reports say. They were part of the multinational joint task force actively fighting the terrorists. The incident is believed to have occurred in the Sambisa forest in Nigeria, where the radical group is based.
This comes at a very crucial period in Cameroon. Tensions are mounting between security forces and Ambazonian separatists in Southern Cameroons, as the Anglophone struggle intensifies.
The political atmosphere looks pretty cloudy, with very little certainty over the fate of upcoming elections.
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- Rita Akana
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The President spends much of his time inside his sumptuous palace in Mvomeka, in the South of LA Republique Du Cameroun. This heaven of peace is a no go area for the natives who live in the neighborhood or in the environment. Mvomeka has become the epicenter of power and the fantasy of those who aspire to attend political power.
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- Rita Akana
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There is a prevailing narrative about the role of Western interests in trouble spots around the world, which is often premised on the need to watch out for and protect these interests when conflicts break out. These interests are generally related to resources to fuel industries (including minerals, oil, and gas), raw agricultural materials (coffee, cocoa, tea, rubber, and timber), and access to markets for finished goods (international waters, air space, and enabling governments). Western governments, especially the (former) colonial powers, are ever on the alert for any sign of trouble, so they can jump in and quash any terrorist threats that might surface.
This narrative stands in stark contrast to the crises which have prevailed in most sub-Sahara African nations since independence in the early 1960s—political transitions, ethnic conflicts, tribalism, wars, famine, and coup d’états.
Where does the current Southern Cameroons conflict fit within this prevailing narrative? The two former Anglophone regions (Northwest and Southwest) account for over 60% of the gross domestic product of what was called the Republic of Cameroon prior to the establishment of the new interim government on October 1, 2017. Cameroon’s oil is, therefore, located in the newly established Federal Republic of Ambazonia. A separation of the country would threaten Western interests in various ways: an end to French control of the resources, an attempt by other francophone African countries to replicate Ambazonia’s example, an impoverishment of the Republic of Cameroun (saddled with a public debt of $10.34 billion), an end to the Republic of Cameroun’s membership in the English Commonwealth, Ambazonia’s departure from the franc zone, a likely collapse of the franc zone in Central Africa (where Cameroon has the strongest economy), and more.
We may broaden the scope by also asking, “Where do Nigeria, the Republic of Cameroun, Chad, Niger, and Central African Republic fit within this narrative?” The northern Nigeria-Central African region have been a hotbed of terrorism à la Boko Haram for several years now—beginning in northeastern Nigeria and stretching into northern Cameroun and the other central African states. There’s oil in Chad, which is piped to the Atlantic Ocean through the Republic of Cameroun, so there’s western interest in ensuring its safe passage. Nigeria is an oil giant on the world stage and a member of OPEC (Organization of Oil-Producing Countries), producing 1.484 million barrels per day according to OPEC’s May 2017 Monthly Oil Market Report.
What about the other neighbors? The Central African Republic has been unstable since the overthrow of Jean-Bédel Bokassa in 1996, resulting in over 100,000 refugees fleeing rebel groups and armed gangs to Cameroon. By September 2017, a similar number of refugees had flocked into northern Cameroun from northeastern Nigeria, fleeing Boko Haram insurgents, who are also operating in Chad, Niger, and Mali. Paradoxically, over 70,000 southern Cameroonians have streamed into eastern Nigeria since October 2017 seeking refuge from Cameroun’s military onslaught.
Given these crises and scenarios, what are chances that Western nations would align with Ambazonia, an unknown, untested entity? Would the government be trusted to do the colonialist’s bidding? Would Ambazonia seek reparations from the West for economic dislocation since 1961? Would Ambazonia seek repayment from France of oil and agricultural revenues which have been stowed away in the French treasury as part of a pre-independence treaty with the Republic of Cameroun? Would Ambazonia seek repayment from other Western nations, including Switzerland, where Ahmadou Ahidjo (Cameroun’s first president) deposited money he squirreled away during his twenty-one-year dictatorship (1961-82)? Would Ambazonia go after Western countries for the assets of President Paul Biya and his family?
It has been convenient for the Republic of Cameroun to qualify its departing Southern Cameroons brothers and sisters as secessionists—convenient because the term is a misnomer. The Free Dictionary defines “secede” as follows: “to withdraw formally from membership in a state, union, or other political entity.” Since there was no legal basis for membership in the Republic of Cameroun (or an act of union), Southern Cameroons has merely reasserted its right of self-determination as a people by restoring its independence; it is not seceding. Catalonia, on the other hand, is trying to secede from Spain, as is Kurdistan from Iraq.
Without an act of union, Southern Cameroons is a victim, an orphan of the United Nations, which mismanaged its transition to independence. Following World War II, the United Nations asked Britain and France to guide Southern Cameroons and the Republic of Cameroun, respectively, towards self-government (Article 76, b). While France supposedly “let go” of its territory, Britain claimed Southern Cameroons was too weak to survive as a country. The United Nations, therefore, has an unfinished job of steering Southern Cameroons towards statehood. It is not comparable to Catalonia or Iraqi Kurdistan because SC has had an international personality from WWI through the Trusteeship Agreement and a strong UN independence vote in keeping with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514 on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples.
The consideration of Western interests adversely affected by these conflicts has played a key role in perpetrating the situation in the sub-region and, particularly, in Southern Cameroons. This may be explained by the deafening silence from President Paul Biya of the Republic of Cameroun to incessant calls worldwide to initiate dialogue with the Southern Cameroonians. He does not want to rock the boat or appear to concede sixty percent of Cameroun’s GDP to so-called secessionists who are the rightful owners of the natural resources.
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- Mola Eko
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Do not despair. It is what one young man told me this morning and then he added curiously: "we are winning". What are you winning? I retorted, to which he calmly whispered:"Our restoration". Then I moved from my neighborhood to another one and ran into a group of Anglophone Cameroonians. They were conversing and one identified me and asked: "have you heard the news?" I replied: I suppose it is about the arrest of AyukTabe". He nodded affirmatively and told me: "learn to call him President AyukTabe". Then he said: "They have just made matters worst like they did with the consortium".
As I left them and boarded a taxi for Akwa, I felt that, the youngman was correct. And before I could settle at the French cultural centre, I got a phone call from a friend who sounded defiant: "Good things don't come by easily". And she added: "Those people who were on the fence must now understand that Biya thinks his dialogue is long overdue". She concluded: "soon we will have a country where peace will reign and it will be one of the most prosperous".
Confused, I asked: "are you talking about this Cameroon?" She cried: "No! I am talking about Ambazonia". I didn't continue any further, I understood that what has happened in Nigeria is a kind of divine intervention to salvage this struggle from calapse.
Paul Biya has by default helped give a revolutionary creditial to AyukTabe. In the underworld, you become, a leader not only after having murdered an innocent person, but after going to jail. In politics, especially that which has to do with fighting against despots, it's synonymous gangster acts.
If you have not been arrested , harassed or go to jail, you are not respected. It was based on this background that, some people were contesting the leadership of AyukTabe. However, thanks to the maladroit gesture of Abuja and most importantly, Paul Biya, AyukTabe has crushed any revolt.
He will come out of custody with a new tag: arrested abroad. Sisiku AyukTabe can say thank you to Paul Biya, but he has always been an ally of Anglophone nationalists. In 1984, he used his pen to create Fon Gorgi Dinka and now through his gauche act , he has put fuel in the tanks of restoration movements and more, Unite them.
If after reading the above you still have doubts that Paul Biya is an ally, albeit by default to the Ambazonian course, then I don't know what else to say or write in order to to convince you.
Elie Smith
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- Ellie Smith
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If there is anyone doubting, my questions are simply: Did anyone watch TV yesterday? Or did anyone read cover of some French language newspapers today?
The hosts and participants of two TV programmes yesterday, one in Yaounde and the other in Douala, exuded hatred with intoxicating analysis that will negatively stick in the brain of most Anglophones and moderate Francophones, and this to a point where, when time comes for hand washing or forgiveness, it will be difficult for Anglophones to pardon or accept their apologies.
I won't name and shame those two television stations that without shame excels in the propagation of falsehood, profanities, simply because their sponsors are those in power. But there's always something good in bad situations. The hosts and participants in both TV stations have contributed in making the world know that, Southern Cameroonian leaders in Nigeria can't be extradited to Yaounde.
How possible that in this 21st century people could go on air and call for public execution of fellow human beings and go unscathed? As for those print media celebrating, via their writing we all know their sources of finance.
But how can some Francophones call for the masacre of Anglophone Cameroonians, call them dogs and cockroaches and at the same time, call them their compatriots? Contradictory. But they are used to such gymnastics. They will denounce things in Ivory coast or Gabon, but accept them in Cameroon. Some Francophones have for too long minimise Anglophones because the second are law abiding and meek. They mistook meekness for weaknesses. Now , they are shocked and awed by the reaction of a people they considered as their slaves.
To all joyful Francophones, I have bad news for you, AyukTabe and his team among which there's a woman, Novala Bih ,won't be extradited. Do you know why? Because, there is no extradition treaty between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Finally, AyukTabe and his team were not arrested because of the dubious international Arrest Warrant, but because of other reasons whose veracity and authenticity is under review.
If you love someone, you don't wish him/her dead as I have been reading on social media or in print and electronic media.
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- Ellie Smith
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Today barely a day after the false euphoria generated by the alleged arrest of the Interim President of Ambazonia and some of his cabinet members, a three days ghost towns was declared and sumptuously respected across the towns and cities across Southern Cameroon's.
This frightened losing state of LA Republique Du Cameroun got pissed up because it exposed the lies that the regime had fabricated and announced to the world by their propaganda and lies telling CRTV, that calm and normalcy has returned after all the noise of the agitators.
Its effectiveness and its effervesce was mesmerising and awesome to behold. Even birds, the sun, clouds and weather were in perfect harmony and had a rendezvous with the ghost town.
The sun looked sober and dull looking, a perfect reflection of the gloom and despair that has held the populace hostage for the past two years.
Even the songs of the sweet melodious larks that sing sun rise songs didn't sing with their enchanting flay and dexterous dexterity.
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- Rita Akana
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Subcategories
Biya Article Count: 73
# Paul Biya and his regime
Explore the political landscape of Cameroon under the rule of Paul Biya, the longest-serving president in Africa who has been in power since 1982. Our Paul Biya and his regime section examines the policies, actions, and controversies of his government, as well as the opposition movements, civil society groups, and international actors that challenge or support his leadership. You'll also find profiles, interviews, and opinions on the key figures and events that shape the political dynamics of Cameroon.
Southern Cameroons Article Count: 549
.# Southern Cameroons, Ambazonia
Learn more about the history, culture, and politics of Ambazonia, the Anglophone regions of Cameroon that have been seeking self-determination and independence from the Francophone-dominated central government. Our Southern Cameroons section covers the ongoing conflict, the humanitarian crisis, the human rights violations, and the peace efforts in the region. You'll also find stories that highlight the rich and diverse heritage, traditions, and aspirations of the Southern Cameroonian people.
Editorial Article Count: 885
# Opinion
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