By Chief A.S. Ngwana* The verdict of the SCNC Versus La Republique du Cameroun by the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights is so important that we consider it a great victory for the English Speaking people of British Southern Cameroon/West Cameroon. The outside World has been informed and alerted as to the injustices and marginalization, the betrayals, the people of British Southern Cameroon/West Cameroon have suffered since the abolition of the Federal Republic of Cameroon . Quote’ “215.
The African Commission therefore recommends as follows:
1. That the Respondent State (La Republic du Cameroun):
(i) abolish all discriminatory practices against people of Northwest and Southwest Cameroon ……..
(ii) Stop the transfer of accused persons from the Anglophone Provinces for trial in the Francophone Provinces;
(iii) Ensure that every person facing criminal charges be tried under the language he/she understands.
(iv) Locate national projects, equitably throughout the country, including Northwest and Southwest Cameroon .
(v) Pay compensation to companies in Northwest and Southwest Cameroon , which suffered as a result of discriminatory treatment by banks;
(vi) Enter into constructive dialogue with the Complainants, and in particular, SCNC and SCAPO ( Southern Cameroons National Council, and the Southern Cameroons peoples Organization) to resolve the constitutional issues, as well as grievances which could threaten national unity; and (vii) Reforms the Higher Judicial Council…
2 To the Complainants, and SCNC and SCAPO in particular;
(i) to transform into political parties,
(ii) to abandon secessionism and engage in constructive dialogue with the Respondent State on the constitutional issues and grievances”
3 The African Commission places its good offices at the disposal of the parties 4 The African Commission requests the Parties to report on the implementation of the aforesaid recommendations within 180 days.
As you can see from the above, the recommendations are a great victory for us who actually voted for unification, and for the Cameroon Democratic Party/Cardinal Democratic Party, and for all West Cameroon political parties. We have never supported violent secession but have advocated a return to FEDERALISM, and have condemned marginalization, betrayal, and abuse of unification. So the recommendations are in keeping with our aspirations. However we must admit that there are some legal issues which the UN did not complete when it gave independence to British Southern Cameroon .
The SCNC and some West Cameroon radicals opted for secession to stop the abuses and unjust treatment of British Southern Cameroonians/West Cameroonians by La Republic du Cameroun , East Cameroun , the former French Speaking Cameroun .
We voted to join our brothers, in good faith. We wanted to build One prosperous, United, Indissoluble and Indivisible Sovereign State . But that faith has been betrayed and abused.
We voted to unify on the understanding that we would operate a Federal Structure, in which we will live in a mighty, united, economically strong Cameroon Nation; guaranteeing all citizens of every race and religion, inalienable and civic rights, equal opportunities and respect for the bicultural character of our people.
We voted on the understanding that unification would be based on Equality of States, and Unity in Diversity.
The 1961 Federal Constitution protected the interests of Anglophone Cameroonians. It was illegally and unjustly abolished by the dominating French Speaking Cameroon government and a Unitary System of government, which operates in favour of the French Speaking Cameroonians, was imposed. Since the abolition of the Federation in 1972, some radical Anglophones have sorted unsuccessfully to redress the abuses by declaring unilaterally Independent Anglophone States.
Anglophones have suffered marginalization and reduced to second class citizens. The territory has been treated like a colony of the Francophone La Republique du Cameroun.
For 49 years no Anglophone has been allowed to be President of Cameroon. For 49 years no Anglophone has been allowed to hold any key ministry in Cameroon ; the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, Ministry Territorial Administration etc. The Anglophones have been reduced to second class citizen in this union.
The Anglophone State ( West Cameroon ) has suffered seriously economically. La Republic du Cameroun, abolished the Marketing Board, the Cameroon Bank, Closed Powercam. Closed the Tiko Airport , The Tiko Sea Port , The Victoria/Limbe Sea Port, the Mamfe (Bessong Abang) Air Port , The Bamenda ( Bali Air Port ). Neglected the Victoria/Limbe Nkambe road making it impassable.
Administratively, the majority of Anglophones occupy the position of “adjont Ministre, adjont directeur etc” or what you call deputy Minister, deputy director etc.
Globally the only type of government workable in a multicultural, multiethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious society, is Federalism (the United States of America , Canada , Nigeria etc) That is why the United Nations gave British Southern Cameroons Independence to join with La Republic du Cameroun on the basis of Federalism. Federalism is the best type of government for Cameroon .
Centralization is the worst type of government for Cameroon as has been proved from our experience since 1972.
The importance of the Anglophone problem cannot be over- emphasize because it borders on the unity and corporate existence of Cameroon as one country.
We must therefore intensify our struggle against reactionary forces of oppression, suppression, repression, discrimination, marginalization, intimidation, corruption, tribalism, sectarianism, nepotism, tyranny and anarchy by La Republique du Cameroun.
The recommendations of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights must be seen as a great success for Anglophones. We hope that the Commission will help Southern Cameroon (Northwest and Southwest) to redress these abuses peacefully.
In view of the importance of the Anglophone Problem, I would like to reproduce here a detailed treatment of this problem and the solutions offered in the address the Chairman of the CDP, gave to the AAC2 Conference in Bamenda, 29th April 1994 to May 1994. quote
It is my pleasure, privilege and honour to address this august gathering on a matter which is dearest to my heart and to the hearts of all Anglophone Cameroonians, at home and in the Diaspora.
On behalf of my humble self, and on behalf of all the sons and daughters of Anglophone Cameroon, I thank the ALL ANGLOPHONE CONFERENCE (AAC) organizers for providing our people this cherished opportunity to discuss open-hearted this matter that is of common interest to us as Anglophones.
We as a people with one blood and one destiny salute the AAC standing Committee on this unique occasion of AAC2. We are gathered again to re-visit the issue of the overdue constitutional reforms in our Nation with the solemn determination to chart a solid, and all-weather road to our self-determination.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I was highly delighted to read that the theme of AAC2 Conference is THE ROAD TO PEACEFUL SELF-DETERMINATION, which dutifully presupposes that all of us here gathered on behalf of our people are in search of that road that will guarantee them peaceful self-determination which we have earlier agreed that it is a must. May the wording of the Conference theme lead us to fruitful deliberations and discussions.
OUR POLITICAL PAST
Ladies and Gentlemen permit me therefore to cast a few retrospective glances on our journey towards peaceful self-determination.
Our political history is textbook case which provides compelling reading to any interested persons. We of the CAMEROON DEMOCRATIC PARTY (CDP), have gone into it at some considerable length in our publication – The First Five Years 1983-1988, currently in circulation all over the country
We embarked on this publication, just as I am now about to glance through our political journey towards peaceful self-determination, to sensitize the Anglophones in particular and Cameroonians at large, on our political past. This with a view to educate our people, our Nation and the world on where we came from, our present political conditions, aspirations and prospects for our future as a Nation.
My beloved Countrymen and women, our African adage postulates that an adult knows his friends but may require some other person to tell him/her, his or her relations.
Before the invasion of Africa by the Europeans, what today is known as Cameroon (Francophone/Anglophone) was one interdependent, multicultural, mutually respecting, socially interacting, self-sustaining people with one destiny.
North or South, East or West, Cameroonians saw themselves as ONE, lived in peace as one, and no tribe tried to dominate the others. All tribes were equal.
Then came the Europeans into the continent and our people were subjugated and colonized. At the Berlin Conference of 1884, the Europeans put paid to their savage and devious act – THE PARTITION OF AFRICA, and Cameroon became the property of the Germans.
Our consent was not demanded nor was it of any consequence.
On the defeat of the Germans in 1916, Cameroon this time became the butt of another balkanization between two new masters – the French and the British. Thus began the departure of ONE NATION, ONE DESTINY for Cameroonian people.
Under this new tutelage our pathway to independence was not even. The French Cameroon (Francophones) fought the French and achieved their independence by violence and bloodshed. The British Cameroonians (Anglophones) achieved their independence through dialogue and the democratic process. NO BLOODSHED.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I purposefully took a ride into our political journey towards peaceful self-determination to refresh our minds that we the Anglophones as a people have an enviable political culture and heritage of non-violence, dialogue and respect for the democratic process in our overriding quest for self-determination.
We are, and have always been a peace-loving people and we believe in peaceful solution to our problems, no matter the nature. However, this by no means, does not give any mortal on this planet, the right to take our people, their interests, their political aspirations and goals for granted. Our people have never failed the call for bravery, as our historical past can bear testimony.
We love peace but we also love to defend our inalienable and civic rights when they are trampled upon with unpardonable disregard.
UNIFICATION
Why did we (Anglophone Cameroonians) become part of Francophone Cameroon , a territory we had been cut off from for more than 40 years, and not part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , a territory we had been united with for more than 40 years?
Southern Cameroon was administered as part of Nigeria by the British Government. The democratic process was well developed in Southern Cameroons and the Plebiscite Elections there were fair and free. However this was not the case in British Northern Cameroons . Although the British Government wanted very much that British Cameroon should become part of Nigeria on independence, they succeeded in getting Northern Cameroon, (later Sardauna Province ) integrated into the Federal Republic of Nigeria .
Fellow brothers and sisters, why did we of Southern Cameroons overwhelmingly vote to join the Republic of Cameroon on a mere promise of Federation rather than remain with the devil we knew – the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with which we shared a common political culture? I crave your indulgence to refresh our memories with some of the reasons:
1. Southern Cameroons enjoyed reasonable autonomy in the Nigerian Federation, it had its own House of Assembly and a House Chiefs, like the other three regions of Nigeria . It was well represented in the Federeal House in Lagos and had Federal Ministers like Fon Mukete and Hon.S.T. Muna. However tribal politics between the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC) and the Action Group (AG) soon alienated the Cameroons , leading to the famous declaration of “Neutrality in Nigerian Politics,” by our leaders.
2. The Ibos and Yorubas, the two prominent tribes in Nigeria replaced the British in all important post in the civil service and corporations in Southern Cameroon . A situation which was inimical to the very economic survival of Southern Cameroon .
3. Nigerians dominated all business opportunities in Southern Cameroon, Thereby causing a lot of resentment among Southern Cameroonians
4. Southern Cameroon was quite small in the Federation of Nigeria , consequently there was that fear of being “swamped by Nigeria ” after independence.
5. Southern Cameroonians were Cameroonians and not Nigerians. The majority of Southern Cameroonians did not speak or understand Nigerian languages. Although almost all Southern Cameroon leaders were educated in Nigeria , they did not see themselves as Nigerians.
6. Furthermore, Southern Cameroonians enjoyed all democratic rights like Nigerians, they could own property and do all kinds of business like Nigerians.
To put the historical record in its balanced perspective, it is pertinent to highlight also that:
1. Southern Cameroonians required visas and passports to travel to French Cameroon (The Republic of Cameroon ).
2. The majority of Southern Cameroonians did not speak or understand French.
3. The Legal, the political and educational systems of Southern Cameroons were different from those of the Republic of Cameroon . Southern Cameroons operated a parliamentary system while the Republic of Cameroon was on the Presidential system. The legal and educational systems were English on the one part and French on the other part.
4. Southern Cameroon had about one third the population of the Republic of Cameroon, so there was no danger of being “swamped by the Republic of Cameroon” so the fear of economic marginalization was more on the Nigerian side than on the Republic of Cameroon side.
5. Although the majority of Southern Cameroonians do not speak French, they speak some ethnic languages as the people of the Republic of Cameroon . To be precise, the Anglophone Bamilekes and the Francophone Bamilekes have a common language. The Nsos and the Bamouns are of common origin, so also are the Ngembas of Santa and Mbouda and Bafousam. The Bangwas and Dschang, the Anglophone and Francophone Mbos, and the Bakweris and Doualas; who are of common stock. This factor explains why our prominent leaders like Foncha, Muna, and Ntumazah were at home with their Bamilike counterparts across the Mungo, while Endeley of blessed memories and Fon Mukete were at home with the Doualas, Soppo Priso, Dr. Eyidi Bebe, to mention a few.
6. The Government of the Republic of Cameroon was most undemocratic, oppressive and brutal. Opposition parties were either banned or harassed out of existence or forced to go underground. Human rights were non-existent. An indefinite state of emergency was enforced on the population to prop up an autocratic regime.
Fellow Cameroonians, looking at the horrible political situation in the Republic of Cameroon and the terrorism that raged there at the time of the plebiscite, one could never have expected us to vote for UNIFICATION.
Why then did we vote massively for unification?
Well, Southern Cameroonians are Cameroonians and the people of the Republic of Cameroon are Cameroonians. We voted to join OUR BROTHERS across the Mungo. It was just a question of “BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER”. As brothers, as Cameroonians, we desired to live together with our kith and kin.
So fellow Countrymen and women, this puts to rest the unsubstantiated far-fetched accusations of a sell-out by the uniformed new generation, levied against our political sagacious Founding Fathers who accepted the option of unification on higher motives than tribal or sectional interests.
OUR DISENCHANTMENT AND GRIEVANCES.
After thirty years of re-unification what has changed?
1. The Federation, the basis of reunification was unconstitutionally abolished.
2. The Cameroon National Union (CNU) government of Ahidjo, and the Cameroons People Democratic Movement (CPDM) government of Biya have remained oppressive and corrupt as at the time of unification.
3. Southern Cameroonians, our own kith and kin from the very inception of unification have held and still hold important positions in the oppressive Governments, even if only in symbolic terms.
4. What has not changed is the fact that we are still Cameroonians. Francophones and Anglophones with a common destiny as demonstrated by the 1992 presidential elections in which the Francophones sent a clear message to the incumbent government by voting massively for John Fru Ndi, an Anglophone to the bewilderment of President Paul Biya, a Francophone.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we must not confuse the actions of oppressive and corrupt Governments, Governments composed of both Francophones and unfortunately Anglophones, with the cordial relations between Anglophones and Francophones.
Our fight, our struggle is not against Francophones but against the oppressive CNU/CPDM governments of Ahidjo/Biya, which have denied us our fundamental rights and frustrated our political, economic and social aspirations. Governments which have reduced us to second class citizens, and are hell-bent on keeping us there. We unified on the understanding that we would operate a Federal Structure, in which we will live in a mighty , united, economically strong Cameroon Nation; Guaranteeing all citizens of every race and religion, inalienable and civic rights, equal opportunities and respect for the bicultural character of our people.
We voted for unification with our eyes wide open. We knew the problems ahead and the difficulties involved and we were prepared to face them, and determined to solve them. We were resolved to introduce democracy and good government in Cameroon , to defend human rights and the rule of law and insure economic prosperity for Cameroon . This we have not yet achieved.
My dear Fellow Cameroonians, our task now is to throw into the dustbin of history this undemocratic, corrupt and spineless government and return to the basis of Unification, that is the re-establishment of an Anglophone State .
OUR CURRENT POLITICAL TASK
Fellow brothers and sisters, we all are committed to the rapid realization of this Anglophone State of our dream and desire. Is there any one amongst us here, today who is against an Anglophone State ?
Yes, I can see nobody. I thank God that today at AAC2, we the good people of Southern Cameroon have resolved and it is hereby resolved that we must demand and have an Anglophone State of our dream.
There is no compromise on this political destiny. It is our destiny that we be a State. It is ordained that we must have one, and no human force can indefinitely prevent its realization rather it can only delay it. The choice between us as a people today is whether this Anglophone State is to be:
(1) A Federal Anglophone State within a Cameroonian Nation, or
(2) An Independent Sovereign Nation on its own.
Mr. Chairman, Your Royal Highness, Your Grace, Your Excellencies, Honorable Members, Chiefs, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, This august assembly must recognize that there exists two-schools of thought about this crucial choice facing us as a people. The proponents of each alternate choice must be allowed and protected to articulate, present and defend the realization of its avouched choice. Our people at home, whom we represent, must know what we want them to enter into and how they are to enter into it. They must be part of decision-making process so that what-ever emerges as the choice will be accepted as the peoples’ verdict.
Having said that I want to put on record that my Party the Cameroon Democratic Party and my humble self endorse that AAC devote all its energy to the realization of an Anglophone State that is within the Federation of Cameroon: A Federated Anglophone State.
Although our stand is unequivocal, our Party is not unmindful of the fact that no one of us can without Divine assistance, prophetically nail down which of the options will eventually be the lot of our people. The simple reason being that President Paul Biya and his oligarchy can by their foolhardy omission or commission bring about one or the other. So too, any student of political history can venture to predict that President Paul Biya may learn a good lesson from President Fredrick DeKlerk of South Africa and call for abolition of the Unitary System
THE ROAD TO OUR SELF-DETERMINATION
Fellow Countrymen and women, we are all gathered here today determined that Anglophone Cameroonians must cast away the yoke of neo-colonial servitude, second class citizenship, oppression and suppression and be a race with a political, social and economic future, guaranteeing equal opportunity and civic and inalienable rights.
Yes it is well understood and the time is up for us to stand up for our rights. We must do this now or never. But we must also be matured, visionary, diplomatic, strategic in planning and opportunistic in reading unfolding world events and the events within and around us as a nation.
We must be patient with time, we must not burn our fingers in our political rage, nor ruin the future by irrational, impulsive or amateurish behavior thereby jeopardizing our peoples lives and political destiny. We have a mission to liberate our people but let us not in mad rush end up enslaving them the more by making unpardonable mistakes as we are the joint-captains for the people political Ship.
We must be prepared to learn, from history, from the past successes and failures of others who have liberated or failed to liberate their people. The world is a university and every one of us is a student. The road to self-determination can be peaceful and non-violent. But it is always tortuous and sometimes exasperating. It requires painstaking planning and meticulous execution. At the end the outcome is rewarding NO RUSH
On the other hand it could be violent and blood-letting. It could be quick by proclamation like UDI (Unilateral Declaration of Independence) in Southern Rhodesia now called Zimbabwe or in Biafra in – in Nigeria, and it does not out-live time and does bring untold hardship.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted that the wise organizers of AAC2 have chosen as the Conference theme – THE ROAD TO PEACEFUL SELF-DETERMINATION. So our way to self-determination compellingly must be peaceful and successful.
Now let us attempt to answer the question before us
Which of these two options as of today namely:
1) Anglophone State within a Federation of Cameroon Nation, OR
(2) An Independent Sovereign Anglophone State/Nation,
Will achieve the theme of AAC2 – The road to peaceful self-determination.
The answer is obviously an Anglophone State in a Unified Cameroon Federation. WHY
My beloved people, our Party – Cameroon Democratic Party, of which by the grace of God, I am the Founder Chairman, would not mind to reiterate once again the fact that a peaceful self-determination for Southern Cameroon is in conformity with our KNOWN and REVERED political culture and heritage of non—violence, dialogue and respect for Democratic processes. Our Founding Fathers gained on 1st October 1961 political independence for the state of West Cameroon (formerly Southern Cameroon or British Cameroon ) using non-violent political strategy.
The African National Congress (ANC) of Dr. Nelson Mandela, in South Africa is about to gain independence from evil Minority Rule through dialogue as a major modus operandi. So, fellow compatriots, the AAC must succeed also on non-violence stance. The advocacy of an Independent Sovereign Anglophone Nation is a call for secession. Every Nation, no matter how weak or small, once sovereign, regards its sovereignty as sacrosanct and defends it to the last drop of blood.
If Southern Cameroon attempts to secede, of course every right thinking mortal, would expect the incumbent President of the Country, Paul Biya to descend on Southern Cameroonians with the might of the Cameroon Army to crush mercilessly the political revolt.
Who amongst us here wants a pogrom for Southern Cameroonians ? What offence have our beloved countrymen and women, young and old, committed that the political class gathered here should visit them with such mayhem?
Ladies and Gentlemen, a call for an Independent Sovereign Southern Cameroon is a call for secession. A call for secession is a call for annihilation of Southern Cameroon as a race, or at best a call for civil war in Cameroon . Are we as a people prepared for such a sacrifice as has been the case with the massacre in Vietnam, Cambodia, Angola, Mozambique, Somalia, Liberia, Eritrea, Rwanda, Burundi, Chad, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yemen, Afghanistan, Chechnya to mention just a few? Is such a bloodbath necessary now, for our political, economic and social aspirations? To be a refugee in a strange land, or to be politically, economically and socially marginalized in one’s country, which is more painful?
Fellow Cameroonians, please put on your thinking caps, for secession is fire and no adult plays with blazing unnecessary fire. Fire burns if you play with it! The world, modern historians will tell us, is now moving towards the aggregation of independent sovereign states into larger political unions like the European Community (EEC). Nationalism now gives way to amalgamated regional political nationhood.
What is more, with the disintegration of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ( USSR ) and the Confederation of Yugoslavia , and their attendant, or resultant political problems, no Super or Medium Power in Global Politics will be willing to preside or support the dismemberment of any African Country. To secede without a strong foreign support is tantamount to committing political, economic, social and human suicide.
Proponents of an Independent Sovereign Anglophone State should be magnanimous enough to confide in us here, who their foreign backers are. They may come up with stories of success of Bangladesh seceding form Pakistan Nation.
Have we deeply studied the Military parameters that gave rise to such success? Pakistan is on the Western border of India while Bangladesh is to East. India supported Bangladesh secession and this confronted Pakistan with insurmountable military logistics thus leading to the breakaway territory of Bangladesh success. But even at that, what was the cost of this success to Bangladesh people? No war leaves the people as they were before the war started. This is true for both the Victor and the Vanquished.
Now, what about those people who failed: South Americans, Biafran Rebels of Nigeria , Katanga rebels in Zaire ? Let us take a close look at our neighbors in Nigeria , how they prepared and still they failed. Before the secession, the mass killing and counter-killing in Nigeria created the alienation of the Eastern-Nigerians particularly the majority tribe – the Ibos.
The general sense of insecurity forced the Ibos to flee from their various places of residence in Nigeria to their birthplace in the East. By subtle act, the people asked that Non-Easterners, Nigerians Soldiers and civilians leave their territory and that was done. Concomitantly they asked that soldiers of Eastern origin be released to go back to the East where they claimed their security was guaranteed. The Federal government of Nigeria granted the secessionists request and Biafra inadvertently had its own army.
Mr. Emeka Ojukwu – then Colonel, and leader of the secessionist Biafra – seized Federal Assets and Revenue, and was able to sustain his dream nation by paying workers’ wages and salaries and running the Biafran economy up to the time they were able to print Biafran currency.
Now Ladies and Gentlemen, which of these factors are on the ground now in Southern Cameroon ? If you Anglophone men and women in government and private sector in Francophone Cameroon are patriotically summoned home never to return to Francophone Cameroon , will you oblige? Have we an army? What do we do to the Cameroon troops in our midst in Southern Cameroon . Let us stop kidding with fire. With such an elaborate planning Biafra failed, what fate awaits unplanned secession by Southern Cameroonians ?
The qualities of good leaders compel and impel us to lead our people with the truth and not with negative radicalism. Charismatic leadership is a situational leadership that holds out such a leader as thorough master of the political terrain. Our political situation does not call for war yet but political dialogue bedded in astute diplomacy to achieve the desired aspirations, and every other aspirations will follow suit. The road to peaceful self-determination is the theme of this AAC2. We have ratified our choice and resolved to pursue it with stern determination. Our choice is an Anglophone State in a Cameroon Federal structure.
Thank goodness, Ladies and Gentlemen, the proponents of an Independent Sovereign Anglophone State were bold enough to call it a “Zero Option”. A Zero-option, my fellow brothers and sisters is arrived at in the history of a people when all the existing potential political opportunities open to the people in question in their political journey are exhausted and the court of world conscience certifies so.
Can we say to the world’s conviction that all political opportunities available to us as a people have been exhausted? No! No! No! It is true that the bobby political opium, the open-ended political debate on the National Conference and the Constitution is a time-killer and a smoke screen that will give the Southern Cameroonians no-relief. We must be politically matured enough to evolve other creative ways and means to force Mr. Biya’s hand.
A Zero option is always an imposed option or choice. We are a peace loving people but determined to up-hold the political goals of our people and we have to do so by resisting playing into the wicked hands of an authoritarian regime. The ball is on the court of President Paul Biya. He has the opportunity like Mr. F.W. De Klerk of South Africa , to write his name in gold in the political history of our country by returning the country once again to Federalism.
Only the return to a Federal Structure will guarantee permanent peace in Cameroon .
But if he allows his political fumbling and amateurism to impose a zero option on our people, then Ladies and Gentlemen, our people’s bravery will be called to test (but God forbid). Then we, as a people will cross that bridge when we are compelled to do so.
Now, Ladies and Gentlemen before I round up my address I will plead, because I have taken up much of your time, to allow me draw your attention to the political opportunity created by the Bakassi crisis between our country and our long-time friendly neighbor – Nigeria
Protagonists of peaceful self-determination would want every Southern Cameroonian to believe that a political opportunity for secession or zero option exists. This is far from the truth, Yes, a political opportunity exists, as well as a political danger. We must not play into the destructive hands of an oppressive regime which is prepared to do to us what was done to the Native Americans or to Aborigines of Australia , because of black gold.
Yes, an opportunity truly exists but this opportunity does not call for secession but for intensive pressure on Paul Biya’s regime for Southern Cameroon Self-determination based on Foumban Accord – A Federated State of Southern Cameroon .
Our urgent political task therefore, Ladies and gentlemen, is the rapid translation of the existing political opportunity into an enabling environment compelling President Biya to dialogue with Southern Cameroon leaders on our self-determination goal and that is the abolition of the unitary system in favour of federalism.
We call on our brothers, the Francophones and friends of Cameroon as well, to bring pressure to bear on Baul Biya to adopt a Federal Constitution. Details of this constitution can be worked out in a Constitutional Conference using the draft Federal Constitution submitted to the government in 1983, by the Cameroon Democratic Party and the AAC Standing Committee in 1993 and any other proposals that could serve as a basis for discussions.
We expect a new FEDERAL CONSTITUTION to be out before the federal elections. The New Federal Constitution need not be based on two states as in the 1961 Constitution but could be based on a Four States Structure. This was proposed by the CDP in 1983 and confirmed by the Father of Unification Dr. J,N, Foncha in his inview with Le Messager, Vol. 1V No. 013, Wednesday, 13 April 1994. “We are even ready to accept a ten State Federation if such a proposal is viable and generally supported,”
The Cameroon Democratic Party is fully committed to the unity of Cameroon on a Federal structure. We fully support the aspirations of the Anglophones to live in harmony and peace with their Francophone brothers in a Federal Republic . We condemn the Government of President Biya for jeopardizing the unity of Cameroon by delaying the Federal Constitution. We appeal to friends of Cameroon and all lovers of Democracy to join us in this constitutional battle. The unity of Cameroon is at stake.
OUR MODUS OPERANDI
Distinguished delegates and fellow brothers and sisters, how do we go about executing this task, in the face of insensitive leaders that have persistently played deaf, dumb and blind to the demands for political change. Sensationalism is not one of our modus operandi.
The first condition for this operation is a united front. We must Endeavour to speak with one voice once the common political objective has been identified, and to that end let me proffer a few suggestions.
CREATION OF A UNITED FRONT.
A need urgently exists to put in place a reputable United Front to serve as the voice of the Southern Cameroonians with clear mandate. It should not be modeled after the Ancient Greek parliament where membership was automatic by place of birth. Membership should be representative, grassroots oriented and should represent all shades of interests, opinions professions and must not be schemed to radicalism or conservatism. The quality and caliber of its membership should command respect within and without the country. It must remain non-partisan and non-religious.
A unified and standardized document containing details of Southern Cameroon ’s case (grievances and political, economic, social, cultural and religious goals) has to be produced for world-wide circulation. The Anglophone Draft Constitution, should be vetted, and presented to the United Front and if adopted by 2/3 majority, becomes instantly the Southern Cameroon version of the Constitution, and the bargaining mandate for our leaders with the Government.
Having said this, Ladies and Gentlemen, my Party, The Cameroon Democratic Party invites the AAC to make common cause with us in realization of an Anglophone State within the Federation of Cameroon . An Anglophone Constitutional Conference Delegation should be empanelled now and kept on standby, for call at short notice.
MOBILIZATION OF SOUTHERN CAMEROONIANS
We thankfully notice that the level of political awareness among our people has risen significantly since the inception of AAC. But we must admit that this level is grossly inadequate to produce rural and urban grassroots politically conscious men and women ever able to stand-up against any political challenges, ever able to defend their rights and political goals in any given circumstances. Intensive and extensive propaganda aimed at indoctrinating the citizens of Southern Cameroon is the sine-qua-non for the realization of our political, economic and social aspirations.
Our people must know their political rights and be prepared to defend them at all cost. A program of action to mobilize those who in turn will energize Southern Cameroon polity and political wisdom, wizardry and total commitment to the political course must be put in place.
The United Front must as a matter of urgency, mobilize support for FEDERALISM from all political parties in Cameroon . Any political party or pressure group that does not support a Federal Constitution must be considered an enemy of Anglophone aspirations and interests. Accordingly, serious campaign must be mounted against such political parties or pressure groups. Anglophones in such political parties or groups should resign immediately. No Anglophone should be voted for in any election if he/she does not support Federalism.
All traditional rulers and elder statesmen should be canvassed for their support. Educational institutions should be mobilized and educated on the merits and importance of federalism. Trade, tribal, and social unions should be co-opted and transformed into mobilization organs.
DIALOGUE WITH BIYA
Well represented delegations consisting of Elder Statesmen, Fons, Chiefs and United Front Delegates should make a representation to the President of the Republic of Cameroon on the urgency of a federal constitution. The same delegation should meet leaders of political parties, Elder Statesmen and pressure groups in all the eight Francophone provinces, on our uncompromising stand on Federalism.
A time frame for the Constitutional Conference must be obtained from President Biya’s regime now and rigidly kept to. Let us pray that President Paul Biya will learn a lesson from Frederich DeKlerk of South Africa and call for abolition of the oppressive unitary system in Cameroon .
WORLD SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT
Paid adverts should be inserted in the Cameroon Radio, Television, and prominent newspapers. Where funds are available, trips composing of the above mentioned delegations should be sponsored abroad to important friends of Cameroon who can exert diplomatic and economic pressure on President Paul Biya to adopt a Federal Constitution. These friends should include France , Great Britain , USA , Nigeria , Canada , Germany , etc.
May God bless Cameroon and spare it from chaos, anarchy and doom.
Long live AAC.
Long live CDP.
Long live Cameroon .
A.S. NGWANA
National Chairman, CDP.”
NB :I delivered this address nearly 15 years ago, and today we of the Cameroon Democratic Party/Cardinal Democratic Party still hold the same view that a Federation is the only quick and bloodless solution to the Anglophone Problem.
Chief A.S. Ngwana*,
National Chairman ,
Cardinal Democratic Party, CDP
Cel. +237 77757173
Email; ngwanasamba@yahoo.com
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