Cameroon: Six persecuted for supporting SCNC

By J.K. Akam

     The struggle for the restoration of the independence of Southern Cameroons is gaining more grounds among English-speaking Cameroonian youth despite the molestation, harassment, arrests, torture, and prosecution of adherents of the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC).

      The SCNC, formed in 1994 -barely a year after the All-Anglophone Conference (ACC) took place in Buea, is championing the independence of Southern Cameroons, the English-speaking part of what is today called the Republic of Cameroon.

   President Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon since November 1982, as his electoral victories have regularly been contested (in vain) by the opposition parties. 

      Because the Cameroon Government considers the SCNC as an outlawed movement and secessionist group intended to divide the so-called “one and indivisible” country, it has since declared a war against the movement’s members and activities.  

      But SCNC pioneer Chairman, Barrister Sam Ekontang Elad has argued and still argues that, what the SCNC stands for is “genuine in history and law 

    It is on record that many SCNC members have been persecuted and prosecuted while many others have fled the country to other countries for safety.

      Recent Reports  say  on December 1,2010, armed forces  swooped on  a group of  six SCNC including strong activists  Orume Lovert and Ebai P. Besong who were on a peaceful demonstration in Ekondo Titi ,Ndian Division of the Southwest  of Cameroon.

     The crack down on the SCNC has become almost a routine activity since an SCNC  group led by Justice Frederic Ebong ,on   December 30, 1999, seized a local government radio station (CRTV Buea) and proclaimed the Independence of Southern Cameroons for at least three hours.

    Prominent SCNC activists such as Akwanga Ebenezer and Cho Ayamba had since fled the country for safely abroad.  

    It should be noted that October 1 is celebrated yearly by the SCNC as Southern Cameroons Independence.