SCNC is giving Anglophones false hope:Camcore Coordinator

Award-winning Emmanuel Neba-Fuh

Based in the United kingdom,Emmanuel Neba-Fuh, is  the Coordinator of Cameroon Council for Reunification (Camcore) in the  UK. Formerly a front-line  SCNC advocate,this gentleman has now rejected the group ,saying the separatist movement has  terrorist plans ,and has  been giving Anglophones false hopes.A one -time Amnesty International (UK section) speaker for schools, colleges and universities ,Mr. Neba -Fuh is now  International Development Consultant for Global Development Partnerships. He has also won  in Britain,the National Award for Community Services.He granted an exclusive online  interview to The Recorder,in which he made biting revelations about the SCNC and a lot more.

Sir, thank you for accepting to grant The Recorder this exclusive interview from the UK where you are based. Before we delve into the burning issues, can you introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Emmanuel Neba- Fuh. I was born in Bamenda, at a time when Cameroon was called “United Republic of Cameroon. I graduated from the University of Derby in England with a BA (Hons) in Applied Community Work and Social Care. I am a holder of an Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Management from Cambridge Tutorial College and a Post Graduate Certificate in ‘Conflict Resolution from the Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, Italy.  
  Currently, I am an international development consultant for Global Development Partnerships, working to improve legislative oversights for extractive revenues, for the benefit of impoverished communities in Commonwealth Africa.
 I served as Amnesty International (UK section) speaker for schools, colleges and universities in the East Midlands for five years, working mainly on issues of Human Rights, genocide and refugees. I was overwhelmed with the prime need of the time and delivered a successful landmark motion on ‘Arms Trade’ at the Amnesty International 2004 Annual General Meeting. This motion paved way for Amnesty International to engage more than 153 governments to vote at the United Nations on developing the first ever Global Arms Trade Treaty.
  I was propelled into the glare of national news media in 2006, when I scooped one of the highest accolades in Britain – The National Award for Community Services presented by British Home Secretary Rt Hon David Blunkett MP for my work with marginalised communities nationwide.
  In 2008, I made history by walking barefoot for 120 miles, to galvanise support for the African Union to introduce a clause in the African Union Charter for Democracy, Elections and Governance, to prevent African leaders from staying in power for than 10 years.
 My other recognitions include: Community Service for Volunteers Regional Award, presented by The Queen’s High Sheriff for Derbyshire Lord Lieutenant John Bather, and the SMK Award presented by Jon Snow of Channel 4 News.
I served as Chair at the Derby Refugee Forum, and was board member of the Derbyshire Constabulary Independent Advisory Board, working with the police on community engagement and anti-terrorism issues.
   In November 2011, I joined Human Rights and Equality champion Edwin Achu in launching the Cameroon Council for Reunification (Camcore) in the House of Commons (UK Parliament). Camcore aims at promoting One and Indivisible Fatherland and a transparent enlightened society where there is respect for the rule of Law, respect for human life and dignity and above all, an environment where all Cameroonians can achieve their full potential. This is a challenge we have embraced and we are committed to working towards a Cameroon fit for the 21st century.

You were a front line SCNC activist who campaigned very well for the SCNC cause abroad. But today you have abandoned the cause and now fighting against it with all your might. Why did you turn your back against this pressure group you helped lay its solid foundation?
  My work in diverse capacities has enabled me to know and meet personally some of the most senior political figures in Britain. It is as a result of my exposure to these personalities that I was opportune to come to terms with the fact that, the fight for an international identity for English-speaking Cameroonians is a waste of time.
 Cameroon’s reunification story goes to the heart of 'Entente Cordial', a shared strategic position of Anglo-French recognition  that  Cameroon set off as one nation, but was partitioned by the British Secretary for the Colonies, Alfred MILNER and the French Minister for the Colonies and Navy, Henri SIMON in 1916.
Article 76 (b) of The United Nations Charter was the most important element of the Trusteeship Agreement of 13th December 1946 concerning British Cameroons under United Kingdom administration.
  According to this Article, “the basic objectives of the trusteeship system, was to promote the political, economic, social, and educational advancement of the inhabitants of the trust territories and their progressive development towards self determination”
  The United Nations respected its Article 76(b) obligation by organising the plebiscite of 11 February 1961.
By a substantial majority, the people of Southern Cameroons decided to achieve independence by voting to rejoin Republic of Cameroun who was already independent. This decision was made through a democratic process, and was supervised and endorsed by the United Nations.
  ‘Self-determination’ as stated in Article 76 (b) of the United Nations Charter denotes the legal right of a people to decide their destiny without external compulsion. It is a core principle of international law and protected in the United Nations Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as a right of all peoples.
  The outcome of Self-determination is autonomy. Autonomy - within international law, can either be federation, assimilation, independence or protection. By voting for reunification, the people of Southern Cameroons freely chose the assimilation option of autonomy.
  Assimilation is a socio-political process whereby ethnic minorities are blended into a dominant ethnic grouping whose members identify with each other through a common heritage, often consisting of common languages and cultures.
 Assimilation usually involves a gradual, ongoing process and takes place in stages.
The creation of the Federal Republic of Cameroon was the first stage of the assimilation process in Cameroon. The replacement of the federal state with a unitary state called United Republic of Cameroon and later Republic of Cameroon were the second and third stages of the process respectively.
 At a time when Francophones are increasingly enrolling their children in Anglophone schools – to prepare them for the best future opportunities, SCNC on the contrary is giving our youths false hope and preventing them from National integration processes that will enable them achieve their full potential. This is why camcore is determined to change the situation.

What was your understanding of the SCNC cause and what is it now?
 The Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) is an Anglophone separatist movement whose ultimate goal is a return to the two-state Federation which existed before May 20, 1972. SCNC was formed during the 1993 Buea, All Anglophone Conference – when over five thousand Anglophone delegates from all over the country gathered to voice out their grievances with regards to the marginalisation of Anglophone Cameroonians
At the time, SCNC was a rallying force for English Speaking Cameroonians. The organisation commanded respect and its leadership was united and had a clear vision.
The present SCNC leadership is elusive and the organisation has lost credibility. Nobody knows, for example, where Mola Njoh Litumbe stands - Liberal Democratic Alliance (LDA) Mola Njoh Civil Society or Patriotic Coalition Front.
Recently, Chief Ayamba Ette Otun and Mr Nfor Ngalla Nfor have been bringing disgrace and shame to the organisation – ‘washing their dirty dresses outside’ and pouring the water on everybody even world leaders.
All their respective cahoots do is take sides. The saddest thing is that anyone who dares speak the truth - that the SCNC is game over is demonised as an agent of the government. The truth is that these individuals are not there for the love of the Anglophone cause.
 Despite the fact that SCNC does not have a single achievement to show, its visionless, divided leadership still continue to give false hopes to the younger generation instead. They should all be judged by what they have built not what they are destroying.

Now, you recently issued a press release, under the banner of CAMCORE, claiming to have uncovered plans by the SCNC aimed at eliminating Anglophone elites serving in the Biya regime. What is Camcore?

 Cameroon Council for Reunification (camcore) is a group of UK based Diaspora Cameroonians open to working with a cross section of Cameroonians and friends of Cameroon, within and out of the country.
 Established in November 2011 following a launch in the House of Commons (UK Parliament), camcore is committed wholeheartedly to play an active role to ensure that our dearly beloved country becomes a place that we can proudly call home.
  50 years after the independence and reunification, tribalism, nepotism, egoism, corruption, unemployment, poverty and deprivation are stifling the social, economic and political development of the country.
  Although responsibility ultimately lies with the commander in chief – the Head of State, we as a people are all accomplices in the impious act and must take responsibility for the current state of our country. The question we should and must ask ourselves is, are we content with the Cameroon of today? If the answer is no, then we must stand up and be counted.
Camcore seeks to call on all Cameroonians of good will to join us in realising “the Cameroon Dream” of a “One and Indivisible Fatherland”, based on transparency, enlightenment, respect for the rule of Law, respect for human life and dignity, and above all, create an environment where all can achieve their full potential.

Can you expose the details of the SCNC diabolic plans here?
 SCNC have joined forces with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). MEND is the largest armed militant group in the Nigerian Niger Delta region. Their offensive has killed hundreds and caused thousands to flee their villages.
  SCNC also reached an agreement with Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo – the rebel leader of Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF). Asari is a former Christian who got converted to Moslem. He has strong links with Nigeria’s terrorist group Boko Haram, and is currently assisting SCNC to strike down government infrastructures and sympathizers in the North West and South West regions.
We must not forget that SCNC has been involved with murder and illegal possession and use of fire arms in the past. In March 1997, SCNC members terrorised towns and villages across the North West region killing some gendarme officers and destroying government buildings.

Some people who read your press release published by The Recorder were quick to conclude that, you must have been hired by the Biya Regime-conscious of your high connections and skills, to destroy the SCNC cause, described by Pioneer SCNC chairman Barrister Sam Ekontang Elad,as "Genuine in law and history." What is your reaction to this school of thought?
   The amount of monies mentioned in the Albatross Scandal, is certainly beyond Cameroon banks, and we are the only Cameroon linked organisation that is currently pushing for anti-corruption agencies to launch corruption and money- laundering investigations for senior Cameroonian politicians.
We are confident that through our work the names of many high profile Cameroonian politicians and their assets will be made public. Now, no organization that is being sponsored by the government can take the kinds of steps we are taking to get to the truth about billions of our money in foreign banks.
  Of course many people would doubt us, but time will prove them wrong.  I have a lot of respect for Barrister Sam Ekontang Elad. As chairman of the 1993 All Anglophone Conference, he did a wonderful work. According to him, in an interview with "The Herald" newspaper in 2003, he said that when his leadership team left, "the new leadership had no vision and saw the cause as a source for enriching themselves."  You think about this truism.

Do you have an idea of how much it can cost the Cameroon Government to buy over an ardent SCNC advocate to betray the cause?
  No amount of Money. I mean No amount of money – period

What is your understanding of the so-called Anglophone problem? How can it be resolved?
  The “so called Anglophone problem” relates to grievances arising from linguistic differences caused by European colonialism in Cameroon.
The best way to solve this problem is by doing what the most influential Anglophone politician said. Speaking on France 24 in 2010, the chairman of the Social Democratic Front, Ni John Fru Ndi said “I will want to make sure that we get Cameroon together because in a bigger unit people can develop better”.
It is indeed disingenuous to say that Anglophone Regions are the most underdeveloped in Cameroon, or that the hardships Anglophones are facing is worse than those of the people of the East, Littoral, West, North or South Regions of Cameroon. SCNC secessionists would agree that, compared to villages in the Eastern region, some villages in the North West region can be classed as cities.
The Social Democratic Front’s ability to project itself as a ‘national’ party - evidenced by high percentage of French-speaking supporters, indicates that Ni John Fru Ndi would have been president of Cameroon in 1992, if he had recognised the position of France within the Anglo-French Entente Cordial. 
50 years after our independence and reunification, tribalism, nepotism, egoism, corruption, unemployment, poverty and deprivation are stifling the social, economic and political development of our country. These are the things we need to tackle as a nation not just the so called Anglophone problem.

 What piece of advice do you have for SCNC supporters, now with your new mind set?
   SCNC supporters must start asking serious questions like; what has SCNC achieved since its inception? Can SCNC show even a single country that recognises its position? After about 30 years with uncountable letters to successive British governments, can SCNC show a single reply from Her Majesty’s Government?
We must all remember that President Abraham Lincoln envisaged a United States of America that is greater than the sum of individual State ambitions and bigger than their racial and linguistic differences. Lincoln fought relentlessly against southern secessionists....Today the United States possesses unprecedented and unequalled strength and influence in the world.
We must realise that our diverse heritage is strength, and think beyond HERE and NOW. The solemn task of keeping our nation united, peaceful and Prosperous is not the responsibility of one section of our society alone, but a lengthy community consultation task that requires a degree of prolonged and sustained effort from Cameroonians of all ages - at local, national and international levels.

You are resident in the United Kingdom (UK), how do you contribute to development back home (Cameroon)?
    Camcore is currently developing and establishing a robust network within Cameroon, in preparation for a big camcore launch. Date and place will be announced shortly.
  The problems of Cameroon are well documented and have enjoyed massive publicity. These problems are attributed to a degree of bad governance and autocracy. Bad governance ,entrenched corruption and inequality. It abuses human rights and constitutions and systematically excludes and marginalizes citizens from institutions of political governance and key economic assets.
I strongly believe that without good governance, and unless we beat corruption, we will never defeat poverty in Cameroon.
  Despite the African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, more than 90% of African Leaders continue to perpetuate themselves in office – winning every election.
  The credibility of most African electoral systems is in question and the results of many elections are not a fair representation of the will of the African People.
  We are campaigning alongside international partners to ensure that the African Union introduce a clause in the African Union Charter for Democracy, Elections and Governance, to prevent African leaders from staying in power for than 10 years, and for a mandatory introduction of Independent Electoral Commissions, which should be tied up to international aid programmes. 
  We are supporting the work of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, (CONAC), by leasing with International anti-corruption agencies and civil societies to launch corruption and money- laundering investigations for senior Cameroonian politicians and also identifying western banks that are warehousing our money so as to get to the truth about billions of our money in foreign banks.
  We intend to uphold Article 66 of the constitution, which requires that all those overseeing public funds declare their possessions.
 Secession has killed millions of people, and caused some of the worst atrocities in history.     We view ‘secession’ as a public health problem which is not different from the harm of tuberculosis, malaria, or HIV & AIDS. We believe that if millions of people are dying of a particular disease, we must have a moral responsibility to invest in prevention. If the process or the pattern which leads to secession is identifiable, then it has to be preventable.
  Our nation cannot endure, permanently the whirlwinds of secession which has kept us grounded for decades. As long as our nation’s contentious historical dynamics permeates every political question and keep us divided, we will not be able to tackle tribalism, nepotism, egoism, corruption, unemployment, poverty and deprivation which are currently stifling the social, economic and political development of our country. This is a challenge that camcore has embraced and is committed to working for a Cameroon fit for the 21st century.
NB: Also Published in The Recorder Newspaper,Cameroon,of July 20,2012