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Month: December 2023

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SCNC and the Restoration of the Independence of the Formal British Cameroons

The ongoing civil crisis in the area called Sothern Cameroons, a former British trust territory, can be traced back in 1961 when the British failed to grant Southern Cameroons the right to be independent and rather gave them an option in a plebiscite to join Nigeria or La Republic du Cameroun. This travesty of justice of the right of a people to self-determination has had a tremendous impact over the years till now. The people of Southern Cameroons might be described as victims of an imperfect decolonisation which started with the decision to refuse them self autonomy by the British.

Consequently, there has been a consistent and systematic governing machinery in place which ensures that the former British Southern Cameroons remain subjected under La Republique du Cameroun as opposed to sharing equal status as federated states in power relations. This was evident in 1972 when the first President, Ahmadou Ahidjo changed the name of the country from The Federal Republic of Cameroon to The United Republic of Cameroon. When his predecessor, Paul Biya took over in 1982, he also unilaterally changed the name to the Republic of Cameroon. These worrying patterns of gross violation of the constitution binding La Republique du Cameroun and the British Southern Cameroons show complete disregard of the people’s wishes.

The Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) was created from the
backdrop of such disgruntlements and after all failed attempts to get La Republique du Cameroun to reconsider their moves in undermining the constitutional position of the British Southern Cameroons as equal patterns in the political affairs of the country.

The SCNC has consistently stood for the independence of the former British Southern Cameroons through public activities such as peaceful protest and demonstrations. Over the years members of the SCNC have been subjected to wanton arrest and human rights violations. In 2021, Amnesty International Report on Cameroon found that security forces continue to disrupt SCNC activities.
This flagrant disregard for basic human rights is an ongoing happening in Cameroon particularly seen in 2016 when Teachers and Lawyers went on the street to protest the use of French in English Schools and Courts. They were met with humiliation, harassment, torture, detention and persecution.

The outlawing of the SCNC and the Cameroon Civil Society members of the
consortium is an apt example of a society that denies its citizens the right to freedom of speech, life and movement. An example is the case of Fabian Fomuki, a US citizen detained in Cameroon for more than three months. His support for the restoration of Southern Cameroons independence whilst residing in Canton, USA is the reason for his arrest according to his family. He arrived in Cameroon via the Douala international airport and was arrested at his hotel when a group of
masked men armed with guns abducted him, threw a bag over his head, and loaded him into a car.

This worry pattern of arbitrary arrest, harassment, and detention of SCNC supporters is entirely at odds with international human right law and standards.
The ongoing crisis has created a humanitarian crisis particularly as British Southern Cameroonians have had to seek refuge in neighbouring Nigeria and are in dire need of necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare. The mental well-being of the British Southern Cameroonians in exile are in jeopardy and their existence is hanging in the balance as they wonder when they will return home again.

We call on the UK government to mediate with other international bodies to find lasting solutions to the ongoing genocide and unrest in the British Sothern Cameroons. We wish to plead our course for the complete restoration of the independence of the British Southern Cameroons. As SCNC members, we will continue to advocate our rights to freedom and restoration of that which had denied us in 1961. Although we are a people as Achille Mbembe describes made
up of an ‘entanglement with multiple elsewhere[s]… that has produced different outcomes,’  we assert that we are on a long journey to freedom, of becoming an independent country and we look forward to reaching Buea.

Written By: Emilia Efeti Agey

 

 

Human Rights Monitoring Project
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The Harsh Realities of Arbitrary Arrests, Phone Seizures, and House Searches in Buea and other areas in the Conflict hit Anglophone Cameroon.

As the war in Cameroon rages on, civilians in the Anglophone regions find themselves caught in the crossfire, facing not only the threat of violence but also pervasive human rights abuses. Among the most concerning violations are arbitrary arrests, confiscation of phones, and house searches conducted by government forces.

Arbitrary arrests have become a routine tactic employed by government security forces as part of their counter-insurgency operations in the Anglophone regions. Suspected separatist sympathisers or individuals perceived to be dissenters are often targeted without warrant or due process in Buea and across the anglophone regions. Once detained, many are subjected to interrogation, torture, and prolonged detention without access to family member or legal representation.

In addition to arbitrary arrests, the confiscation of phones has become widespread, particularly during security operations or house raids. Phones are seen as potential tools for communication among arm fighters or for documenting human rights abuses, making civilians vulnerable to scrutiny and suspicion. Security forces often seize phones under the pretext of gathering intelligence, leaving individuals without means of communication with their families or access to vital information.

House searches have also become a common occurrence in conflict-affected areas. Government forces frequently conduct raids on civilian homes in search of weapons, contraband, or suspected separatist sympathisers. These searches are often conducted without warrants and involve intimidation, harassment, and destruction of property. Civilians are left feeling violated and vulnerable in their own homes, with little recourse for justice or accountability.

Arbitrary arrests, phone seizures, and house searches have a profound impact on the lives of civilians in the conflict-affected areas. Families are torn apart, livelihoods disrupted, and communities traumatised by the constant fear of arbitrary detention and harassment. The erosion of trust between civilians and security forces further exacerbates tensions and fuels resentment, perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability.

The international community has a critical role to play in addressing these human rights abuses in Southern Cameroon. Diplomatic pressure must be exerted on the Cameroonian government to uphold its obligations under international law and respect the rights of civilians. Humanitarian organisations should provide support and assistance to victims of arbitrary arrests and house searches, including legal aid and psychosocial support.

Ultimately, a peaceful resolution to the war in Cameroon requires a commitment to human rights, accountability, and a peaceful separation of Southern Cameroon. The systematic abuse of power through arbitrary arrests, phone seizures, and house searches only serves to deepen the divisions and prolong the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire. It is imperative that all parties involved prioritise the protection of civilians and work towards a sustainable peace that respects the dignity and rights of all Southern Cameroonians.

Written By: Djofang Ngesse

Opinions
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The Anglophone crisis in the English speaking parts of Cameroon a retrospective analyses, personal stance and opinion.

The purpose of  writing this article is too bring out a personal stance and opinion on the ongoing Anglophone crises in the English speaking parts of Cameroon between the government and the people of southern Cameroon. This crisis has been ravaging and destroying these regions of the country that is, the Northwest and southwest since 2016 till date and no substantial or long term solution has been arrived at from any of the sides involved. All parties are  denying to amicably bridge their differences and settle their incongruity or adhere to the demands of the other leading to total unrest, fear and uncertainty in these regions by the military of la republique. Both sides accuse one another of some wrong doings and deny responsibility whereas the underlying causes are obvious and can’t be refuted by the government of la republique du cameroun who has been the villain all these years and seeks to continue with their malicious activities and selfish gains of exploitation and manipulation of these minority group of English speakers. I believe as a southern Cameroonian (Amazonian) who has been a firsthand victim of the total marginalization and oppression from the French speaking regime and their governance(la republique du Cameroun) a critical analysis  is appropriate and required.

Southern Cameroons was the southern part of the British League of Nations mandate territory of the British Cameroons in West Africa. Since 1961 it has been part of la republic du Cameroon and has been administered by this administration. Southern Cameroon is now made up of the northwest region and the southwest region of the country. Bamenda which is capital of the northwest region with its cool climate and scenic hilly location and Buea the capital of the southwest region located on the easten slopes of mount Cameroon. The English speaking regions of Cameroon under the administration of the republic of Cameroon have been subjected to total oppression, manipulation and suppression by imposing its rule and governing on these people who seek nothing but a total unconditional liberation, freedom and preservation of their dignity, identity  and culture  as a people.

The Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNC) which has been the executive governing body of the southern Cameroons people organisation has been upfront in making sure the plight of the people of southern Cameroon is heard and pushed. Founded in the 90s it seeks the independence of the people of southern Cameroon from the republic of Cameroon, a non violent organisation with its Motto being the force of argument and not the argument of force. It advocates for the secession from Cameroon. Its activities has been declared illegal by the government of Paul Biya .Partaking in this organisation or any related activities invites the risk of detention, torture, arrest and even killing by the military.

It all started October of 2016 when the teachers and lawyers trade unions which were called the Cameroon Anglophone civil society consortium decided to embark on a strike which was to counter the recent appointments of French speaking magistrates in the Anglophone regions hence a big threat to the common law system. This led to a total disruption military intervention on the path of French Cameroon military, schools came to a halt and an atmosphere of total uncertainty was created. The government crackdown on the protests contributed to mainstream separatist movements. In September 2017, Amazonians separatists began to take up arms against the government and this further escalated to exchange from both parties that led to total unrest lack of peace in these 2 English speaking zones. Despite all attempts by both parties to reach an amicable understanding and solution this has proven to be futile as either party do not want to adhere to the demand of the other hence prolonging the fight and casualties. An exact number of people who have been tortured, arrested and killed or forced to flee their regions, towns to other cities of the country and even their country as a whole can’t be told as a lot has not been officially documented.

Coming from the North West Region of Cameroon Batibo to be precise  I have witness first hand marginalization, discrimination,  oppression and exclusion from  the French speaking people in the government of la republique du Cameroun which leaves me in total sorrow and agony as I reminiscence on the treatment our people of southern Cameroon have  undergone over these years . Thinking of how life used to be in my homeland of Batibo before the outbreak of this current crises I am left with tears filled in my eyes as all I can do is lament over the destruction and shambles our people have been left to endure over the last 7+ years and still counting. The painful part of the story is the oppressor being the government of Cameroon is not helping matters at all as they keep on militarising all these English speaking zones subjecting the people to constant fear, abandoning their home land to seek for refuge somewhere else, destruction of life and property and other unpleasant realities.

I personally believe every human being has the right to life, freedom of speech, right to education, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of expression and a right to free trail but all of this has been far from the reality of every southern Cameroonian especially those who identify to be members of the Southern Cameroon National Council( SCNC) as this organisation has been declared illegal and has been banned by the government of Cameroon its members or any related activities associated them. However all hope is not lost as its eminent, evident and clear the people of southern Cameroon are determined than never before to uphold and restore their dignity, integrity and culture doing so by seeking total liberation, secession and independence from the government of Cameroon and this is seen with the frequent rallies, conferences and peaceful protest in several countries around the world. Being a proud southern Cameroonian and a member of the SCNC i stand on the status quo of total liberation and independence of our people from the hands of this tyranny and oppressing government of Cameroon and our dignity, culture and integrity restored.

By Boris Deckline Acha Mbah

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