By Bouddih Adams
People from the erstwhile Southern Cameroons, Ambazonia, in the Diaspora, have formed a political party, Ambazonia Liberation Party, ALIP, to fight and restore their sovereignty, dignity and independence from what they refer to as the occupation and subjugation by the Republic of Cameroon (erstwhile French Cameroon), now ruled by President Paul Biya.
The opening salvo in the Preamble of the Manifesto for the first Congress of the party states: “After the ravage of 500 years of transatlantic slave trade that uprooted our society from its foundation and defaced our person, and 74 years of colonialism that left our society upside-down as far as the psyche of our person is concerned, we are now the object of another very cruel form of subjugation by a fellow African country (Cameroon) for the last 43 years.
Tracing the history of the people and the territory of Ambazonia, from the end of the United Nations trusteeship and the Foumban Talks of 1961, to date, the Manifesto observes that, “It has been 43 years of the scourge policies of the neo-colonial Cameroonian elite. In these 43 years, every element that could have served as a building block for the reclamation of our person from the ruins of slavery and colonialism has been wrenched with the use of the brute force of soldiers and gendarmes.
Since the day the troops of Cameroon crossed the borders to our country, a policy to systematically annihilate all the building blocks in Ambazonian society has been implemented. For the powerful of Cameroon and the government of Cameroon, to come from Ambazonia or to look Ambazonian, is reason for discrimination, scorn, shame, suspicion and hatred.”
According to ALIP, the Foumban Talks, after the British terminated Trusteeship over the British Southern Cameroons (Ambazonia) in September 30, 1960, has now come to mean brutal subjugation, the loss of our sovereignty and the shedding of the blood of our Brothers and Sisters who are shot every now and then by Cameroon troops for demanding respect of their rights as human beings.”
The manifesto states: “We, the ALIP, will: (1) Fight and end this bitter episode as a conquered people and restore our sovereignty and independence; (2) Develop participatory democratic structures to end the old practice of some individuals making decisions in the name of the people without the people participating in the discussions or process; (3) Work to develop a Party that involves and respects the grass roots, which empowers individuals and groups to develop their own voice and participate in deciding the destiny of the society.”
According to ALIP, President Biya “officially terminated the Confederation from the Foumban Conference which was the excuse for their occupation of our country; by Presidential decree No. 83-11 of July 27, 1983. Thus, the only constitutional linkage between Cameroon and Ambazonia, albeit since Foumban Accord [an illegal one] had, by this decree, been irreversibly severed.” It further states that President Biya, by yet a Presidential decree No. 84-001 of February 4, “abolished the United Republic of Cameroon; whose President he was, and replaced it with the Republic of Cameroon. But whether by design or by error, this law did not include a clause retaining the institution of the revived Republic of Cameroon, and so, abolished all the institutions of the Federal United Republic of Cameroon with it.”
ALIP also notes that: “ In 1992, in a law suit called HCB28/92 at the Bamenda High Court, Cameroon was forced by its own court to recognise Ambazonia as a sovereign state and to acknowledge that Ambazonia is illegally and forcibly being occupied by Cameroon.”
ALIP states that, “To prevent the continuation of this ravages to our society, we the Ambazonia Liberation Party, ALIP, have decided to invoke our INALIENABLE RIGHTS as spelt out, but not limited to the following statutes:
-The UN General Assembly Resolution 224; 111 of November 18th 1948 protecting our country from annexation, as well as United Nations General Assembly Declaration 1514 [XV} Gaor, Declaration Granting Independence To All Colonial And Dependent People, (A/Ac 240/1995/CR. 11R.1) recognising the Rights Of A People Under Foreign Domination To Free Themselves From Such Domination.”
Mission Statement
The Mission Statement of the party, under Article 1 of the Manifesto, states that: “We, the ALIP have decided to end the scourge of the occupation regime of Cameroon. We will serve as a catalyst that will spur our people in the struggle to restore our sovereignty and independence, with it, our emancipation. We will serve as the ant-ithesis to the power structure of the neo-colonialism Cameroon regime as we struggle to liberate ourselves,” and so on. It further states that “We want to put to rest the curse of personality worshipping that has created the mentality of first stressing “who-should-be-the-leader”, rather than what is to be done. For who can argue that over 20 years after the first real moves were made in the direction of changing the oppressive status quo, we are right here today jammed tight in the muddy waters of “who-should-be-the-leader.””
Defining the “Principles of Unity” and the “Membership Criteria,” the ALIP outlines the “Party Structure” from the “Cell, Committees, Working Groups, Spokes-Council and the Congress.”
With reference to other groups and individuals that have fought the same cause, ALIP states: “We understand that the struggle to restore our independence, to regain our dignity, respect, and rights of self-determination have set many people advocating under different groups with different approaches. Thus, we claim no special privileges in advocating for our peoples’ rights but rather see ourselves as an ally to group and individuals who seriously mean business in ending the nightmares of the current Cameroon occupation of Ambazonia. It is in this spirit that the ALIP mourns the martyrs of our struggle. It is with the same spirit that ALIP recognises that it is intimately linked with the thousands of families who have lost members of their families to this cause under the banner of one or another of these groups, known and unknown, they must be recognised as freedom fighters whose legacy ALIP will seek to continue in a more structured and methodical fashion.”
With this, hopefully the mouth peices of the Republic of Ambazonia, and the self-declared President of the Republic of Ambazonia, the iconoclastic Independence pioneer Mr. Fungum Gorji-Dinka have made the leap from the the "force of argument" they started in 1985, and which has yeilded no fruits for our people, and do what other Liberation movements in history have demonstrated. Freedom is won on the battlefield, first and foremost. That is the greatest recognition and identity we can give ourselves - to fight for what we know is right, just and the truth!
Welcome ALIP to the recognition of this reality. And thank you for learning this lessons of history which all formerly colonized peoples have taught all, from the Americans, to the Zimbabweans, Namibians, South Africans and the list goes on.
Now let action replace empty bombast and intellectual preening.
Posted by: The Ambazonian | Friday, 23 July 2004 at 02:54 PM
I think the commentator above seems to not understand much about Ambazonia Republic. At no time in the history of the struggle did the Fon, (not Mr.) Fongum Gorji-Dinka deny us the right to learn from other liberation movemnets in history. On the contrary, had the commentator (who incidentally chickened and did not put his name on the comment) done his home work well, (SINCE THE FON PREDICTED THE FORMATION OF SOCADEF IN THE THREE LANDMARK DOCUMENTS OF 1985!--remember JETFORCE?: Judgment Execution Task Force clearly spelt out in the Revolt of Ambazonia) he/she would have understood that by utilizing legalism and diplomacy as Ambazonia has done since 1985, the global community has been educated about our cause. Secondly, the list of cases won against Cameroun through the singular efforts of Fon Dinka is long and have virtually tied that nation (Cameroun) and placed them in the position Ambazonians alway dreamt they would find themselves one day, in total disgrace....as the truths about our cause are known.
So the commentator completely erred when he/she said:
[[the iconoclastic Independence pioneer Mr. Fungum Gorji-Dinka have made the leap from the the "force of argument" they started in 1985, and which has yeilded no fruits for our people, and do what other Liberation movements in history have demonstrated]].
Yeilded no fruits for our people? The commentator has some more reading about Ambazonia to do. Otherwise such comments will not be made about Fon Dinka's legal pursiuts for nineteen years. Nineteen years with victories against Cameroun in Bamenda High Court case, HCB/28/92, British Foreign Secretary in the London Case of 1997, Victory in Ambazonia versus Cameroun two cases in UNHRC in Geneva, 2004 and one currently pending in Abuja, Nigeria 2003- present, is not an easy accomplishment in nineteen years! I am sure the commentator can take back some of their misgivings!
Justice M. Mbuh
APEC Secretary General
Bowie, MD, USA
Posted by: Justice M. Mbuh | Friday, 23 July 2004 at 03:27 PM
Mr. SG for APEC:
Judgements won by the Republic of Ambazonia have made no difference in the lives of our people under occupation, this we can agree or disagree on.
Hopefully the creation of ALIP moves us from the unenforceable judgements to JETFORCE, if ALIP is part of JETFORCE then its about time. Courts of Law or UN/AU organs or commissions do not grant independence, this our people must be told. The Western Sahara was recognized by the OAU but enjoys no sovereignty. On the other hand Taiwan has not a seat at the UN but enjoys greater sovereignty that most nations on earth - Chang Kai Shek did not get that from any courts or bureaucrats in the salons of comfort in New York or Geneva. The Battle will be won first on the land. If this is ALIP's view, they have something to add, if not, they can continue with the endless "forces of argument" of the Ambazonia or SCNC or SCAPO variety.
Otherwise I have no time for a personal confrontation with the APEC Secretary General, nor any lessons to learn from him. And if my identity means more to the SG of APEC than my ideas and thoughts, I'll give the SG the last word. Please have the last word Mr. Justice M. Mbuh.
Posted by: The Ambazonian | Friday, 23 July 2004 at 05:08 PM
As someone who participated in the Working Group that drafted the ALIP manifesto, I would say the Comments above get's to the root of the issue-The people(with whom it is said sovereignty lies).
And I'll also add that my conviction is that we are able to think about this things in the manner we are doing today becuase we have the experiences from the efforts made by all those who lead in this struggle before to serve like a bases for considering what could be the best way forward.
If anyone is interested in expressing a point on ways to go a head in the frame of ALIP, please drop us an email ambazonia@riseup.net.
Some ALIP documentations; spelling our concept and proposed way forward is online at http://liberation-party.1.am
We seriously hope it is the dawn of a new day for our people.
Posted by: a member of ALIP manefesto Working Group | Friday, 23 July 2004 at 07:13 PM
Justice Muluh Mbuh:
Are you still making empty threats?
Posted by: christmas ebini | Friday, 23 July 2004 at 08:36 PM
Justice Muluh Mbuh:
Are you still making empty threats? When are you really going to learn anything?
Christmas Ebini
Posted by: christmas ebini | Friday, 23 July 2004 at 08:37 PM
Regardless of these new parties, which should be welcome as vehicles for raising political consciousness and nationalism at grassroots, the Great SCNC remains the principal political movement which carries all our hopes and aspirations for a just and democratic devolution of West Cameroon from East Cameroon. We must not underestimate the SCNC's past acheivenments. This movement of Mukong, Muna, Foncha, Luma, Ebong to name a few great men did bring the rampaging cancer of frenchification to a complete stop in the early nineties. Yes, it saved our schools and children from one of the worst forms of cultural imperialism and neocolonisation yet implemented by gaulist France in Africa through her self-proclaimed pupil Mr. Paul Biya of La Republique du Cameroon.
Long live the SCNC
Longlive Southern Cameroons
Longlive La Republique du Cameroun.
Martin Douala
Washington DC
Posted by: Martin Douala | Friday, 23 July 2004 at 11:39 PM
Regardless of these new parties, which should be welcome as vehicles for raising political consciousness and nationalism at grassroots, the Great SCNC remains the principal political movement which carries all our hopes and aspirations for a just and democratic devolution of West Cameroon from East Cameroon. We must not underestimate the SCNC's past acheivenments. This movement of Mukong, Muna, Foncha, Luma, Ebong to name a few great men did bring the rampaging cancer of frenchification to a complete stop in the early nineties. Yes, it saved our schools and children from one of the worst forms of cultural imperialism and neocolonisation yet implemented by gaulist France in Africa through her self-proclaimed pupil Mr. Paul Biya of La Republique du Cameroon.
Long live the SCNC
Longlive Southern Cameroons
Longlive La Republique du Cameroun.
Martin Douala
Washington DC
Posted by: Martin Douala | Friday, 23 July 2004 at 11:40 PM
As the tunnel grows narrow, every concerned citizen of ex-British Southern Cameroons is taking a POSTURE. This is very encouraging ... that is ... the level of interest in the affairs of this piece of real estate. The big question is - Will THE PEOPLE actually have a VOICE and/or MOUTHPIECE that is really legitimate? Or are some loud-mouthed people just going to force down castor oil into their throats and leave them to their own devices when the bell tolls?
Blessings
Wanaku
Posted by: wanaku | Monday, 26 July 2004 at 05:57 PM
Months and years have come and gone
and my darling home dwells in ruins
curruption prevails, human rights abused
and the future remains so bleak.
All these vices have long prevailed
while my brethren just sit and look on
its now time we rise and make rise all wrongs
that have swinddled our peace away.
Posted by: BUNYUI JOHN NJABI | Sunday, 12 September 2004 at 12:52 PM
Ebini,
The liberation of Ambazonia (Southern Cameroons)has never been a matter between you and me. I don't know what empty threats you are talking about. I am not the one who has claimed asylum in the United States by lying that I was victimized in Cameroun for calling on the masses of Southern Cameroons to rebel only to turn aroumnd and serve the Biya stinking regime with dedication as you, Ebini Christmas Atem has! Remember the article you wrote for the Post in 1992 when elections were rigged and you called on the masses to bear arms and rise up against Cameroun? What are you doing now kissing the behind of the CPDM? And do you Chris, know why I refused to file asylum in the USA? I'll tell you: Because folks like you have made a mess of the opportunity which asylum ought to accord genuine victims and seeker!
If you think I owe any more threats to you more than spelling out to you exactly what you are, then just remind me, I hate to be a threat debtor, like Cameroun, a Judgment debtor!
As for those who say Court Judgments do not liberate nations--that is half truth--for court judgments are an additive tool, which if properly utilized, as I am sure Ambazonia would, with or without ALIP, minimize the truma of war of liberation which could be short-lived with Court judgments to support, say UN Diplomacy.
I strongly think that ALIP will equally serve a purpose and that her actions would be complemented by Court rulings which legitimize their sensitization actions, to say less of actually acquiring power through the polls!
Justice M. Mbuh
Posted by: Justice M. Mbuh | Wednesday, 27 April 2005 at 06:26 AM
The idea of us completely restoring our independent is at hand. Here back in Cameroon, we are arranging procedues of reaching this wonderful dream how ready are u people out there.On behalf of almost 10000 Ambazonians can u open out the most mordern strategies to get to the pick of this all.
Thanks other minds in the support[action orientated Revolutionists Headed by Mr. Tabia Rene
Posted by: Nfuanjeku Tabia Rene | Tuesday, 07 February 2006 at 04:47 AM
This country has always been witness to many wars for independence and many people have died for some who just want the welfare and tranquility of their own!
Posted by: generic viagra | Monday, 24 May 2010 at 10:02 AM
All options are on the table. Diplomacy or Military.
If La republique doesn't want Diplomacy, then let the Violent take it by force.
Now Justice Muluh has been apprehended and other vital pioneers. Our we going to fold our hands and keep on waiting on La republique to came to the table for dialoque at her own convinience if atall she will?
La Republique can never defeat us on the battle field, after all her forces are living with us, so it makes it easier for us.
Posted by: Chief Ayuk Arrey | Monday, 24 May 2010 at 11:53 AM
I hope u all are connecting the dots here.
Justice Mbuh is langishing in jail here in Cameroon, probably sold and betrayed by men like Christmas Ebini.
Just be careful when u deal with men like Molua, Ebini, Samba, Dipoko. These folks are worse than Judas. They wiLl hand u over to La Republique for free. They are the devils in our house.
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Posted by: lots in costa rica | Tuesday, 20 July 2010 at 01:02 PM
I Feel lucky that we are finally starting to walk the hard walk in life. We are all together in this and we will prevail. There is no going back no matter how long it takes, setbacks and what ever. This is the only way we can prove to our descendants that we were there for them.
We will finally know who we truly are. History is calling
Posted by: Malis | Sunday, 27 February 2011 at 09:11 PM
If it comes to the worst (Arm Resistance)
I will be the first to go back home and I will fight. I do not care if I die.
I'm done with this stupid African Ignorance of waiting for a God or a leader that will never come to save us.
If we look well in history African leaders have always been the once who sold their own kind for slaver.
That will not and never happen with my Children. I will die for them.
If the one and only true God wants to punish me, no problem. I will not stand and watch.
Posted by: Malis | Sunday, 27 February 2011 at 09:23 PM