Vox-pop:What Are The Prospects For The Anglophone Struggle?

Compiled By Olive Ejang Tebug Ngoh, Christopher Jator Njechu, Victorine Biy Yongka, Lydie Yuri and Olivia Ogechi (UB Journalism Student on Internship)

Few Prospects
Southern Cameroonians have few prospects because the people who are fighting for our independence do not agree.

There is a lot of misunderstanding, mistrust amongst themselves, like we have the SDF, which is supposed to be fighting for the future. But we have the Ben Munas, and Fru Ndi who are not in good terms.

Two rams cannot drink from the same cup; it is either one person is leading and others following, or nobody is leading nor following at all. If the future of Southern Cameroonians must come to the limelight, then the Southern Cameroonian politicians have a lot of things to do, that is, learn to compromise on their ideas.

We cannot fight a battle from several ideologies; but it can be fought from several fronts. Southern Cameroonians must learn to sit and think to succeed in their struggle.
Donald Ndiforchi, Teacher, GHS Bafut

Security Threat
The Anglophone problem is the greatest security threat to Cameroon and to the entire sub-region. It is a problem that the Anglophone elite in government and their Francophone brothers have tried to postpone, deny or bury, for decades. This notwithstanding, the government must openly acknowledge the problem, discuss it, resolve it, or face the irreversible violence.

Consequently, President Paul Biya must defy the praise-singers around him and convene the second session of the tri-partite talks to resolve this threatening issue amongst others, such as corruption. Partly, I believe the SCNC has done a good job in identifying the depth of the Anglophone problem. However, they must abstain from spoiling the case with lies.

From 1961 through 1792, the Anglophone leadership consciously participated in what the SCNC is calling "annexation." Dr. John Ngu Foncha, Hon. Solomon Tandeng Muna, Chief Endeley and Prof. Bernard Fonlon were not under opium when they stood for the above cited duet.
Afanyi Ngeh, Foundation for Human Rights and Development President, Yaounde

We Need Unity
Southern Cameroonians would have a lot of advantages if we unite and fight as one. Firstly, a typical Southern Cameroonian is always marginalised and he cannot independently and successfully carry out anything so far as La République is concerned. So, they are always considered second class citizens. 

We are told we are a minority and as such, we do not enjoy equal opportunities as our brothers and sisters from La République. Secondly, if Southern Cameroons finally succeed in having its independence, the new head of state would solve the problem of unemployment, because Southern Cameroons shall be financially vibrant and any other preoccupation shall be handled.
Gerald Awemo, Businessman, Bamenda

It Is A Hopeless Struggle
I can predict that the struggle is going to be a failure because there is no hope for Southern Cameroonians again. They will never be given the opportunity to reverse the choice they made to join West Cameroonians. So much time has gone by and history cannot be changed in this present Cameroon .It is better for Southern Cameroonians to accept the statusquo and bear the consequences of their actions.
Hycinth Tosam, Teacher, GBHS Muyuka

Focused
I believe all the factions are gearing towards one end. They are fighting for the independence of Southern Cameroonians. We are being marginalised by La République, especially the youths who find it very difficult to secure jobs, or operate businesses of their own. Some have to go through the back door. At times for you to succeed, you must have a Godfather.  The struggle we hope is going to materialise in the nearest future.
Jerome, Ambanibe ASODI Teze, Ngie, Momo

Tribal Dichotomy Hinders The Struggle
The Anglophone problem is coming from the Anglophones themselves. How can a divided people go to a war front and win a battle? It is impossible. If Cameroon Anglophones put the Northwest/Southwest dichotomy aside and face this marginalisation problem, it will be better.

The SCNC, the body struggling to combat the Francophone/Anglophone problem, unfortunately, has not been welcomed by a majority of the Anglophone elite, especially those in government. It, therefore, makes it very difficult for the Cameroon Anglophone struggle to ever be championed. God alone can fight the battle for us.
Nadine Ngu, Student, Yaounde

Need For Equality
Cameroon Anglophones are marginalised because La République considers them to have no place. When it comes to recruiting Cameroonians, La République ignores. So for the Southern Cameroonians to succeed in their struggle, there needs to be equal distribution of the national cake.
Ernest Kenfac, Newspaper Vendor, Bamenda

Struggle Might Not Succeed
The SCNC is being suppressed; it cannot publicly voice its grievances. The struggle might not succeed. If we have two different official languages then we are two different people. I think that this diversity is not being used to our advantage. The best thing is to secede or constitute a federal system of administration. The SCNC is doing just this, but I don't see any prospects of advancement because of the crude regime which is not giving the struggle a liberal way.
Shani, Politologue, Yaounde

Waxing Strong!
I believe the state has made Southern Cameroons to grow from strength to strength despite other factions. The State is preaching one thing; secession and remember, when the former UN, Secretary General, Kofi Annan, came to Cameroon, he called for dialogue between the state and the secessionists.

It never happened. Southern Cameroonians feel they are marginalised. But every year we take pains and huge sums of money to dispatch forces of law and order to the two Anglophone provinces in the name of maintaining peace and chasing away Southern Cameroonians, yet we are crying of poverty.
Elvis Dogo Dogo, Teacher, GBHS Santa

Light Will Shine
The maritime crisis that pitted Cameroon and Nigeria was as a result of the Cameroon Anglophone marginalisation. The struggle would see a federalist system of governance instituted in Cameroon. At reunification, we voted on an equal term but now the Cameroon Anglophones are being cheated downright. The administration had it all wrong, the strong SCNC activities in the hinterlands mean hope and I believe the light would shine one day.
T. Alfred, Forestry Officer, Yaounde

The Struggle Will Be Fruitful
Southern Cameroon's struggle for separation is a just course that is worth fighting for. Even though, the situation seems to be bleak right now; I believe it is a gradual process which will be fruitful in the nearest future. Things must change in this country and Southern Cameroonians will take their rightful positions when the time comes. This struggle is taking so much time because people are afraid to fight for what is just.
Julius Ndifor, Trader, Buea

Confusion
I don't know which faction is which. I would have expected all the factions to come together because we Cameroonians should speak with one voice to propel the struggle.
Matanga Manoua, Amity Bank, Bamenda

It Will Be A Failure
I think the struggle by Southern Cameroonians to separate is worthless and will probably be a failure because it is masterminded by egoistic persons. They do not have the interest of the masses at heart. The struggle will yield no fruits.
Bridget Vefonge Student, University of Buea

We Need Change Of Leadership
I am very optimistic that the Southern Cameroons struggle will one day yield fruits. We only need somebody with a vision to head the struggle and we shall have a positive outcome. The present leaders of SCNC are too old and tribalistic. We need a change for the movement to forge ahead. Cameroon Anglophones have suffered a lot of marginalisation in the hands of La République. It is better we cut off.
Martin Mekuru Elondo, Kumba

Need For Dialogue
I don't think there is any prospect for the Southern Cameroons struggle. During the handing over of Bakassi Peninsula, it was rumoured that it would be handed to Southern Cameroons. This did not happen. I think clamouring for secession is a pipe dream. Cameroon is one and indivisible though I know there's an Anglophone problem. The government should dialogue with Anglophone authorities and try to solve the marginalisation of Anglophones in the nation.
Manase Ngoe Masue, ANDP National Youths Coordinator

Comments

[UnitedstatesofAfrica]

The Southern Cameroons struggle is getting a lot of press lately...are these signs of progress building in the trench and preparing to emerge? let's wait and see.

As you can see most people are say the SCNC suffers from disunity...this something I have told Ma Mary and her cohorts, time and again. What was their response? that I am an enemy of their progress. The people have spoken, can you see now? if the SCNC does not revitalise, reconstruct and strategise, you guys are wasting your time. I have told you OVER AND OVER AGAIN...

[TAGRO]

For more please click here:October 1 Video Address

[casara]

UnitedstatesofAfrica
Young man,the issue is not disunity.The problem is lack of education about how the Southern Cameroons came about okay.
Naivety from people like you makes it look like the Southern Cameroons' course is a loud-sounding-nothing.Boy climb down the fence and be a part of this golden struggle.
La Republique took away our history books.Some of us had to learn about the Southern Cameroons from this forum and through news papers.
That teacher from Buea and people like you need to go back and dig history books of the Southern Cameroons.And Believe me, your funny mind would be helped and you would be healed of this canker warm eating your brain