Cameroon: Our Future is Anglophone

By Patrice Nganang (Translated from French by Dibussi Tande)

Confronted with such a flurry of Cameroonian talent in English, how can we not breathe a sigh of relief? If our country's macabre present has become an unending one, we can at least proclaim today that Cameroon has a future, and it is Anglophone.

Our future is Anglophone. This should be obvious to anyone who is closely observing the evolution of Cameroonian intellectual output in the last few years. The reasons for this are not even linked to the fact that apart from their language of expression, Cameroonian writers in English have, without doubt, pulled the last chestnuts out of the fire that was colonization, with the language of Shakespeare giving them right away a global platform, with all the benefit that this has with regards to the dissemination of knowledge. No, there are other reasons, and here are five of them. 

First, if intellectual activity is an expression of a society's breathing, then the Anglophone question is the heart of our country. The political future of Cameroon will be linked to the resolution of this question. Since the scuttling of the UPC during the smoldering years of the 1990s, it is the Anglophone question which holds the promise of a future liberty for us all. Whether this liberty is expressed in an associative and institutional form through a parliamentary opposition or in an insurrectional or even secessionist form as is the case with the "Southern Cameroonians", it remains the only real political locomotive of our contemporary history. It is obvious to any keen observer of the geopolitics of power in Cameroon that the longevity of the dictatorship in Cameroon has been possible only because the two dictators who have succeeded each other in Yaounde in the last 50 years have, at the minimum, always been sufficiently intelligent not to quarrel for too long with the numerous regimes, including the military, that have ruled Nigeria. Our potentates have thus always snatched from the forces of change the gigantic natural sanctuary that Nigeria would have offered them. The recent arrest of Liman Oumate in Maiduguri, Nigeria, is the ultimate proof of this fact. Yet on the other hand, the Francophone ring of infamy made up of Chad, the Central African Republic, Congo and Gabon can only help to strangle our future because it is ruled by Africa’s longest serving Neros.

But our future is Anglophone not just because Nigeria is the only neighboring country which does not take orders from Paris - a paradigm which in itself will instantly give us a better future. Secondly, our future is Anglophone because it is the intellectual vivacity of a people which creates a better tomorrow. The future is invented, with literature serving as its furnace. Now, Anglophone writers who have taken Nigeria seriously, for example Bate Besong who died too soon, are also those who in their works have been the most intractable, that is, the most impatient with the duration of the status quo. But the flaring up of literature around Bate Besong's still warm grave is immense, and it is expressed in the work of writers with the talents of an orchestra conductor such as Francis Nyamnjoh whose novels, Souls Forgotten and Married but Available, are an appraisal of our time, from the point of view of sex and violence; like Peter Vakunta who combines his talent of a story teller (Grassfield stories from Cameroon) with that of a poet (Majunga Tok : Poems in Pidgin English) and an essayist (Cry My Beloved Africa).

Rebuffed for too long by Yaounde and its Edition Clé, a generation of Anglophone writers has meanwhile emerged which could care less, and which has chosen Bamenda as its literature capital. That is our third reason for hope. Do we have here a repeat of the dissidence of the 1990s which also began in Bamenda? Who knows? Nevertheless, our literature will do well not to repeat the bloody idiocies of politics, and should celebrate those authors published by Langaa: Ntemfac Ofege, writer journalist (Namondo, The Return of Omar, Children of Bethel Street, Hot Water for the Famous seven); Dibussi Tande (No Turning back: Poems of Freedom 1990-1993), Rosemary Ekosso (The House of Falling Women), Joyce Ashutantang, Tikum Mbah Azonga, Sammy Oke Akombi, Emmanuel Fru Doh, and all the others. Here, we are far removed from the serialized typewritten books, inspired by Onitsha market literature, which are still being hawked in the Bamenda market. These include books such as Kemonde Wangmonde’s The Challenge of young girls or Ngwa Neba’s Manka’a whose format éditions Clé tried to imitate in 1999 with Ngoh Agnes Nzuh's Tales from the Grassland and the Forest, one of the rare English texts that this publishing outfit deigned to publish. Here, a partnership (not  co-publishing, please!) with Michigan State University Press (MSUP) allows the works of writers to penetrate the American market, and through it, the world market. We should note that that this is done under the banner of a publisher based in Mankon, Bamenda. The vehicle? The Internet. Please tell me if this is not a literary revolution.

I have already emphasized that our future is Anglophone. A forward looking intelligence is busy developing it own communication tools. This is my fourth reason. Thus, Kangsen Wakai's Palapala Magazine serves as a relay for a generation of writers based in the United States, Cameroon, Senegal and Nigeria, when it isn't blogs such as Dibussi Tande's Scribbles from the Den which are doing the same. The Buea EduArt literary festival has Chinua Achebe and Niyi Osundare as its patrons. We should at this juncture mention the work being done from Cape Town, South Africa, by the Post Modernist DJ, Ntone Edjabe, with his Chimurenga, the only African magazine to have been mentioned in the New York Times, and in a laudatory manner. Chimurenga is a space which covers exhibitions (on topics such as sex), posters (football), participation in artistic events such as Documenta in Germany, and most recently, the establishment of a virtual library containing the most influential African journals and magazines. How can we not celebrate this Anglophone dynamism? It all makes sense: Forced out of our country by the tumult of the smoldering years, Ntone Edjabe's extraordinary journey first took him to Nigeria.

The fifth and final reason for our hope is that this intellectual effervescence has caught up with the general language of critical thought especially since it is now possible to talk of a Cameroonian school of criticism in the field of African esthetic philosophy. And this has been possible thanks to the publication of numerous articles in English by Achille Mbembe, particularly his On the Post Colony, a book, which if ever there was ever one, has given renewed vigor to postcolonial studies spurred at home by the demands of Bernard Fonlon, and above all, a book which uses Cameroon as a metonymy. Mbembe’s influence is steadily growing on American college campuses where he is a regular visitor. It is worth noting that he too resides in the English space of South Africa. Confronted with such a flurry of Cameroonian talent in English, how can we not breathe a sigh of relief? If our Country's macabre present has become an unending one, we can at least proclaim today that Cameroon has a future, and it is Anglophone.

Click here for the French version of this article.

About Patrice Nganang

Born in Yaoundé (Cameroon) in 1970, Patrice Nganang is currently Assistant Professor of Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies at the State University of New York, Stony Brook (USA). Patrice studied Comparative Literature at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University (Frankfurt / Main, Germany), from which he also holds a PhD.

Most of his fiction is written in French and published by French publishers. He first published a collection of poems, Elobi, in 1995, and is the author of several novels: La promesse des fleurs, Temps de chien, La joie de vivre, L'invention du beau regard, among others.

His most acclaimed novel, Temps de Chien, was awarded the Prix Marguerite Yourcenar (for Francophone writers living in the USA) in 2001 and the Grand Prix Littéraire de l'Afrique Noire (leading literary award for African Francophone writers) in 2002. This novel has been translated into German in 2003 under the title Hundezeiten and released in English under the title Dog Days in 2006 (Dog days, University of Virginia Press).

Source: University of Kwazulu Natal website

Comments

[Ras Tuge]

Did you have to go to America to realise that French is faeces, my friend? This is no news to an emancipated castle like me, for ever since my birth i've known that French is shit, and that France sucks. You better spend your precious energy preaching your sermon to your shallow-minded Francophone people who love to suck shit.

[Damien]

Ras Tuge, I am surprised by your attitude because you have been the one who has been putting down anything-Anglophone-related on this forum. however, this article tells us that beyond the stereotypes which you and ironically most francophones peddle, Anglophone Cameroonians are making significant inroads, particularly in literature.

So my vulgar rastafarian friend, you better eat your humble pie quietly and lie prostrate before this francophone who has taught you a lesson about your own people whom you denigrate. If anyone is shit, it is you my Rasta Thug...

[Ma Mary]

At his core Ras Tuge is a tribalist. This piece of unbelievable rudeness is a visceral reaction to the fact that Nganang is Bamileke. That snake devouring his soul will be his lifelong bugaboo to conquer or be conquered.

[UnitedstatesofAfrica]

If I could send my hand through this computer screen and strangle Ras Tuge to his impending demise I would. What an idiot.

[EDIE]

Nice job indeed Mola Dibussi;and kudos to Patrice for being a realist.Good brains out sourced out there,that could productively be exploited to benefit the young ones back home.May be regime change and a re-awakening could bring back most if not all the intelligentsia we have lurking out in yonder,for lack of better or atleast comparable opportunities back home.Time for reflection and the Almighty's intercession.Adieu.EDIE.

[Ras Tuge]

Birds of the same feather always flock together. Illusory people can't think, and all they do is shower unwarranted praises whenever someone flatters them with what they want to hear, just like little children do. They even seem to forget that this article was translated from french to english!

About the Southern Cameroons; well, frankly you guys WILL probably have to wait for a very long time. The fact that i have promised Hell on France for making black people to hate themselves doesn't mean that the lives of Francophones and Anglophones should be torn asunder. Black people were one before Babylon came in their numbers to enslave people like you.

Damian, Anglophones are bound to face Hell with the sort of pitiful and inflammatory mind that some of you have. Impugning on my integrity shall never alleviate your misery man, for on Jah Solid Rock Rasta shall always stand. You need to wake up!

Pangs of guiltiness rests on the conscience of sycophants like Ma Mary who rather than shed blood for her egregious betrayal of Southern Cameroons, prefer to encourage black hatred and to callously incite children to violence that will undoubtedly culminate in a massive slaughter.

US slave, an empty-headed criminal like you WILL always make foul sounds. You need help man! Ras Tuge is not, and shan't ever be scared of anyone.
All you secessionist hypocrites.

[Enow Conrad]

Ras Tuge,

you are mostly right, and i must let you know that i really enjoy your critical ideas. I like your sometimes incendiary but utterly captivating mindset, and i always look forward to reading your reactions. When Anglophones present themselves as babies, how will Francophones ever respect them? You can't make yourself a banana and expect not to be eaten by a monkey.
Nganang is simply suggesting an eradication of the unfortunate plight of 'Anglos', by recognising their worth, and hence grant them equal chances that would safe-guard a better future for Cameroon. There is nothing else he mentioned that Anglophones don't already know. Secession is simply a pipe-dream as our Rasta brother has indicated.

[Damien]

Mr. Enow, do you really believe that Nganang has written what "We" don't already know? If we already know about the "flurry of Cameroonian talent in English" that Nganang mentions how come we are not busy celebrating that talent but are spending inordinate amounts of time on this forum and elsewhere trying to prove that Anglophone Cameroonians are a worthless bunch?

How many of us are even remotely familiar with the Anglophone writers that Nganang mentions and who are slowly putting Anglophone Cameroon on the map? How many of their books have we read or even seen?

No my friend, it is Anglophones like the Rasta Thug who help promote the myth of Anglophone inferiority and worthlessness with their complete lack of a historical anchor and inability to look beyonf their inferiority Nganang, without even knowing it has exposed people of his ilk for what they are and that is why he is mightily ticked off and spewing vulgarities - the antithesis of a real rastaman.

It is amazing that a Francophone is able to see that Anglophone nationalism in all its forms (from federalism to secession) is indeed a reaction to the failure of the Francophone partner in the Cameroons union to keep his own side of the bargain. Get him to honor is historical, constitutional and other commitments and we will all be singing a different song. One doesn't have to be a "secessionist" to understand this very obvious fact...

[Enow Conrad]

It is clear Damian that some of you have never visited Ras Tuge's teasing blog to know the ingenuity and originality of his mind. I mean, the guy is one hell of a brain. Even when he contributes a comment on this forum, it is mostly thoughtful and provocative, a thing which many of you seem ill-equipped to appreciate. The fact that someone might hold a different opinion from you, or even disapprove of your view, doesn't mean he is stupid or a lesser person. You make yourselves silly when you can only counter Ras Tuge with insults. So you are not familiar with Bate Bissong, Ntemfac Ofege, Francis Nyamnjoh, Dibussi Tande, Rosemary Ekosso... what a shame. Damian you are both ignorant and inferior, with no leverage to criticise Ras. You all need to grow up. Chiao

[Ma Mary]

Fear and tribalism is what makes some Southern Cameroonians want to be slugs instead of eagles. There is also a lack of historical perspective. If countries held down by the Soviet Union, one of the most formidable empires in history could reassert their sovereignty, so can we. What is la Republique? The banana farm of France? Just one year ago, if somebody told you that the son of an African would be the President of the USA, you would have said "pipe dream". I am glad to say, I was one of those who believed in President Obama from the beginning.

[Damien]

Mr. Conrad, Ras Tuge might be the brightest man on the face of the earth, and may have written articles that have won international literary awards. However, once he responds to a view point with vulgarities, he has lost the plot and is unable to clearly articulate even the most basic argument. In that case he becomes nothing but a RASTA THUG and deserves to be treated as such.

That said, the original argument stands. In practically all of his "brilliant" commentaries he has spent his time denigrating Anglophone Cameroons (not challenging secessionists as you are trying to claim). However, here is an article which argues eloquently that Anglophones are not as stupid as the Ras man claims. If RAS thinks differently, all he had to do was articulate his contrary ideas. Instead he jumped into the sewer and began spewing vulgarities. that is the issue at hand.

Ras, is the typical self hating "Anglo" who is crippled an acute inferiority complex, and tries to mask it with all the useless bravado that we read on this forum.

[esengwa esengwa]

this's mr esengwa.realy my brothers and sisters as a polictician,my fight is to off the french langue.let the french people live only them self,if u ask me why i have been traveling to many countries i find out that,thay are not only poor in polictics,democratic,deplomacy,thay are poor in all axpect.the anglophone cameroonians are doing well in all is this change? am a cameroonian born in spain. SCNC WOULD MAKE US FILL FIND AS SOUTHERN CAMEROONIANS THANKS EVERY ONE.

[Bob Bristol]

It's really intriguing to read the insults and counter insults on this forum. It enlivens my day greatly. We can do this for the fun of it but we mustn't forget we owe a moral obligation to put forth feasible ideas aimed at liberating the plight of the Southern Cameroonians in particular and that of Africa as a whole.

Ras, you've made us to know that you are from Bakossi, that you resides in Babylon, that you are happily married and have kids, that you've defended lot of degrees out there in Babylon and that you are living in affluence. I doubt if we need all these. You may not be better up than most of the people on this forum. You have a right to have a contrary opinion on the issue of secession. But instead of putting forth a substantial argument, you've resorted to insults. Insults still have a place. I may not even stand a chance of telling you what to do and what not to do, but remember that this is an intellectual forum.

[ron]

The problm in cameroon is not between Anglophone and Francophone nor Mr. Biya and the John Fru Ndi .Cameroonian have a mentality peoblm deeply planted from she root.We want wealth but need no wisdom. we need money but need no mentors. Bla, Bla Bla . Same old Shit and Same old story. God Blessed Cameroon

[Ras Tuge]

Hmm, i've gotten a defense attorney! Very heart-warming to know that some people strive to see some merit in me despite the superficial onslaught from mostly secessionist hypocrites. Only knowledgeable people like Conrad and hordes of others can understand the power of alternative thinking.

There's a sorrowful absurdity when a valuable cause gets hijacked by some of the same egocentric quislings who foolishly betrayed the destiny of the same people whom they are now outlandishly pretending to rescue. Lackluster leadership has always tormented Anglophones, and curiously the intransigent zealots of our day are even more notoriously haphazard than their forebears who vanished in disgrace.

Let me remind those who premised their argument on the spurious assumption that Southern Cameroons was annexed. Again i say; La Republique never annexed Southern Cameroons. Rather, Southern Cameroons willingly joined La Republique when they never had to in the first place. This is principally the source of my fury, and even more nerve-racking is the fact that this ill-conceived choice was blatantly supported by many!

Yea, hopefully this is an intellectual forum. Therefore people must speak the truth, as it is the lifeblood of piety. History is not an approximation, rather it is an accurately recorded account of events as they occurred.

Sadly though, some secessionist proponents who claim to know history fail to realise that the USSR can never be analogous to Cameroon. The simple reason being that Russia annexed the former Baltic states, whilst La Republique never annexed Southern Cameroons.

Nevertheless, Anglophone emancipation is a relevant and progressive recipe to counter the untold marginalisation in Cameroon. But to distort an historical fact just because we have to justify our struggle is clearly wasteful. Redressing the balance should start by educating Anglophone children (about how shockingly parochial our leaders were, and still are), and by acknowledging and hence addressing the dismal rift that is rife in our midst as Anglophones. Failing to do so, and thus embracing any kind of disengagement from these salient facts will thwart the cause.

No one has the right to tell me to forget how we got where we are today as a people, for it matters to me that i know the truth about what actually happened. Strangly, the same pious people with guiltiness on their consciences, who pour unwarranted invectives on me, and slander my reputation are those who are hypocritically impugning on my integrity, and distorting my message of salvation.

Lastly, to wage a thorough fight, there must be a deep-rooted and ubiquitous conviction, a valuable ingredient which is obviously deficient among the Anglophone community. This is because many people don't see the rational in getting badly hurt or even killed for the blunder of their naive ancestors. But like i said, when push comes to shove, all you separatists must be ready to shed massive litres of blood. Ofcourse, you can't hide in Babylon and run your mouth to send others to their grave.

This is my last word on this forum. Goodluck everbody, and Jah Guide!

[ron]

Mad people in this forum... Bla Bla Bla

[UnitedstatesofAfrica]

Ron
You are not exempted from the madness my friend. Bla bla bla? what are you in? nursery school? comut for here before some man slap you.

[Frank Duru]

This place is filled with a lot of angry people shouting past each other. Unfortunately book learning only inflates the ego turning my people into fat monsters, spiritually and psychologically. We do not know how to listen. The internet only makes it worse . Next time there is a convention on the anglophones or Southern Camerouns, you guys invest some money and attend. Check your egos at the door and discuss with open minds. It is clear that there is a problem, and you guys all care about it but you are all stuck pridefully in your positions. The same problem is on Nigerian forums except that there is more humor scattered around. Is there a comedy deficit among you guys? It really helps, trust me. You take yourselves too damn seriously. There must be a money problem too. People with beaucoup book learning but empty pockets put too much value on their opinions. People who do business are more subtle in their use of language because they do not need to hurt the feelings of a potential business partner. Everyone is a potential business partner.

I shall keep reading, but this my only observation.

[SCNC Follower]

REPORT ON THE CONVICTION AND IMPRISONMENT OF SCNC LEADERS IN MAMFE AND INEVITABLE CHALLENGES POSED TO THE STRUGGLE

Introduction
News of the imprisonment of the National Chairman, Chief Ayamba Ette Otun (82), National Vice Chairman, Nfor Ngala Nfor (57) and Enow Enow John (72) violently hit the air waves like a thunder-bolt. This terrible news caught many off-guard. To many, used to the recurrent dismissing of flimsy charges against SCNC leaders and activists and discharging the accused for want of evidence and/or persistent absence of prosecution witnesses, the news of the imprisonment of the top leaders was like the deliberate act of the devil to close the chapter. Without doubt, while patriotic British Southern Cameroonians cried foul, yet there were some who dining and wining with the enemy had seen the struggle for the restoration of statehood as obstructionist. But this category is far insignificant and within the territory of British Southern Cameroons they will not speak aloud.

But from which ever angle you look at it, history was made in Mamfe on that fateful day May 27, 2009 when after countless adjournments, Magistrate Sokem Ngale Mborh of Mbo clan, la Republique du Cameroun, aided by senior State Counsel Fon Ignatius Mbafor of Batibo, Momo County of Southern Cameroons, and overzealous lackey of the establishment, through fraud and flagrant miscarriage of justice slammed jail sentences on the three SCNC leaders.

After completely failing to sustain the earlier charges, viz, intention to import arms from Nigeria, holding illegal meetings, inciting the population to rebel against government of the Republic, Nfor N. Nfor publishing a subversive book, among others which were amended and new ones brought in several times, in court they fabricated a new charge – "That you … are guilty of administering a foreign organisation in Eyumojock Sub Division contrary to …". On this fraudulent charge we were found guilty and sentenced to five months and to pay 17.500frs each as court charges or serve additional 40 days in jail.

Our able Lawyer, Etta Besong Jr submitted motion for bail and pleaded that an appeal against the judgment would be tabled in two hours.

Having made up his mind to have us jailed, Magistrate Sokem Ngale Mborh overruled that the motion for bail could only be entertained and judgment made on June 3rd 2009. The police van was quickly brought in as the Magistrate retired into chambers announcing ten minutes break. We were ferried to prison to start a new life in solitary confinement.

But was this sun set or some dark clouds before which there is evident silver lining?

The flash of the news by phone created panic in many SCNC faithfuls. To some who did not know how to handle, it was disaster. Confusion turned into a nightmare as we could not be reached by phone. Though we assured Agbor Nfaw, the Mamfe Country Chairman and others to assure all the patriots to remain steadfast and confident and that this was the desperate last kicks of a retreating colonial regime, this imprisonment, first of this kind, to compatriots was a bitter pill to be swallowed let alone taken lightly. But why Mamfe?

But What Lesson For Patriots?
Why in the Southern Zone? Is this imprisonment the making of positive or negative history for the struggle?

Before attempting brief answers to these questions, it is pertinent we try to understand the meaning of the name "Mamfe".

Mamfe is the corrupt spelling of "Mamfei fah" in Banyangi which literally means "let them put it here".

When the British in 1886 finally handed over their territory founded by Alfred Saker following the Berlin Conference of 188415 to Germany, the Germans started their process of establishing their hegemony which was stiffly resisted resulting into wars. When they entered present day Manyu, they first settled in Osidenge. Finding this place not quite suitable they went out in search of a better and more central location. Satisfied with this place, they asked to know the name or what name to call it. The Banyangi Chiefs not understanding, replied "Mamfei fah" i.e. "let them put it (their mark) here". From "Mamfei fah" has come the name of the town "Mamfe".

By the positive stretch of our imagination and patriotic spirit can it be concluded that by the imprisonment of the top leaders of the SCNC, the vanguard liberation movement for the restoration of the statehood and sovereign independence of British Southern Cameroons in "Mamfei fah" this signals the rebirth of the statehood? We must end it or mark it here.

Going back to answer the questions posed above we find mind-tantalising and soul-searching revelations. Is it not said that God works in a mysterious way? And by this mysterious guiding hand mortals are led to transform stumbling stones into stepping stones, the key locking the door into the key opening, and disaster into glorious victory. We are able. In faith and solidarity we can.

Firstly, let it be known that the arrest of Nfor, N. Nfor, Chief Ayamba E. O. and Albert W. Mukong (late) in a transit vehicle on September 27, 2002 from Nigeria, which has so much in store was not the first arbitrary arrest of SCNC leaders, torture and detention in unbearable conditions. It was this arrest that led to my terrible sickness and God's merciful healing beyond many an expectation. This arrest, detention, prolonged trial imposing frequent trips on night mare roads and psychological torture enormously contributed to the death of Albert W. Mukong, the patriarch of British southern Cameroons struggle for freedom and independence in 2004. it was on 27 September 2002 that we were arrested and it was on May 27, 2009 were convicted and imprisoned.

Secondly, it should be recalled that W. O. Effiom as Grand Chancellor of Medals (National Honours) basking vainly in the corridors of power in Yaounde declared that he had banished Chief Ayamba to Bamenda and that there was no SCNC in Manyu. What is most intriguing here is that Effiom living in Yaounde, la Republique du Cameroun and not finding it easy to visit the land of his birth, claimed he sent Chief Ayamba on exile from Mamfe to Bamenda all in Southern Cameroons. But who indeed was on exile, Pa Effiom in la Republique du Cameroun or Chief Ayamba in his native land – British Southern Cameroons?

Thirdly, Chief Tabetando also boasted openly that no one knows and talks of SCNC in Manyu and that his people do not support "secession". But SCNC is not talking of secession. British Southern Cameroons has never been part of la Republique du Cameroun so it cannot be seceding from what it had never been an integral part. Why these fathers cannot take counsel from late E.T. Egbe who with a legal mind declared that there is nothing legal that binds British Southern Cameroons and la Republique du Cameroun together is what disturbs any one with a sound mind.

This case lasting some seven years and ending up in imprisonment of SCNC leaders, has clearly dismissed the lies of Effiom and Chief Tabetando and firmly established the fact that SCNC is waxing strong in Manyu. The records of the Mamfe Court say it loud and clear. Within the seven years some four Magistrates and four State Counsels have filled pages upon pages of court proceedings and thousands have witnessed the proceedings. Without doubt there must be some parents who charmed by the expert display of the knowledge of the law by the SCNC lawyers, especially Barrister Etta Besong Jr must have vowed to have one of their kids graduate as a lawyer to thrill people and reduce sweet toothed and "belletic" State Counsels to Customary Court judges as Etta Besong Jr did when these CPDM agents in borrowed robes defended and preached CPDM politics of "Cameroun being one and indivisible" instead of talking and quoting the law. He had to practically teach them the law at times giving the audience moments for laughter.

The preoccupation of dismissing the British Southern Cameroons struggle led by the SCNC has been the persistent and systematic campaign of CPDM agents. But they forget that you only talk of what is and what you know. No one talks of the unknown. But for the sake of greed and to please their Yaounde mentor and to continue picking the crumbs that fall from the master's table, they talk to themselves believing they are talking to an attentive audience.

These agents who continue to mislead the Yaounde establishment forget that SCNC's birth place is Mount Mary Maternity, Buea. What a fitting birth place for a liberation movement to restore a people and nation to freedom and grandeur!

They forget that it was in this same Buea that on December 30, 1999 Frederick Alobwede Ebong and others declared the restoration of the sovereign independence of British Southern Cameroons and again it was in Buea SCNC leaders were first arrested and detained, January and again in July 2000.

And although there have been more frequent arrests, detentions and court trials in the Northern Zone beginning from Donga Mantung to Bui with Mezam toping the list, it is instructive that Manyu the Southern Zone, tops all in the length of trial, the uniqueness of the charge and finally in the miscarriage of justice to convict the falsely accused SCNC leaders. It is thus worth while giving this cautionary counsel that these Yaounde agents should do their home work before abortively trying to dismiss the SCNC struggle to please their mentor. The SCNC in Manyu and Southern Zone is real and it is here to stay for the freedom and independence of British Southern Cameroonians.

British Southern Cameroons Nationalism and Mamfe in Historical Perspectives
Most interestingly and unpredictably and as if it is the handiwork of the invisible hand, Mamfe springs into lime light when the destiny of the people of this land is at stake, when they are at the crossroads. Indeed when the question of identity, when the question, "who are we?" is provocatively and challengingly put on the table. When the question of identity, when the survival of a community of people held together by common history, culture, language, political experiences, customs and traditions is at stake, an answer to the question, "who are we?" becomes a "Must".

The reason is simple. Human beings do not live by mere instincts. They are moral, spiritual and intellectual beings. These natural characteristics which are reinforced and enhanced by environmental forces and nature of contact with other community of people and lessons drawn from create the consciousness of "we" versus "they".

Through their creative powers they build core values and beliefs which hold that man must not only survive, he must survive in dignity and enjoy the respect of the other human community that is the "they" as of right. Each community of human beings must live and exercise its freedom and interest. In all prehistory and recorded history we have come to learn that no community of human beings, no people bound together by core-values and beliefs that make them distinct from the other tolerate, let alone willingly submit to foreign aggression, domination and alien rule. What holds people together is not a mere name but their core values and beliefs, their cherished history, culture, lawsthat give each the sense of belonging and the collective common identity.

As stated above Mamfe has always sprung to lime light and played a unique role in the history of British Southern Cameroons.

When in 1953 British Southern Cameroons Members of Parliament (MPs) in Enugu and Lagos saw the supreme interest of their fatherland compromised within the Nigerian political system, they were forced to coil inward to answer the inescapable question of "Who are we"? Where are we?" "Where are we going?" "Given present circumstances, what does the future hold for our people?"

In response to the question of identity and destiny, as leaders and representatives of the people, they declared "Benevolent Neutrality" in Nigerian politics and gave up all their rights and privileges.

Conscious of their responsibilities to their people, sensitive to the legitimate aspirations of their people and cognisant of the fact that under international law they were a distinct people and their association with Nigeria was mere creation for "administrative convenience" by UK as the Administering Authority, in addition to this declaration of "Benevolent Neutrality" they convene an all British Southern Cameroons national conference in Mamfe. This conference came out solidly in defense of the distinct identity of British Southern Cameroons and in a Memorandum to H.M. Government demanded for separate government and administration in conformity with British Southern Cameroons status as a UN Trust territory. This Memorandum was conveyed to London by a delegation under the leadership of Dr. E M L Endeley.

Though in the declaration of "Benevolent Neutrality" N. N. Mbile and three others forming the Kamerun People's Party (KPP) stayed on with the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, (NCNC) of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, it is noteworthy that in the demand for separate administration all were unanimous irrespective of party ideology, religion, ethnic affinity or social status. Mbile states "The demand for a Region for the Cameroons was so popular that any one accused of not wishing it earned great unpopularity before most Cameroonians. In later years when Cameroonians had grown to be less gullible, they learnt too late, perhaps, that none after all was any less patriotic towards the fatherland".

With this united front and cognizant of British Southern Cameroons status, H M Government approved the legitimate demand of the people and following Endeley's KNC victory in the elections of October 1953 British Southern Cameroons became a separate Region in October 1954 with its government and House of Assembly based in Buea. This was victory for the people and victory for self determination that led the foundation for British Southern Cameroons statehood. Progress towards the consolidation of British Southern Cameroons identity within Nigeria and internationally was systematic within the norms of statehood thanks to the buoyant democratic culture inherited from the British.

In 1959 British Southern Cameroonians were again faced with the question of their political future. This necessitated the holding of a plebiscite conference in Mamfe attended by all political parties, Natural Rulers, representatives of Councils, representatives of civil society, the colonial administration and the government.

It was at this conference that Fon Achirimbi of Bafut speaking on behalf of the Natural Rulers of the land made the famous statement "We rejected Dr. Endeley because he wanted to take us to Nigeria. If Mr. Foncha tries to take us to French Cameroun we shall also run away from him. To me French Cameroun is fire and Nigeria is water. Sir, support secession without unification", (emphasis, mine),

What was responsible for the recurrence of this question of identity and political destiny in British Southern Cameroons?
Firstly, this was a recurrent issue because as a UN trust under UK Administration the people were not in full control of their national and international affairs. This was compounded by UK's failure to administer the trust territory separately as it administered Tanganyika.

Secondly, UK, the Administering Authority that in 1958 declared at the UN that British Southern Cameroons was ripe for independence and would in 1960 achieve the objectives set out in Art. 76(b) of the UN Charter, namely, "self-government or independence", changed its position and argued that the "territory was small and economically unviable to stand on its own".

Since this Mamfe plebiscite conference failed to unite all the people on a common position as it was in 1953, the Administering Authority seized the liberty to take the question of political future to the UN which was tele-guided to impose the two obnoxious questions, either to enjoy independence with Nigeria or Cameroun Republique denying the people the third option, namely, separate sovereign independence.

By this act the right to freely choose thus genuine self determination which should be completely free of external influence, interference and manipulation was postponed. Without doubt the mission of the SCNC is to accomplish the unfinished mission of British Southern Cameroons nationalism which should achieves freedom and sovereign independence for the people and the country.

As Mamfe was in the lime light in 1953 and later in 1959 so did it again come to fifty years later, namely, May 27, 2009, when leaders were convicted and imprisoned for administering a foreign organization, namely, the SCNC in Eyumojock, Manyu County.

Mamfe which is currently referred to as Manyu, played frontline role in commerce and national political life of British Southern Cameroons thanks to its direct link to Nigeria by road and the Cross River which was navigable by boat from Calabar right up to Mamfe itself. Mamfe developed into a junction town and centre of civilization in British Southern Cameroons.

With UN sponsored plebiscite and based on false promises Mamfe voted overwhelmingly for unification. But as if this act of theirs was the most heinous crime Mamfe (Manyu) has been punished so badly by Yaounde. Manyu is more or less a no-go-land. It has remained enclave and in the rainy season transformed into an island. Akwaya, the oldest sub division can only be reached by passing through Nigeria. In late April 2009 I had the opportunity of introducing a friend from Akwaya to colleagues in the SCNC National Secretariat, Bamenda. It was like receiving a stranger from the moon and everyone was curious to hear him tell them about Akwaya. It sounds like a fairy tale but that is the reality. What Mamfe has suffered as a consequence of this so-called unification, which gives the true picture of British Southern Cameroons, can only be compared with a fifteen year old boy in perfect health suddenly knocked down by a terrible disease that renders him a cripple.

How possible is it then that Mamfe which was the veritable white horse of British Southern Cameroons nationalism and politics could afford to become the dark horse of the restoration struggle? Nature's hand of justice will not permit. Will Mamfe make it happen as in 1953 or will it mar?

Conclusion
As the conviction of Nelson Mandela and compatriots in South Africa injected a revolutionary spirit in the ANC so must this b with the conviction of SCNC leaders.. People had grown used to arrests, detentions, trials and the accused discharged and acquitted for want of evidence. But this time, in the furtherance of imperial interest, it was persecution of the accused and not prosecution in conformity with the law.

As British Southern Cameroons is not an island but part of the world, so must the SCNC struggle for freedom and justice face the challenges which others before have. Remember that in apartheid South Africa, the Minority White rule declared the ANC illegal and a terrorist organization. In British Southern Cameroons the annexationist Yaounde regime having imposed neo-apartheid has declared the SCNC illegal. Their agents carry out a diabolic sinister campaign to paint the SCNC as a terrorist organization. At the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) Minister Dion Ngute, a lackey of the establishment blowing the master's trumpet, told the Commission that the SCNC is a terrorist organization and should not have, in the first place, be granted audience by the Commission.

To his greatest surprise the President asked him, "Mr. Minister, do terrorists come to Court?"

Not satisfied with such humiliating defeat, he picked up on another lame argument; "The SCNC is not recognized. It is not registered by our government".

The President of the Commission asked him again, "Mr. Minister where in the world have you had an organization fighting for freedom recognized by the government?"

Younde's campaign to mislead the world about the true nature of the SCNC will fail as apartheid regime's efforts failed in South Africa. The SCNC is a Non-violent liberation movement. It is led by law-abiding and peace-loving people. We love humanity, but we hate servitude and injustice. We believe man enjoys and exercises his full potentials only in freedom and justice. It is on this premise we, like Nelson Mandela and the ANC, have vowed "Never to compromise! Never to retreat! Never to surrender!"

We fervently believe in our mission; a mission for a better humanity and a peace loving world. As Mandela and the ANC defeated apartheid in South Africa, so will the SCNC defeat neo-apartheid in British Southern Cameroons.

How could SCNC be termed a foreign organization in British Southern Cameroons? From Donga Mantung in the north to Fako in the south, SCNC leaders have been in and out of various courts. The SCNC and SCAPO have sued la Republique du Cameroun in the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), Banjul, The Gambia and Yaounde is defended by a team of lawyers led by a government Minister, namely, Mr. Dion Ngute. In all these, SCNC's identity and ordained mission has never been contested. Why in Mamfe?

The lesson that should be learnt from this conviction is simple. By terming the SCNC a foreign organisation, Yaounde used the court, an extension of the Presidency, to declare to the world that it has annexed and occupied British Southern Cameroons for good. Consequently as the conviction of Nelson Mandela convinced ANC faithfuls and black South Africans that the white minority rule is determined to forever impose apartheid and they never surrendered so must be with the SCNC. They became far more determined and focused on their ultimate goal, namely, down with apartheid for democracy, freedom, justice to reign through one man, one vote and majority rule in South Africa. Had Nelson Mandela not stood for what he fervently believed and suffered in prison, apartheid would have still been in South Africa. Until some thing dies, nothing grows. A seed that germinates from the dead seed is always more buoyant and greater in quality and quantity than the seed that was planted.

Isn't Mandela's South Africa a force to be reckoned with on the African continent? Is every South African not free and proud to be a South African?

The conviction and imprisonment of SCNC leaders should awaken a new consciousness in British Southern Cameroonians to unite behind the SCNC to overthrow neo-apartheid and restore the statehood and sovereign independence of British Southern Cameroons, the guarantor of the people's inherent rights to freedom, equality, dignity, prosperity and happiness. No slave, no colonised has ever lived in dignity ; he seizes his rights to freedom and dignity through positive action.

This imprisonment of our leaders must serve as a moral, spiritual, psychological and physical stimulant to energise us into collective positive action. Rather than be-mourn, we must see it as a medal to the SCNC for the fact that it will clearly convince the international community that President Paul Biya's Cameroun is indeed sitting on a time bomb.

It is by persistent and systematic decisive and focused action and pressure on the coloniser that will convince the international community that British Southern Cameroonians uncompromisingly mean business. It is this that will force them take the struggle serious. No one whose interest is threatened treats you as a joker.

Sovereign independence to any people and territory recognised under international law is an inherent and inalienable right and not a privilege. No people under foreign domination and alien rule have ever lived in freedom, peace, justice and exploited their natural wealth for their wellbeing. Slaves bequeath servitude to their descendants. But free men bequeath a rich and proud legacy to their descendants and contribute to human progress and a better world. British Southern Cameroons, like Namibia, Estonia, East Timor, Eritrea, among others, in accordance with international principles and good conscience, must occupy its deserved place in history.



For the SCNC Prisoners Of Conscience and the SCNC,

Nfor Ngala Nfor
Bamenda,
British Southern Cameroons
June 1o, 2009

[lumumba]

The Peace-loving people, i salute you all.
The facts are all very clear that we've been manipulated for so long but the struggle is not for the weak and fragile hearts.The world doesn't know so much about our struggles or they are just pretending since they got something to gain from the problems in Cameroon.
The angle that i want to take is in the form of film/documentary for the world to cameroun.
So i'm begging on comrades to send me articles that i can work with to produced a documentary.
I got personal experiences about my brutalisation and the suppression of my Identity as an Anglophone Cameroonian.
I can be reached at [email protected]
I'm against any forms of domination. I rest my case. lets make this work!!Aluta continua!!
Lumumba!!

[ugg boots]

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[JamiBrennan]

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