Book Review: British Southern Cameroons Journey Towards Complete Decolonization

Martin Ayong Ayim. (2010) Former British Southern Cameroons Journey Towards Complete Decolonization, Independence, and Sovereignty: A Comprehensive Compilation of Efforts. Vols 1 & 2. Available from Authorhouse.

GRAMBLING, La. – Dr. Martin Ayong Ayim has long been involved in the struggle for the independence and sovereignty of Southern Cameroons, a former British colony in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa. His new book on the subject is encyclopedic in scope, totaling more than 1,300 pages in two interesting volumes.

Former British Southern Cameroons Journey Towards Complete Decolonization, Independence, and Sovereignty: A Comprehensive Compilation of Efforts, Vols. One and Two (published by AuthorHouse) is the meticulous account of the quest since 1985 for self-determination by the inhabitants of British Southern Cameroons.

From 1954 to 1961, British Southern Cameroons had a fully functional, democratically elected government headed by a Prime Minister. All that remained was for the United Kingdom to transfer power to this elected government in order to complete the decolonization process. But, things have not gone that simply, and this territory remains annexed and recolonized against the wishes of the people with no ACT of UNION according to UN Article 102 (I & II) between La Republique du Cameroun and the Former British Southern Cameroons.

Ayim compiles a mosaic documenting this struggle for independence that includes write-ups and press releases from all British Southern Cameroons liberation groups from the New Social Order of 1985 to date, write-ups from the Southern Cameroons Civil Society, AAC I and AAC II of 1993/1994, the Signature Referendum of 1995, Buea Peace Initiative, the UN Mission of 1995, and commentary from French Cameroun Civil Society and politicians. In addition, these comprehensive volumes contain appendices about the United Nations system (in particular the Department of Political Affairs) and the British Southern Cameroons Constitution Orders-in-Council of 1960. Volume One contains the ACHPR C266 Verdict and reactions.

Former British Southern Cameroons Journey Towards Complete Decolonization, Independence, and Sovereignty is the story of how a trust to lead a people to independence was breached, and the country is instead recolonized by another African country, violating its boundaries at independence (AU Constitutive Act Article 4(b). British Southern Cameroons was dismembered and, instead of joining the comity of free nations, it was obliterated altogether from the world map.

Restoration of the British Southern Cameroons is grounded in international law, Ayim argues. “It is an error that the UN must correct to decolonize the former British Southern Cameroons, which is being annexed, occupied, and recolonized by another Former UN Trust Territory, La Republique du Cameroun.”

Dr. Martin Ayong Ayim is a Professor of Health Education in the Department of Kinesiology, Sport and Leisure Studies at Grambling State University in Louisiana. He is a human rights activist and dedicated supporter of the independence and sovereignty of the former British Southern Cameroons. After ineffective stints with other groups, he joined the Southern Cameroons Peoples Organization in 2004, and he was appointed as Secretary General and Spokesperson Diaspora (US, UK and UN) in Sept. 2006. In 2007, he was appointed as Secretary General in the British Southern Cameroons Restoration Government led by Professor Carlson Anyangwe. Ayim firmly believes that the United Nations and United Kingdom erred in the termination of the UN Trusteeship of Southern Cameroons in violation of all UN Articles and Resolutions, notably UN Art. 102 (I, II), UN Res.1608 (XV), UN RES. 1514 (XV) of Dec. 14, 1960, and UN Art. 76(b). Ayim calls on the United Nations to completely decolonize the Former British Southern Cameroons during this decade of decolonization, and grant it unconditional Independence and Sovereignty, to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.

http://books.google.com/books?id=8OYUcP8ccwAC&lpg=PP1&dq=anyangwe&lr=&as_brr=3&rview=1&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=&f=falsehttp://books.google.com/books?id=8OYUcP8ccwAC&lpg=PP1&dq=anyangwe&lr=&as_brr=3&rview=1&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Comments

[dango tumma]

this is good for evry southern cameroonian and any level headed citizen of la rep du cameroun (cameroon) to learn our history and course, why we fight what we fight and why our independence is infact a good thing for cameroon one freedom from france.

[Unknown]

I have a question. when will my people become independent? Ambazonia forever.

[Paa Ngembus]

This is a very commendable effort by Dr. Ayim.

I know many of my Southern Cameroonian armchair critics will say Dr. Ayim only took other people's work and strung it together, but it is still scholarship.

At least we now have a single reference document that assembles all our importand documents.

Even though at times I think Dr. Ayim is confused as I see him move from SCNC to SCYL to SCAPO to Ambazonia, I must say kudos to him on this one.

Bravo Dr. Ayim.

A+

Paa Ngembus
THE SOUTHERN CAMEROONS SHALL BE DECOLONIZED BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY

[Pa Tamukong Thomas N.]

Great job Dr. Ayim. I doff you my hat in respect and praise for a job well done.

[Mbuli Rene]

This is a very good piece. It is an added effort to our common objective. With God by our side , the Southern Cameroons will gain its independence. Darkness may tarry for a while , but sunshine will come in the morning.

[Toivi]

Honour to this great intellectual charge.
Who says the Gods of nature slumber?

[Nji]

Where is the independence here if the South and North West is still described as "British Cameroon".Let those who promote the idea of the so call "British Cameroon" go and read history again.Agaisnt all odds Southern Cameroon was handed indireclty to France by the British. That is, before the plebicite the French and the British had already decided that Southern Cameroon will be handed to fomer president Amadou Ahidjo because Cameroon was under the French influence.DeGaule called the result of the plebicite a gift from the queen of Engalnd.This just means that there was a conspiracy between France and British to hand Southern Cameroon (SC) to the French.Our politicians much remove the word British when describing SC it too ingnorant on their part to call SC "British Cameroon"

[Paa Ngembus]

Nji,

Stop this foolish Ambzonia propaganda.

When we gain the independence we shalll change the country's name.

For now "The Southern Cameroons" is the only legally recognized entity anywhere.

Are you Ambazonians so stupid you are incapable of understanding simple logic?

Are you even aware that the name "Ambazonia - Ambosie Zone" is coined from a derogatory Portuguese reference to "black cannibals" in the Bights of Biafra & Guinea in the 1600/1700s?

This your argument is worn out, tired and annoying.

Do something better to advance (instead of retard) the Cause, will you.

A+

Paa Ngembus
THE SOUTHERN CAMEROONS SHALL BE INDEPENDENT BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.