Editorial

Over the last days, the Southern Cameroons Internetosphere has been washed with the news that the outlawed Consortium leaders Barrister Balla and Dr. Fontem shall be Released conditionally. Though we have not heard from their lawyers directly, the people of Southern Cameroons based their reactions on Ashu Nyenty's declaration over the state radio CRTV wherein he explained what a Conditional Release will mean for this two leaders. We do not yet know if the lawyers have engaged in any such negotiations or if they are going to accept such conditional bail come 7th June, 2017.

Considering the fact that every Southern Cameroonian is emotionally attached to this struggle, their reactions over such a News is understandable and welcome. We do not expect people to fold their arms and not debate such. Debating is part of the Anglo Saxon culture. However, it should be recalled that there is none who will not want to see our leaders out. Staying in jail is never a good thing. This morning, Mr. Chris Anu of the Cameroon Journal, sent out an editorial why Balla and Fontem must reject any Conditional Release and public opinion agrees that releasing any of them conditionally will be bad not only to themselves but also to those in jail. 

It should also be recalled that the ban on the outlawed Consortium has not been reversed. The Cameroun Government as of the 17th January, 2017 considers the Consortium illegal through it ban. Should the Consortium leaders be out Conditionally, they won't be able to assume their role of the consortium. Conditional release will subscribe to judicial supervision which is like a house arrest.

We cannot really start throwing stones on this or on our leaders because the lawyers of our leaders have not spoken and we do not yet know the conditions. Be it as it may, we the people of Southern Cameroons, political figures, international organisations and bodies have all called for the unconditional release of our leaders. This is so because they were and are not criminals. Our leaders must not should La Republique gives such conditions loose the power in them. Whatever conditions accepted must be that which put the people of Southern Cameroons first.

I know it is difficult to accept because these leaders have families and their own self to take care off but he who put his/her hands in the plough must not be ready to look back. Before we engaged in this struggle we knew the repressive nature of the Cameroun regime. The Lawyers and teachers who started this revolution in 2016 knew the type of Government we are dealing with. Before the consortium leaders called for ghost towns, two states federation, boycotts of 11th February and 20th May, they knew the repressive nature of the regime. Before Mancho went out with the coffin, he knew the repressive nature of the regime. Before Ayah was talking and preaching he knew. None of our leaders were taken by surprise. They knew the nature of this regime and I guess it is something they should be prepared because they carry now the weight of former British Southern Cameroons. It was not going to be easy. Yes, they knew what they were getting into.

No one man is more than the aspirations of Southern Cameroons and the people shall not accept any compromise from any leader or leaders who sort to take us back to the collapsed status quo. The Southern Cameroons people shall not also accept the release of few while others remain in jail. This is a song we have been singing for months. The news flying over the internet that few will be bailed out because of a known abode, profession or respected people of the society is aching to the marrow. We are not fools. Before La Republique arrested our people and charged them as terrorists, didn't they know they were and are respected people in the society? Are the "commoners" in jail not known by their abode, professions etc? Therefore, our mantra that all must be released must continue. The release of few and others in jail will solve nothing and no one will hear from those released if they don't speak the language of the people.

This struggle is not a child's play and any leader or front line activists engaging in this must have known that it is not for fun or popularity contest. It is DO or Die something. I, Mark Bareta earlier declared that I have killed all emotional, psychological, spiritual, sexual , financial etc attachments as such I am fully engage into this struggle in such a way that only death will stop me from this struggle. I am aware that I can be killed tomorrow, arrested etc. I know I have sacrificed my going home to the Cameroons until restoration and therefore I have no regrets. Yes, I knew what I was getting into, therefore all front line leaders and activists must understand the danger they are into against an organised criminal state of La Republique. We have collectively lived as prisoners for 56 years under the bondage of La Republique. We must break the chain now.

Therefore, as we push for other issues to take the struggle ahead, our only major concern now is fighting for the unconditional release of all our people in jail and not some conditional release of a selected few. A Conditional Release is worse than prison in itself. It gives more talking points to La Republique and condemns the rest in jail as criminals. The rest who are in there because they listened to the directives of the consortium leaders.

The people of Southern Cameroons are not expecting to receive their leaders who will come out and be mute. We expect our leaders to come out and continue where they stopped. It could be in the form of dialogue, meetings, tours and social media activism that's why they must be released unconditionally. We don't want to see a leader released conditionally and can't even give a press interview. Such a leader does not promote the struggle in anyway. We should have known what took us into this thing and be prepared to take it to the logical end.

Also, the arguments by some that people who are against their conditional release should replace them in jail is so childish and weak minded. Everyone whether home or abroad and even the unborn have a role to play. Distance has never been a barrier. We are separated by rivers and oceans but bonded by a common vision to see a free Southern Cameroons. The strike didn't meet us in Southern Cameroons and we ran abroad. This strike met us at our respective destinations and we embraced it fully. For those who escaped police arrest and went to Nigeria or USA was a tactical move to not have killed the struggle and while out we still see their huge contributions. We are called upon to play our role in the struggle whether home or abroad and we must put the people's interest first.

There is no turning back. No forgiveness for anyone who will compromise this winning struggle.

Freedom Ghost Towns continue Monday 29th, 2017.

This is Mark Bareta, From Bui County and I approve this message.

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Rita Akana

28.May.2017

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GUILTY PLEASURE

When I was a little boy, the anticipation that surrounded an upcoming 20th May celebration was eclectic, contagious, patriotic and transcended provincial and now regional boundaries. I must confess here that white converse shoes, white socks, well pressed khaki shorts, blue shirts and dresses for boys and girls respectively and of varied shades of blue depending on the school, reminds me of some of my best days - when
I didn't have to pay any rent, pay for my own food, buy my own books or pay tuition fees, neither did I have to understand the true meaning behind the 20th May celebrations or anything to do with politics. We just anticipated a day out when we could have as many Ice lollies aka "alaska", Ice creams, Yoghurt , "amiss girls", and bread and sardines sandwiches as possible. A day that those who were as talented as my friend Peter Ngam, would be part of the school gymnastic team competing against other schools in acrobatic jumps and synchronised gymnastic manoeuvres.

For someone like myself who was more into athletics and performance, it was the day that I would take the spotlight in my fancy outfit holding a staff painted in Green Red Yellow and a yellow star in the middle - as the conductor of the school band that would be leading the March and perform for the Divisional Officer and other dignitaries in front of the "Grand stand". I do miss being that little boy, so clearly these are still guilty pleasures, however, I have no remorse today to have been amongst many comrades who played an influential role in the campaign that saw 20th May 2017 boycotted by the youths of Southern Cameroons. I did that for two reasons:

1. ILLEGITIMATE: 20th May is illegitimate because it celebrates a day in 1972, that Southern Cameroons was militarised by soldiers from "La Republic" who directly and indirectly intimidated and forced our people to vote in a staged Referendum that saw the end of The Federal Republic of Cameroon.
2. MARGINALISATION: 20th May celebration is a tactic to enhance marginalisation and exploitation. It is a fabrication designed to conceal our true history from our people because our history clearly spells that "The People of Southern Cameroons are a People". NB. To fully understand all of this, please read my previous post on Facebook on why we should not celebrate 20th May.

SUCCESS

Our campaign to boycott the event this year in Southern Cameroons was absolutely reciprocated with positive reactions all over our territory, with the North West Regions demonstration of exceptional commitment as always. As we expected, the turnout was pathetic and a national disgrace, as our brave people who are now swimming in a sea dominated by waves of political consciousness once more sent a clear message to La Republic- that the truth behind their schematic moves has been unearthed, spread throughout Southern Cameroons, and internationlised via our numerous platforms and networks. The people of Southern Cameroons would no longer participate in a national day dominated by national division. We would no longer celebrate a day that saw an end to the advancement of democratic values, a day that clearly made official, the enslavement of our people and exploitation of our resources.

20th May was a day that both the young and old effortlessly took time off to indulge in celebrations, but this time around, "La Republic" had to militarise our counties, intimidate, bribe, blackmail and force our people to engage in the celebrations dressed in CPDM uniforms thereby embarrassingly turning a supposedly national day into a national CPDM parade day, led by the first lady herself as seen in her outfit at "Boulevard de 20 Mai " in Yaounde.

GLITCHES YET MORE SUCCESS

But for a few glitches here and there, following the participation of those who were intimidated to take part in the events, especially in Mamfe, our campaign recorded yet another milestone victory towards restoration. So long as we stay united and support Southern Cameroons Ambazonia Consortium United Front better known by it's acronym; SCACUF, so long as we stay committed to civil disobedience and continue to support our leaders who have been illegally detained, we would soon be celebrating our real national day which remains 1st October.

If you are angry that you have been celebrating a fake national day throughout your life, I am about to make you even upset by letting you know that Ahidjo's decision to adopt 20th May as our national day was also influenced by romantic impulses. It is known that one of the reasons he handpicked the day was because it was the birthday of his beloved wife Germaine Ahidjo. Thus, our national day was offered to her as one of the numerous gifts that Ahidjo often showered her with on her birthday. Fellow Southern Cameroonians, we are winning on many fronts and taking our own future into our hands. Please continue reading, sharing, and update yourself about our history. This is not a coincidence, so anyone who celebrated a former presidents wife birthday as their national day should ask themselves many questions including the one below. It is another perfect summation of the success of our "boycott 20th May" campaign which all Southern Cameroons based opposition parties including the Social Democratic Front (SDF) also respected.

1. Why is that for the first time in three and a half decades, Paul Biya didn't read the 20th May speech?

Adjani
Lower Manyu County
......................................................................
Freelance political analyst,

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Adjani, Lower Manyu County

21.May.2017

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After watching the coverage of the 20th May Celebrations on CRTV and listening to various counts from our people in various counties, it’s safe to say we the people of Southern Cameroons sent out a message that was LOUD and CLEAR to La Republique: WE ARE NOT CELEBRATING A FAKE UNION. OUR RESOLVE REMAINS UNSHAKEN. 20th MAY IS NOT THE NATIONAL DAY OF SOUTHERN CAMEROONS!
Our people respected the Ghost Towns to a large extent (Except for a few counties where LRC managed to influence and coerce people into marching). In general, the people made their voices heard by not showing up or sending their children into the streets to march in the rain or sun for a celebration that never was.

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Jerome Ngwa

21.May.2017

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The reaction of Cameroonians to men in uniform is as, alarming, old and threatening as the presence of colonial masters in Africa and Cameroon (in particular).

But as Cameroon celebrates National “Unity” Day, things are losing their masks gradually.

The Ministry of Defence has invited and urged Cameroonians to go closer to men in uniform at the 101 air base in Yaounde in a bit to understand how they operate. This, they say, is to make the military a little familiar with civilians, in line with the theme of this year’s National Day  which entails harmony between the military and civilians.

Through this encounter, most Cameroonians will fall in love with the profession and join it as soon as possible. This is another objective of the move.

However, the secrets of the corps will not be revealed to civilians, the message reiterates. 

This is a wonderful move to be lauded by many, especially those who have had any dark memory about the men in uniform in Cameroon.

People who have had a foretaste of the brutal presence of the “white man” in Africa may tell you better.

I can still recall a certain day when a friend recounted a hyper-shocking story to me. That was in 2012 in Ndop (North West Region).

A certain member of the Rapid Intervention Brigade (BIR) had returned home for a break just to find out that his sister was pregnant.

Without any delay, he took matters into his own hands and gave the author of the pregnancy the kind of cruel beating that only Jesus Christ can explain its twists and turns.

He was a “BIR” and nothing could be done against him.

The same drama happened in a village in the same Region, not far from Ndop, after all.

Another “BIR” beat a man to death on the grounds that the latter had made his sister pregnant.

In fact, these two are just isolated cases in a line of uncountable life stories.

The presence of men in uniform can only be likened to the dreadful thought of hellfire, for Christians, most importantly in rural areas where most people do not know their rights.

We may not have to cite cases in our village where people just offer drinks to gendarme officers like water flowing down a river. And to an outsider, it gives the impression that the villagers are generous to a fault, even more than the Bible recommends. 

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Rita Akana

19.May.2017

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Surprises have never ceased to be occurrent in Cameroon through Cameroon Radio and Television Channel. Yesterday the 15th of May 2017,another drama was staged by CRTV dramatists. They interviewed a Bamilike in Kumba who said he has lived in Kumba for fifty years and another Hausa from the North was interviewed from Old Town Bamenda,who equally said he has lived in Abakwa for twenty years.

I want to remind that Junk of a Journalist to understand the following dynamics and truths:

The Bamilikees were forced to resettle across the Mungo and precisely in areas around the erstwhile Southern Cameroons because of the heavy hand of La Republique Du Cameroun on them that was aimed at completely wiping them out from the surface of the earth.
Hausas across the World come from Nigeria and as migrants who settled in Abakwa in 1910,one cannot call them strangers.  

We cannot afford to say that because French men and women who have lived in Britain for centuries can today say they are Britons?

This falsification and manipulation cannot be given a pass mark by any right minded and right thinking Cameroon nor does it hand wink international public opinion.

Why did the CRTV not brandish the binding treaty that ratifies the two Cameroons and nullifying the Internationally recognized Simeon-Miller Agreement separating French Cameroun and British Cameroon?

Can CRTV be bold enough to trace our historical trajectories and call each word and pronounce each statement or sentence just as it is supposed to be read?

Can CRTV be bold enough to criticise the crab across Cameroon that passes for translations on bail boards whereas we purportedly have A School of Translators and Interpreters?

Can CRTV tell us how can it be possible to be harping on the relevance of the much trumpeted 20th May farse in the name of National day,when we all know that it was meant for the United Republic of Cameroon, wheras today it's that French Cameroun that obtained its independence from France that is celebrating it.Jointly celebrating it alongside Anglophones is fraudulent and posses as a checkered history.  

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Rita Akana

16.May.2017

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Twenteith of May 1972 was and remains a farse and today falsehood must be debunked and killed. Cameroon remains a state that venerates falsehood and deceit .
It's on record and history can attest that the Fifteith anniversary of reunification was celebrated in Buea wheras the format of the state that was born as a result of the 11th of February 1961 masquerade had been ruined.
Celebrating May 20th as national day across the Cameroon's is show casing falsehood,deception and manipulative tendencies.  

I have never seen a situation where by a couple instead of celebrating their respective birthdates start celebrating their wedding day as an upper most event.
Furthermore we cannot continue to fool ourselves by celebrating Germain Ahidhjo' s birthdate. Its time enough for us to remove the saw dust from our eyes.

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Rita Akana

14.May.2017

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