Exclusive Interview with General Nambere: Inside the Ambazonian Struggle

This conversation delves into the roots of the conflict, the misrepresentation of the Ambazonian struggle, and the complex dynamics that continue to fuel one of Africa’s most entrenched conflicts.

As a former soldier of the Cameroon military and later a key figure in the Ambazonian Restoration Movement, General Nambere offers an insider’s perspective on the war’s origins, its escalation, and the humanitarian atrocities that have marred the region. His personal narrative reflects the tragic transformation of a political struggle into an armed rebellion, all while staying true to the fundamental cause: the restoration of the statehood of Ambazonia.

The Struggle for Ambazonian Statehood

The crisis, as General Nambere explains, was never about secession or independence but rather the restoration of the sovereignty of the former British Southern Cameroons, a region that was granted independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1961. This is a key distinction that has often been obscured in media reports.

It is crucial to understand that Ambazonia—comprising what was once the British-controlled territory of Southern Cameroons—has always had its independence. Following the UN Resolution 1608 (XV), the people of Ambazonia entered into a union with French Cameroon in 1961 under a federal system, which recognized their distinct political, cultural, and legal status. However, the federal structure was later dismantled, and the legal recognition of Ambazonia’s statehood was eroded.

The 1961 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Cameroon provided for the coexistence of the two regions under equal terms, a provision that has been disregarded since the 1970s when the government of Cameroon began to centralize power and undermine the rights of the Anglophone regions. As General Nambere notes, the fight is not for independence, but for the restoration of the sovereignty of Ambazonia, which was unlawfully dissolved when the federal system was replaced by a unitary state.

The struggle for Ambazonian statehood has its roots in this history of broken promises and systemic disenfranchisement. Cameroon Restoration Law 84/01, and the Bamenda High Court Judgment HCB/28/92, all underscore the legal framework that supports the existence of Ambazonia as a self-determined entity under international law.

The Rise of the Armed Struggle

General Nambere’s path into the armed resistance came from personal loss and disillusionment. He recalls the brutal violence inflicted on his sister by government forces in the university town of Buea in 2016, which catalyzed his decision to join the movement. This violence, including sexual assault and extrajudicial killings by government forces, served as a painful reminder of the Cameroon government's disregard for the rights of Anglophones.

As General Nambere describes, the uprising began as a peaceful protest by teachers and lawyers in the Anglophone regions calling for greater autonomy and the protection of their rights. However, the Cameroon government responded with brutal repression, escalating the situation into an armed conflict.

This escalation was not the result of a desire for separatism but rather a desperate attempt to defend Ambazonian sovereignty. The Bamenda High Court Judgment has affirmed that the Anglophone regions' integration into the state of Cameroon has been one of coercion, as their legal and political rights were continually undermined. From 2016, the Ambazonian restorationists, or rebels, took up arms to restore the statehood of Ambazonia, according to the terms set by international law and Cameroon’s own legal system.

The Role of Atanga Nji and the Cameroonian Government

During the interview, General Nambere accuses Atanga Nji, Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, of backing armed groups that operate in the Anglophone regions, a claim he believes is central to understanding the complexities of the conflict. According to Nambere, the Cameroonian government’s involvement in creating militia groups to counter the Ambazonian forces is part of a broader strategy to undermine the peaceful restoration movement and sustain the narrative that the fight is one of secession.

The alleged involvement of the government in arming these militias raises serious questions about the Cameroonian government's commitment to peace and stability. Nambere points to this "mafia" within the government as a key driver of violence, complicating any hope of dialogue.

The UN Article 76b and CCPR/C/83/D/1134/2002 (10 May 2005) support the right of people under colonial rule to self-determination and protection from military occupation or violent subjugation. This is a principle that Ambazonians feel has been violated by the current government of Cameroon, which is accused of treating them as second-class citizens in their own land.

Moving Toward a Solution

Despite the tragic loss of life and the devastation caused by the ongoing conflict, General Nambere emphasizes the importance of a peaceful solution based on recognition of the legal status of Ambazonia. He argues that the Cameroonian government must acknowledge the terms of the 1961 Constitution and return to the federal structure that was agreed upon during the union between the two regions.

A potential solution, according to Nambere, lies in recognizing the Ambazonian Restoration Movement as the legitimate representative of the people of Southern Cameroons. He suggests that an international brokered dialogue could lead to a fair resolution that honors both the Bamenda High Court Judgment and the Cameroun Restoration Law 84/01, ensuring that the sovereignty of Ambazonia is restored.

Conclusion

The story of General Nambere and the Ambazonian struggle is one of loss, injustice, and resilience. The Ambazonians are not fighting for secession, but rather for the restoration of their statehood—a statehood that was granted to them by international law and subsequently violated by the actions of the government of Cameroon. The legal frameworks outlined in the 1961 Constitution, UN Resolution 1608, and Bamenda High Court Judgments are clear: the people of Ambazonia are fighting to restore their rightful independence, not create a new one.

The international community, especially through the United Nations and African Union, must play a critical role in mediating a solution that upholds the legal rights of the Ambazonian people. As General Nambere explains, the struggle is about justice, and restoring the statehood of Ambazonia is not just a political issue—it is a matter of historical and legal truth.