EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE THROUGH ORGANISED DEBATES ON SOCIAL MEDIA, CHANGING ITS FORM FROM FORCE TO REASON.

The Force of Argument and not the Argument of force. Changing the Cameroons social media debate form from force to reason.

In an intellectual exchange that took place between young Leaders of The Cameroons, comprising of; Ateh Thompson, Mark Bareta, Atanga Marcelius, Arrey Martins, Akoson Raymond and Ashu Shamy, reacting to an article published by Ateh Thompson about the reasons and benefits for AFRICA increasing business relations with China at this time of China’s currency, the Yuan has been devalued by 4.4%.

ATEH THOMPSON

ASHU SHAMY

BARA MARK

  

AKOSON RAYMOND

ATANGA MARCELIUS

ARREYMARTINS

                 INTRODUCTION

This piece of compilation sets forth a series of facts and personal view points that can educate people, students, researchers, economists, government policies and nations on how to react to the devaluation of the chinese yuan, vis a vis the conduct of trade deals between Africa as an emerging economy with China. The debate does not set out to cast out any anger or bitterness to every view advanced, but it simply an intellectual exchange. A closer follow up of the debate will take us into a deeper understanding on how to carry out a constructive debate in various platforms; the social media especially Facebook, TV, radio and any other platform. This exchange shows that in a well-organized intellectual setting, persons could drop out the force of argument and adopt the argument of force and reason.

THE CORE OF THE DEBATE  

Ateh Thompson observed in his article that, upon all the times Africa has been into trade with China, this is the best moment Africa could reap huge benefits from such business relations. He stated thus; “........doing business with China has never been more better.Go for it now Advanced so many reasons why this assertion is true and why African economies should go for it, more than ever before.  It is good business!". Ateh.

The underlying reasons for this exchange were to confirm the veracity of Ateh’s declaration that indeed, the devaluation of the Yuan provides a better business opportunity for African countries dealing with China. Whereas, contrast to that assertion that; such a statement is not apt, and so, it wouldn’t be advisable for Africans to intensify business deals with China at during this devaluation period, necessitated the debate that followed. The point of Objection was sponsored by Ashu Shamy.

 Reacting to Ateh’s post, Ashu Shamy, made the first reaction and reacted directly to the assertion. Ashu reacted to as such; 

ASHU:

“You've put it so well and your analyses are superb. Let me come closer to your most authoritative assertion It is true the devaluation of the Chinese Yuan currently has no direct impact(s) on the African economies and Cameroon in particular. And as a true economist that you are, it is quite convincing to state as such... This is very true sir. I couldn't have argued or agreed further. But from a layman's point of view as mine, I do believe that….such benefits will only sustain but in  short and not in the long run…bearing in mind that the goods are priced in USD and not yuan, it will be expensive for China to buy our African raw materials as rubber, platinum copper etc. The inability to purchase these raw materials will cause a huge decrease in demand and the demand curve will be shifted to the left. Meaning while our economies will suffer heavily from poor supplies due to the reduction in demand from China causing a complete shift of the supply curve to the left. We know the direct implications of that in Macro economics".

Mr Mark Bareta, came forth with his reaction. He put this forth;  

Bara Mark:

“if African goods are price in the dollar, this means you have less dollar, you buy more yuan then that means buying more goods…that means more goods will be exported from China, the higher more goods are exported, its economy becomes buoyant. The problem is that, how would these goods bought cheaper than before influence homemade products? Therefore government which catching on this devaluation should protect local home made products and companies".

Coming back to the point, Mr Ateh reacts quickly. He said:

Ateh Thompson:

 “Governments therefore must, in taking advantage of these current economic realities protect their home industries with rigorous policies save guards in the areas of exchange rates and foreign pricing. Strength in agric business must be a necessary inclination and industrialization remaining a clear and persistent country objective, precisely in transformation and packaging. These will ensure sustainability and their employability, of home based companies with an urge over the crushing imports that really appear less costly and attractive to consumers."

It didn’t end at that as Ashu comes back in with another submission in defense to his opinion that the business should not be encouraged.

He put this forth; 

Ashu:

“let us turn the table around changing the trend of supply and demand. It is widely accepted that Africa is the highest receiver nowadays of Chinese made products, which makes Chinese the major supplier and Africa the main Buyer. Taking it as common place knowledge, now considering the reduction in demand due to the inability to purchase the USD to buy the African raw materials like rubber per se, which constitute one of the major consumption products from China so far, don't u think it will affect its production? Chinese manufacturers off course will have little available rubber to supply the vast and hungry African markets. To me, i do believe that in the long run, most of these Manufacturers will have to run out of materials, there will be an increase in the cost of production especially the variable costs, which will imply that most of the companies will even have to go out of the market, lay off workers. It might even cause a collapse of the Sino African trade route. The vast and hungry African Market will have to stay hungry and in the event to rush out of the fixed, they will sought other markets elsewhere, probably going back to Europe and USA. It will not be a very good deal therefore if we will have to consider varied options.”

As a continuous intellectual process, Akoson Raymond make a sharp input; He view it as such.

Akoson Raymond:

“I tackle the debate from a very lay man bird view;.. the issue with a 'not a long term win for Africa' is commendable. However, I believe that any economic opportunities for Africa should be, at this time -- sought as 'the fastest bird picking the fattest worm' than the 'patient dog eating the fattest bone' sort of comparison. I strongly believe that the negativities registered by Africa as a result of this devaluation of the Yuan very much pales in comparison to the positivities.”

Arrey Martins came up with a view as such: 

Arrey:

 “One thing we should learn is that once a country has good economic footing, it can devalue or determine the strength of its currency at any time. China deliberately devalue it currency to make its good cheaper in the US market. Thou it had a consequence (good or bad) to Africa; their prime motive is an economic war with the US. By so doing, the will increase export to the US and reduce import to China. This will be very favorable to their balance of payment…they remain victor to this scheme. What can African learn from this? We devalue our currency but remain poorer. China devalues her currency but get richer". 

Quite enriching indeed, Ashu Comes back with further arguments in his defense. He posited thus.

Ashu: 

The USA shall be greatly touched with the depreciation of the yuan. This currency devaluation will make US Exports to be very expensive in China and the rest of the world and thereby, reduce US Exports and Foreign earnings, a drop in trade, the BOP, and off course a great harm to the US economy in the short run. But with China her goods will be less expensive and in high demand in the US and foreign markets, meaning a booster to China's economy. China is out to measure its level of competitiveness in the World market with its cheap products getting a higher purchase value than US products, in way that completely damages the US exports out of the world market. At a time when the US Dollar tries to regain its command and strength in the world, in a way that will completely dominate every other currency, China quickly reacts to cause a huge blow to the currency. The Yuan devaluation within these few days running has caused major collapse in currencies … in Asia especially in the south east. Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, etc. It seems to me that, a currency war is at the verge of emerging, and this will not be very good for struggling economies around the world. Africa, being one of the main struggling economies, will not find this exchange rate issue a favorable platform for trade with China at least after now despite the huge financial gains that are available at the moment. Cameroonians in the Diaspora contribute enormously to the Cameroon economy through Foreign exchange and trade between different areas of the world. Ask a person in Malaysia who used to send down few thousand Ringgit down to Cameroon for the family to receive a huge western union package, will tell you that between 2 days ago and today, he sent that same few Ringgit he used to send, just for the family to receive a lesser amount, just within hours, telling us how it might be in the nearest future. The write up by Mr Ateh is well put and I tally with it albeit for the lone fact that, it might not be beneficial to Africa in the long run. But concerning trade between China and the US and other European countries, I must say, it is the best thing China has done to safe its economy and to make its position in the world more exposed to respect and trust that the US counterparts. Currency depreciation is an area of Monetary policy which is often times ignored by most governments, because of the adverse effects it might bring within the period of devaluation or whatever the case may be. As you Mr Arrey rightly put it; "What can African leaders learn from this?". 

Bara, came again with his views: 

Bara: 

“China is at it best . Let us see how it turns out. The truth is that USA will feel it but the foundation of USA economy is so strong that it will not totally be an issue
What does this mean to Africa now and in the long run. Already, you have remittances received in Africa as being dropped from Asia etc”

It didn’t just end with Bara Mark, as Mr Ateh came on again:

Ateh: 

 “…Truth is our continent must lead their own economic revolution. China's control over her currency remains a great strength they have, even made stronger by the very fact that they are the world’s economic power. Devaluing their currency is just the right thing to do so because, as a trade centre in this era, need exist to concentrate demand towards decongesting their ever increasing supplies amidst other competitors. …China has leaved in industrialization and mass production for several years now and it is the demand side they sick controlling, no longer so much the supply side of it. Our continent-- which is the next stop after Asia in development--to survive should China continue its currency deviance, must lead their own economic revolution. we produce raw materials but don't have control over the prices in the international, we export raw and import finished at double and even triple their prices, we value international and forget the eminence of originality vested in the typicality of our Africanness. Well structured markets, encouraging industrial policies, and conducive taxing in a corruption free environment could be that trick. …if Agriculture becomes prioritized and mechanization, a must with the tertiary at fore, higher tendencies exist for requisite product transformation and supply towards serving not only the national but also the international. In its most basic sense say; cutting back on the importation of say; rice, or flour and biscuits because cassava and potatoes is being manufactured at home for the national and international markets, already offsets the BOP to some extent and even greater, should more of such actions in other sectors be prior .Trade blocks within Africa, in reinforcing trade policies with China at higher guarantees that they are advantaged is important. A current debate exist on the acquisition of an African currency so as to affix their parities directly with any currency in the world without necessarily standing on the others and yet not being vulnerable. that too, though almost impossible could be the start of a solution. In a nutshell, Three aspects are important. Mechanization and heavy industrialization, product transformation with an eye on international competitiveness, Packaging and marketing; if African's can focus on these trio, the'll not survive but avail any such tendencies from what ever source… if the United States retaliates to this offensive by China, the entire world could be affected. the question then is, to what direction could she possibly retaliate ; But how much shocks to the world lamely could be explained to you by the number of deals world wide, literally transacted in dollars".

So great an intellectual exchange, Akoson Raymond comes forth again.

Akoson:

" We understand how catastrophic such a devaluation would be for the US economy. Much as all these markets are inextricably bound, we should look at the implication of this move on our own economy -- the African economy. And I add that the underlined trajectory for Africa to take must be to seek ways to finish their products and sell at very competitive rates. African politicians must also work towards concluding on a unique currency."

Ashu comes with a quick reaction to Mr Raymond:

Ashu:

 “a unique currency is a giant but far fetch dream to attain in Africa even in the years to come Mr Akoson. A unique currency will change a lot of things in fact the entire social, economic and geopolitical status quo of the entire Continent. It is a fine move but unattainable one considering the huge considerations to be taken in place. I do believe that Individual economies can work out good economic plans that can take them forward and in extension, the whole continent. But the real set back today to such economic breakthrough to me is the adoption and concentration in politics and Western democracy rather than adopting the direction of trade, commerce and entrepreneurship. Instead of building industries, markets and. Companies in the 21st century, Africans are busy building up political parties, civil Society organizations and pressure groups. it is quite sad. we prefer to have one man one vote fully observed than one man one cassava. It’s quite a pity my people".

Mr Atanga Marcelius comes finally to sum it up.

Atanga:

  “Interesting discussion from all angles, but the most important factor remains: Only a nation that has control over it political system can intend control it national institutions ( economy, health, education,,,) Unfortunately most African leaders are seated by the west under the new international model, thus they have control over all variables. There is no national economy policy that is not nested in the IMF model, Most newly Elected African presidents will have to go pay homage to their (king maker) in the name of official visits, Ebola breaks out in Africa, research for vaccines is done in the USA and Europe,,,,who are they fooling?????
"You can fool some people sometime, but you cannot fool all the people all the time" BOB

                 CONCLUSION:

Knowledge is a continual process and to get it, means bringing forth new ideas to better understand the ways things happen and how we must respond to how things happen when they happen.

Everybody must try to contribute to knowledge in his/her own personal and unique way so that the scope of knowledge can be widened and extended further from where we stand today. Instead of recycling knowledge, we should extend knowledge.

The different viewpoints so advanced by various contributors in this whole process are a clear indication that indeed, we can build forth new knowledge. In a typical intellectual exchange, there are no winners and losers. Everybody is a learner.

Compiled by: Ashu Shamy. LL.B

Published: Cameroonvision.blogspot.com

August 15^th 2015.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA EFFECTS ON LIBERATION STRUGGLES

"IF BATTLE FIELDS FOR LIBERATION WERE ON SOCIAL MEDIA ONLY, THE SOUTHERN CAMEROONS WOULD HAVE GAINED INDEPENDENCE THE SAME YEAR FACEBOOK WAS CREATED" Ashu Shamy

If you want to Free Southern Cameroons, be prepared to go back home.

The advent of the Television, radio, and massive availability of Internet in the 21st Century, has led to a general decrease in the records of successful Liberation movements unlike in the 17th, 18th, 19th and the 20th centuries when information transmission was a difficult issue.

What are the reasons for this massive collapse? Is it that the people of 21st century have become so literate to settle with the opinion that Liberation can only be achieve from Computer keyboards and Internet speeches? Or the problems of the world have all been solved to a point that everybody is contented with what has become of the world?

In Cameroon where I'm from, the people complain of a certain system of government which has never changed for generations. In Cameroon, the people complain of a certain land of Southern Cameroons which was forcefully occupied by way of instrumental annexation. In Cameroon, the people complain that less than 5 % of the population sit on the wealth of nations and live 95% under abject poverty and misery. In Cameroon, it has been loosely reported that there is a new form of government called Biyacracy. It is even further stated that Biyacracy takes over a form of government called aristocracy with a powerful backing of autocracy.It has been admitted in strong terms that the entire youthful population of Southern Cameroons have left the country in search of greener pastures in foreign lands because the job market has been placed a heavy tax which has led to it's collapse.

It has been carefully observed that all these situations as singled-out are genuine and admissible. Yet, it has equally been seen to manifest that almost all or some of the youths, who leave for foreign lands, either do the following; use the situations above to seek asylum, get a new nationality or start practicing real politics through Facebook from their keyboards; with well captivating captions; BIYA MUST GO, MOVEMENT FOR THE RESTORATION OF SOUTHERN CAMEROONS, CMR LEADERS OF TOMORROW, etc. While in Cameroon, those youths could not venture to be associated with such movements, but while in the diaspora, they can crucify Paul Biya and win the battle from where they sit and write.

"IF BATTLE FIELDS FOR LIBERATION WERE ON SOCIAL MEDIA ONLY, THE SOUTHERN CAMEROON'S WOULD HAVE GAINED INDEPENDENCE THE SAME YEAR FACEBOOK WAS CREATED"

But I say today, if you want freedom for SC, go back home and start it or follow it.

ASHU SHAMY -- HELLO CRTV GUEST SPEAKERS

SOUTHERN CAMEROONS' CALL TO FREEDOM

….Enough is Enough….Southern Cameroons at home and abroad, Where are you?...Arise and stop this madness…… Save Southern Cameroons. UB LECTURERS PROMISE MINESUP MINISTER J.F NDONGO CIVIL UNREST IF HE CARRIES ON HIS PLANS OF KILLING THE COMMON LAW TRADITION AND PROGRAMMES IN UB “We will hold the Minister of Higher Education responsible for any social unrest this will cause. Time and money should be used for more judicious ends than provoke social and political tensions”

It took just a few weeks after the Common Law Lawyers declared and warned the government of its attempt to undermined and erase the Common Law tradition of Anglophones , just for the Cameroun Ministry of Higher Education (MINESUP) to start high geared arrangements to totally erode the common law discipline from the University of Buea. In a Meeting held on the 6th of May at the Ministry of Higher Education and chaired by Technical adviser N0.1 of that Ministry representing Jacque Fame Ndongo, high plans were made to erode “harmonize” some core academic programs of UB. The Committee proposed that Common Law, political science be scrapped from the curriculum while the degree in Management should have Economics as the base, no Accounting, Banking and Finance, Management all should be merged as one degree program.

My worry:
UB has been existing for more than 20 years running these very programs and excelling in the job market and the world at large. Article 1 of the Presidential Decree No. 93/034, of 19 January 1993 to organize the University of Buea states as follows; “This decree determines and defines the administrative and academic organization of the University of Buea. There shall be established, a body corporate conceived in the Anglo Saxon tradition by the name of The University of Buea (hereafter referred to as the University”
This decree therefore as from the date of signature of that decree, makes UB a special university. It is not like any other University in Cameroon.
WHAT MAKES UB A SPECIAL UNIVERSITY
The decree specificies strictu sensu that, UB is created to conform and practice strictly the Anglo-saxon tradition therefore it does not have the same system as other state Universities. From that perspective, UB practices a purely anglo saxon system of education and training. Its Language of Instruction is English and not French or both, It has a Vice Chancellor and not a rector. It has Faculties, departments and Schools. UB has standard admission requirements with test of English proficiency as a top requirement, a cut up point of 4 O’levels as well as different points at the Advanced level before you can be admitted into certain programs, it has a special credit and grading system of courses and GPAs and not on average. UB performs the annual Matriculation and graduation rituals which none other University in Cameroon does. UB sends out its graduating students for Internship whereby they get practical training in line with their programs and at the end, the students carryout a compulsory research dissertation in partial fulfillment of their proposed degrees, which they must submit and have a passed mark before they can graduate. UB is therefore not and does not resemble the Bamenda University, Yaounde 1, 2, Douala, Ngaoundere and Maroua. This should be made clear.
WHY I’M EXTREMELY BITTERED.
Why should the government continuesly make concerted efforts to undermine and trample on the reputation and goodwill that UB has built through these programs over the years? Why is there a persistent attempt to kill the common law system of Southern Cameroon? Why are all these deadly actions occurring at the same time; before it was the case of Teachers of Secondary school, to the Courts and Lawyers and now to the heart of the Anglophone culture- the University of Buea the Place to be.
Is this something worth sitting and just watching? Is it a fine thing for us? What is our offence for agreeing to enter into a union and live as one even by inference? Is it what we bargained for in 1961, even if it became illegal at the end, Is this how a moral arrangement could become this deadly, Is this not a fundamental breach of Contract? Why are we staying quiet even when we see fire on our roofs? Should we wait for the day we and our children shall be sold out to neighboring countries to work as slaves by the same regime, the many who have been forced by persecution, torture and intimidation to leave and settle all round the world is it not enough slavery? Are we all going to be crucified totally before we see a need for actions? Before it was our 4 students killed in cold blood before our very eyes in 2005 and 2006, then came more than 60 students arrested and imprisoned for months in Buea central prison, thereafter they stood trial and most of them were sentenced with jail terms, fines and hard labour because they stood to defend a right to protest for their right? What is actually our crime as a people in a union with Cameroun. Shall we allow all these to continue to happen? Where are you people of Southern Cameroons, where are you Anglophone people….Where are you Dorothy Njeuma…you said you were doing all what you did just to defend the anglopone tradition of UB, Even though you are in ELECAM now, would you allow this evil, where are you Dr Nalova Lyonga, now that you joined forces with them to kill UBSU, are you ready to stand out loud and defend the university alone? Can you support SYNES at least with this move? Where are you freedom fighters of SC; where are you MOLA N.Litumbe, where are you Prof Anyangwe, where are you Nfor Nfor, Ayah paul, Oben Maxwel, oh.. where are you Pa Ayamba…et al. Where are you lecturers, Dr Asibong (Ntufam), JB Fonyam, Martha Tunde, prof Angwafor, Ndiva Kale, Galega, Dr Fontem, Molem, Fonka….oh…. where are you Yanou Mike no doubt they took you away because they had sudden plan after your death…where are you Anglophone forebearers in Government; where are you… Agbor Tabi, I heard you are sick, Tabe Tando, Chief Mukete, Chief Angwafor, John Fru Ndi, Mbah Ndam, Awoudou Mbaya, Dion Ngute…where are you? Where are all of you youths of Southern Cameroons…where are you graduates of law, economics, accouting, banking and finace, management...etc. Where are you current students of UB or is the Campus still under military siege that you cannot even talk??
Where are you, farmers, teachers, lecturers, Lawyers, policemen, truck pushers, okada men, mbanga men, and the jobless.ariseeeee..... my people
What shocks me badly is that as I speak to you, at the heart of this, cowards, stooges and bely politicians in the name of Anglophone representatives are busy in the field now, calming down the tempers and angers of Southern Cameroonians in Mamfe, Lebialem, Kumba, Mundemba, not to yield to the voice of Liberation from the Hard Liners of the Southern Cameroons. They are a disgrace and their mission should be stopped.
Please my people, as I send this message to you, you must use all arsenals to get our people to resist any message from the Anglophone sellouts in the name of Senators and Parliamentarians and from any other groups or party who stand against what we stand for. Let's rally support for the Lawyers and Lecturers who are making these great steps for our Liberation. The Liberation for one, is the Liberation for all.
One thing is certain which I want to assure you,

We shall overcome, some day.
God bless you, our people
God Bless Southern Cameroons.

By: Ashu Hailshamy
-National Secretary in charge of students’ Relations-University of Buea Alumni Association (UBAA)
-Former Student Union President University of Buea students’ Union (UBSU)
This Day 4th June 2015.

A CALL FOR UNITY TO THE SOUTHERN CAMEROONS

<<<A CALL FOR UNITY>>>>

To: All wings of the Southern Cameroons' Struggle:

Fellow countrymen and Comrades, The destination of this struggle is not a new place we are travelling to,  it is the new feeling we shall have as a people in our own land so we either fight and win as a united team or we fight and die as individuals. We are more alike when we stand as one than when we stand as individuals. Unity isn't just what we desire at this point in time, it is the light that will lead our struggle. Beloved Comrades, we should not give ourselves reasons why we can't unite and fight this battle as one, let  us give ourselves reasons why we must unite and stand as one. Even if you feel our unity will still not make us strong enough to face the challenge, I tell you, just getting together will build more momentum that will lead us a step forward. If we refuse to come together as one because of differences in ideals, then I say, we are all wingless birds flying to fall. At the end of this struggle, no group will single itself out as the author and finisher of the struggle, for it won't mean anything, the freedom of Southern Cameroons, is not for one man but for all men.

  I want to tell us all that, Indeed, we are getting to the mountain top and must not give it up now. As long as we stay together our liberty shall no longer be deferred.The decision is ours to make this day. So be you in support of the Lawyers, the Southwest chiefs  or the UB lecturers or  for the total liberation of Southern Cameroons, there is a need for this unity. The wind of freedom is blowing across from every angle of our land. The spirit of dormancy has received a divine touch from the mighty man above, we cannot let him down. Dear Comrades, I would like us all to welcome all and sundry from all walks of life even if they completely disagree with us. A hand of friendship is the first sign towards attaining the strongest alliances that can uplift any impending force. The victory of the Land of Southern Cameroons is a must. Therefore, I call on us all, in the name of unity for liberation, let us unite today.

The people of Southern Cameroons are too big to be small and so our unity will not make us less than that.

Thank you all.

Long Live Southern Cameroons
 God bless you

Ashu Shamy

MESSAGE TO SOUTHERN CAMEROON YOUTHS

              MORE CONFUSION BUT DON’T GET DECEIVED

When I see the way Anglophone Cameroonians in the National Assembly unite to fight against the Freedom of the Southern Cameroonian people, I wonder if truly their placentas came out and were buried in the Southern Cameroon soil. To think of the fact that, the key champions of this unprecedented outburst of blockade to the struggle is coming from the remaining breed of persons who were born within the time such an error was committed, and even partook in committing this error, breaks down my heart.
Then when I see my own fathers championing the course and making authoritative statements such as “Retired civil servants especially those who occupied influential positions like ambassadors are alleged to either belong to the Southern Cameroons National Council, SCNC or bankrolling that movement in order to be reappointed in the government.” Lives me confused if they are truly my fathers.
That these are the same remaining breed that have caused our present state of standstill in all walks of economic, social and political life, makes me shiver in pain yet some of us as youths do not see anything wrong in it worth criticizing but we have vehemently decided to follow their foot-steps by praising the beats my imaginations.
That some of us youths have directly or indirectly excluded ourselves from being part of this struggle for Liberation, and have started campaigning to be Parliamentarians and Senators and even Presidents in the same political dispensation makes me think aloud. Where are you campaigning to? To become what? So that you will do what? when your anscetral origin is threatened extinction.... Can't you think? If you cannot think of anything atleast think of the Life of your Children after you die. If it can be this hard on you to get through how much of them in this more complex and comlicated world...I'm talking to you brother think... I mean you should have a re-think.
I therefore place before you two options:
1. I know some of us are afraid it wouldn’t be a success but nothing defeats fear so badly than fear itself. I can assure you this might be the last trough that will break the camels back. Judgment day is near. Don’t wait for it to come before you have a rethink. So I urge you to kill that doubt and fear in you and join me and others in this path of Liberation for there if joy in freedom.
2. In the fullness of time, when we will all pass away, we shall be faced with this question “What did you do while staying on earth to help free your people from the hands of the devil” and we shall reply “I was just doing what my fathers were doing before me” Then we shall get the verdict of our statement from the mighty Judge of Judges.
The greatest gift God has given mankind is the power to make our own choices. Think now to rest tomorrow. God bless you youth.
By: Ashu Shamy

DIFFERENT CLASSES OF SOUTHERN CAMEROONIANS

Different Classes of Southern Cameroonians

1. THE ENFEEBLE SOUTHERN CAMEROONIANS

They have lost their Anglophone hood but still retain the name. They vehemently refuse that there is an Anglophone problem and support the government of Cameroun's argument that there is equality from all spheres of life between the citizens of Cameroon. They agree and fight to defend a united Cameroon which is one and indivisible. They can go to any extent just to defend the status quo. They can go to media and can speak for unity in any other platform. They can sacrifice a southern Cameroonian just to prove to the government that, they are indeed for the unity of Cameroon. They prefer to change their culture and their language. They refuse to speak English or even associate with fellow southern Cameroonians when they meet in high places. They prefer to speak in French and prefer to help Francophones to cross a bridge instead of an Anglophone. They want the status to remain as it is forever. To them, the only problem Cameroon can be thought of having might be that of Leadership. They hold such views within them and would not even dare come out publicly. Some even argue that, by nature and if not due to the evil of colonization, Cameroonians were prior, one and the same people, with the same identity and culture. As God will do it, he has brought back his people together in 1961 that were before separated by the evil of colonialism never to be seperated again.
IF A REFERENDUM WERE TO TODAY, THEY WOULD LIKELY VOTE FOR A THE CONTINUITY OF UNION AND ONE UNITED CAMEROON.

2. THE DISGUISED SOUTHERN CAMEROONIANS

This class of people believe in the Anglophone problem in Cameroon but because they have to survive and think of their bellies and families, their political lives future,their promotions and appointments and their special favors from Cameroun, they hid their intentions and would not like to discuss southern Cameroon in their mouths. They instead fear the Northwest and South West people than the Francophone.
Yet, they benefit indirectly from the fortunes that come up as a result of Anglophone and Southern Cameroons’ struggle even after lashing out against those who crusaded for the fortunes. Even if they wish to voice out Southern Cameroons from their mouths, they will prefer to do it, from the background; they avoid media discussions that would portray them as two-state Federalists. Most of them use the name of the Southern Cameroon struggle to benefit from international sympathy such as Asylum and Naturality.
They have virtually come to the conclusion that when if the worse comes to the worse they would rather prefer to live in a federation in conditions of negative peace than to die trying to provide conditions of positive peace in a Freed Southern Cameroons. They just want to stay there to keep on cashing in to the fortunes that accrue from the struggle of those who stand to defend the land, those in exile, those in prison and those who have sought asylum outside Cameroon and are fighting from where they are.
IF A REFERENDUM WERE TO BE CONDUCTED TODAY WILL CHOOSE CONTINUITY BUT WOULD PREFER A THIRD OPTION OF A LOSE FEDERATION.

3. THE AUDACIOUS SOUTHERN CAMEROOONIANS

They are bold enough to kill all iota of fear and to speak the truth and nothing but the truth. They are ready to take actions if need be. They see themselves as true southern Cameroonians and are proud to say it. To them, there is nothing like an Anglophone problem, they rather called it the Southern Cameroon question. There should be a solution to the southern Cameroon Question and not an Anglophone problem they strongly hold.
They believe the government in creating the southern Cameroons equation, did so by violating all the 1961 arrangements. The government of Cameroun, has decided to wipe out and kill all the unique identities of the Southern Cameroon heritage as education, common law legal system and various aspects of political, economic and social life. As such instead of hiding like the disguised Southern Cameroonians, they declare openly for the return of the 1961 Federal arrangement between Foncha and Ahidjo. They advocate for a federal structure and hold tight to their point and have no intention of changing their stands. To them, it is the only and best way towards solving the Southern Cameroon question.
To them, their choice for federation is a matter of law, and justice because as far as they are concerned the agreed term and condition that the union of Southern Cameroon and Republic of Cameroon shall take a federal form that shall benefit and protect the two Cameroons jointly and severally was abrogated by the 20 May 1972 Referendum. They argue that the imposition of the unitary state was unconstitutional, illegal and a breach of faith. It is there a matter of justice that a restitution of the former status quo by returning to the two-state federation. However despite the fact that they prefer openly a Federal state, they will warmly welcome a Free Southern Cameroons Nations if the dream and struggles of others come true.
IF A REFERANDUM WAS TO BE CONDUCTED TODAY, THEY WILL OPENLY VOTE FOR A FEDERATION OF TWO EQUAL STATES.

4. THE HARD-LINER SOUTHERN CAMEROONIANS.

They are full of energy, enthusiasm, courage and determination. To them, for them to be free, the entire Southern Cameroonians should be free. They choose to be given absolute freedom or given absolute death. To them, there is nothing like an Anglophone problem, they rather called it the Southern Cameroon question. There should be a solution to the southern Cameroon Question and not an Anglophone problem just like the audaciou class. They carry with them both the symbols and substance of the Anglophone struggle and their bodies bear the scars of incarcerations and military confrontations.
Most of them that have suffered persecution have vowed never to be likened to anything Cameroun. They can go to any length just to succeed in their mission and can even get involved in a revolution just to free the Southern Cameroons. They have declared openly for the total Independence and restoration of the Southern Cameroons Statehood as the only option which is a zero option.
They do not believe in the 1961 arrangement by Foncha and Ahidjo as they called it fake and grossly illegal ab initio. They believe they have enough facts that attest to that the Southern Cameroons never had a legal union with Republic of Cameroon. To them, it is very futile to continue asking or seeking for a federal system that never even existed in the first place under International law. A segment of these class of people in 2006 even went as far as to declare the Independence of Southern Cameroons under the name Ambazonia.

IF A REFERENDUM WERE TO BE CONDUCTED TODAY THEY WOULD VOTE FOR; COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE AND SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SOUTHERN CAMEROONS.

Where do you belong?




By Ashu Shamy