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