Commemorating 46 Years Since October 1, 1961
Southern Cameroonians Continue to Assert the Spirit of Self-determination
Activities marking the 46th anniversary celebration of the botched independence of the Southern Cameroons in 1961 kicked off on September 24 as called for by the National Chairman of the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC), Chief Ette Otun Ayamba.
On September 25, in both Mbot-Nkambe Local Government Area (LGA) and Kumbo-Bui county, Southern Cameroonians came out in their numbers for tree-planting and clean up of streets.
In Bamenda, the SCNC Northern zonal chairman, Prince Humphrey Mbinglo, led the clean up campaigns at Mile II and Cow streets. At Mile II, the street was swept and pot holes filled, while at Cow Street, the clean up campaign was predominantly around the SCNC National Secretariat. Cypress hedges were pruned, the street was swept and culverts cleaned. This ended with the planting of the Southern Cameroons 46th Anniversary tree by Prince Mbinglo in front the SCNC National Secretariat.
When the security forces got wind of the clean up campaign, a contingent of armed Gendarmes led by Brigade Commander, Mr. Muaffo, from the Mendankwe Gendarmerie came to the to SCNC National Secretariat. Luckily for the participants who took part in the clean up, the armed contingent of gendarmes came when the exercise was already finished and the activists had dispersed.
Commenting on the deployment of the gendarmes, one of the activists pointed that this is evidence that Southern Cameroonians are denied even their right to live in a clean environment due to the colonization of their country. “If not, why are armed troops being sent to deter Southern Cameroonians from cleaning their streets and homes?” Julius Nguyap questioned.
Reports from Kumba in Meme division, state that Mr. Sylvester Taku, SCNC Southern zonal chairman led the clean up campaigns at Three Corners Fiango. The clean up campaign also culminated in the planting of fifteen trees.
Explaining the planting of trees during this year’s commemorations, Prince Mbinglo said that it was in keeping with the 2007 theme of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) which is that of preserving the environment. He explained that it also displays the commitment of the Southern Cameroons to the core principles of UNPO and a demonstration of solidarity to other UNPO members world wide who are subjected to environmental hazards and degradation.
Hoisting of the Flag
In Bamenda, the Southern Cameroons flag was hoisted at three sites. Two were hoisted in Mendankwe where some activists had been arrested some days before. In down town Bamenda, the flag was also hoisted at the Azire junction, the Southern Cameroons national anthem, Freedom Land, was chanted and the anniversary speech read out in time before the “occupation forces” arrived.
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 It took them some extra effort to bring down the flag that had been hoisted on an electric pole. In Nkwen, the flag was hoisted at Foncha Street, at the junction going up to former Southern Cameroons Prime Minister, John Ngu Foncha’s residence. The activists took pride in the fact that all the three newly created administrative areas of Mendankwe, Mankon and Nkwen saw the gold stars and white & blue stripes of the Southern Cameroons flag.
Harassment and Intimidation
Meanwhile, reports of harassments and intimidation continue to flow into our newsroom. A Press Release from the SCNC office stated:
“Forces of the Biya regime have continued to harass and intimidate SCNC activists from carrying out their programme of activities …for Independence Day – 1st October…
In the junction town of Mutengene in the Fako County in the Southern Cameroons a mixed patrol of four gendarmes, four soldiers and five policemen stormed the residence of Mr. James Sabum - SCNC Organising Secretary at about midnight on 25th September 2007.
The main target was Mr. James Sabum, who has suffered several arrests and detentions in the past. Unable to lay hold on him the occupation forces beat […] Mr. Sabum’s family members. One of his sons, Valentine Tuma Sabum, 25 years, was beaten to a state of unconsciousness necessitating hospitalization.
The forces quit Mr. Sabum’s premises at 4:00 am on 26th September 2007 […].
Meanwhile in Kumba, Meme County at 10pm on the same night, the residence of the Southern Zone Chair, Mr. Sylvester Taku was raided by a group of three gendarmes who drove into the premises in a gendarme vehicle. Their target was to pick Mr. Sylvester Taku, but failing to find him at home, they got his phone number from his children, and used it to reach Mr. Taku whom they ordered to report at the Brigade, but Mr. Taku refused to report saying he could not respond to verbal convocations. The Southern Zone Chair however requested that a formal written convocation be addressed to him if they needed him for any reason.
At Kumbo, Bui County of the Northern Zone, Stephen Kongnso’s residence was surrounded on the 25th Sept. [2007] but nobody was arrested.
In Mbengwi, Momo County, Chairman Henry Fomuki Nji’s residence is under surveillance by the deployment of troops who are patrolling the streets.
Meanwhile the SCNC National Secretariat in Bamenda is being monitored by police and gendarmes under the command of Mr. Muaffo of the Mendankwe Gendarmerie Brigade.”
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