By OFFOR CALLISTUS, Abuja –
The leadership of the Interim Government of Southern Cameroon, the Ambazonia has called for the intervention of The United Nations (UN) and the international communities to help solve the conflict with the Republic of Cameroon.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that the conflict between the Southern Cameroon and the government troops since 2017, has left more than 50,000 people dead and nearly 800,000 people displaced
The President of the Interim Government of Southern Cameroon Samuel Sako, who made the call during a virtual press conference on Monday, urged the UN to prevail over the Republic of Cameroon to revert to the initial agreement of 1961 which brought the two entities together.
Dr Sako said the idea of Plebiscite, preceded by Internationally genuine all-inclusive dialogue/mediated negotiation process should be the right steps in resolving the conflicts and the issue of sovereignty of the Southern Cameroons (Ambazonia)
“We believe a Plebiscite (a non-binding survey of our opinions by the UN) is an acceptable democratic process to ascertain the majority view of Southern Cameroonians (Ambazonians) since the last Plebiscite of 1961, if there is any doubt about the majority position.
“We object to any proposed Referendum on grounds that it presupposes falsely that Southern Cameroons is part of the Republic of Cameroon (aka La République du Cameroun) and is seeking to secede as an independent country. We were granted Independence in 1961, it was only the ‘joining’ that did not take place legally, and the Republic of Cameroon withdrew from the “union project” in 1984 when they reverted to their original name prior to 1961.
“We have never been part of the Republic of Cameroon, so we do not need a Referendum to decide if we can separate from a non-existent union.
“Also, a binding Referendum will exclude the genuine dialogue we need to address the root causes of the conflict, because it is based on winner takes all.
“We are not fighting to change the form of government in the Republic of Cameroon. We are not also fighting for constitutional changes within the Republic of Cameroon (French Cameroon). We are fighting against annexation. We are defending our restored independence.
“Annexation cannot be resolved through a Referendum because it is either a right or wrong issue; just as the solution of rape is not marriage. We do not need a Referendum to tell right from wrong, we need the international justice system or a negotiated settlement”, he said.
The Ambazonia leader, however, expressed worries that if peace is not found through any diplomatic intervention, the ongoing genocide and violence would continue to spread.
“If the International Communities do not do anything, it means they have voted for the continuation of the genocide and the violence that’s on going in Southern Cameroon. Our people are willing to fight when it comes to freedom. This is because we have discovered that the only way this issue can be resolved is to stand up for what is right. For 7 years will have been doing so and will intend to do so until reason will prevail”.
He further, appealed to the conscience of the International Communities to do the right thing by ending the genocide and impunity against the people of Southern Cameroon.
He also commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for her benevolence towards thousands of Southern Cameroonian refugees while soliciting for its supports towards the restoration of Ambazonia’s independence.
