MY POSITION ON THE ANGLOPHONE PROBLEM

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THE ANGLOPHONE PROBLEM

Writing on Facebook, Mark Bareta asks readers  their views about whether or not there is an Anglophone problem.  He cites Minister Paul Nji Atanga saying that that there is no such problem; and cites Ntumfor Nico Halle who says there is.

My answer is that there is an Anglophone problem. However, I disagree with the approach taken by the SCNC firstly because it is a manner of “trying to solve a problem by running away from it”. I find it curious that proponents of the SCNC should have skipped the federal system in which Francophone Cameroon and Anglophone Cameroon constituted two separate but equal states, to go right back to the Southern Cameroons which the majority of us did not experience.  Our forefathers did their best in running the affairs of the Anglophone State of West Cameroon and even at that time, we were a model to the Francophone State of East Cameroon.

Another point is that some people believe that the UN will solve the problem. How? The UN gave us the choice of either staying with Nigeria or rejoining the independent Republic of Cameroon. While we chose the latter, our brothers and sisters of the Northern Cameroons chose to stay on with Nigeria and were integrated into Nigerian society. Today, while we are shedding tears and lamenting, they appear peaceful and happy with their own choice.

 At the time of the plebiscite we did not challenge the UN`s two options of only either joining Nigeria or the Republic of Cameroon, thus not allowing us the possibility of full independence. However, under UN supervision, we chose to rejoin our brothers and sisters east of the Mungo. That was our decision. At that time the UN`S job was over.  From then on, we were responsible for our own destiny. If later we messed it up, then what frankly do we expect the UN to do again? How can we blame them instead of ourselves? The UN did its job. We are the ones who failed.

Another problem is that the SCNC is long on talking but short on action. All it does is quote constitutions and the law as well as quote the UN and cite Foumban and embroil itself in analyzing the same problem from a million and one angles. Mola Njoh Litumbe, for instance, says he does not recognize what happened in Foumban. But he does not say much about where we should go today. Lambi Wamesai waves a beautiful blue and white flag and proclaims: “LIBERTY WILL REIGN FOR IT WAS THE MIND-SET OF THE FOUNDERS, TOGETHER WE THE PATRIOTIC CITIZENS OF SOUTHERN CAMEROONS WILL FIGHT IN EVERY WAY WE CAN FOR FREEDOM, DOMOCRACY AND SOCIAL BETTERMENT.” He conjures up `fighting in every way we can`. But how? Where?  When? And for how long?

The difference between the leaders who went to Foumban and today`s so-called Southern Cameroons leaders is that the Foumban people acted. They got up and did something. Today`s proponents are pure theorists who sit in armchairs, and then preach and pontificate. Politicians such as opposition leaders  who have stayed at home and are fighting through their political parties are doing something about it. They are not just talking and letting the grass grow under their feet. The German Chancellor, Otto Von Bismarck once said: “The great questions of the day shall be decided   not by speeches and resolutions but by blood and iron”

A few days ago Dr. Nfor Susungi Nfor published photographs which he said were of a Southern Cameroon’s delegation that went to the UN in 1995.  He gave them a reception at his London residence. At the time he was the resident representative of the African Development Bank (ADB) in London. I was in Britain then   but did not get the chance to attend the party.

However, I attended the conference the “delegates” gave the Cameroonian community in London. Mola Njoh Litumbe was one of them and I believe, Dr. Simon Munzu too. While there I asked them: “You people look very joyous and triumphant because as you put it, you were received at the UN. But apart from the reception, what concrete results did you bring back concerning the issue at stake? The UN is a public office that would receive anyone who goes there. So how is that an achievement?” Members of the delegation rambled and babbled and looked embarrassed and confused. I believe that to this day, nineteen years later, they can still not answer the question.

My proposal

When we voted to rejoin the Republic of Cameroon, we did not do so blindly. Before we think of secession like the SCNC is doing, are we sure we have exploited all the available methods? For the first time, an Anglophone in the person of Fru Ndi very nearly became president of Cameroon. If we cared so much about our treatment, why then did we not support him to become president? Let us also remember the saying that far off hills look green. Biafra declared a republic and tried to break away from the rest of Nigeria, but was ruthlessly crushed by federal forces. Southern Sudan fought for independence and got it. But today, it is fighting itself. It`s like a dog biting its own tail. So what is the guarantee that if we break away we will be better off?

The triangle called Cameroon is big enough to accommodate all of us.    We should stay there and fight for our rights instead of abdicating, handing our rights to anyone on a platter of gold and taking a leap in the dark.  In this republic, no citizen has more rights than any other, unless people allow their rights to be violated.

Some people are afraid of Paul Biya. But he cannot be president for ever. Before him there was a president and after him there will still be a president. And by the way, supposing he were to surprise us and step down today or announce  he will not run again in 2014, when his current term expires; do we believe that we are adequately prepared for that eventuality?

Cameroonian statesman Solomon Tandeng Muna once said: “People come and go, but the nation remains.”

Let us be realistic. Let us not play to the gallery. Let us say the truth and not just what people want to hear. The human being by nature likes excitement and things that are hyped up. But that is a life of fantasy, far removed from reality and realism.