The Good points
The good points of the SCPC are self-evident and common with all the other efforts geared towards harnessing the collective efforts of all Ambazonians to effect “self-determination”. While others may have narrowed down their definition of self-determination, it has to be underlined that SCPC has left it as wide as possible, more on which later. The use of “EXTERNAL self-determination” could have transitioned this apparently good point to a good point though.
SCPC condemned the atrocities, in various forms, committed by La République du Cameroun against Southern Cameroons, resolved “continue to demand the release of all prisoners or conscience”, “condemned La République du Cameroun’s culture of impunity, which dehumanises Southern Cameroonians”… among other statements of the crimes committed by La République du Cameroun.
SCPC also outlined the twin aspects of the oft-quoted “root causes” to the failure of the UN in its decolonisation duties and the “bad faith of La République du Cameroun” in breaking their word and commitments subsequent to the 1961 plebiscite.
“Affirmed Southern Cameroonians’ right to self-defence”
These resolutions do not bind any Ambazonian to anything and could bring some good – but hopefully no lasting harm.
The Bad.
The SCPC did not choose to be the APC though nearly a third of the “signatories” are “Ambazonian” by name and several of the G0 “signatories” are “Ambazonian” by act – of fighting for independence of Ambazonia.
SCPC did not deem it politic to plumb for “EXTERNAL self-determination” never mind “independence”. Maybe the conference actually resolved that way, but it is very unlikely that all those entities who “put” their names on the resolutions settled for such vagueries. Did they all really think they should avoid the word “independence”, and then the phrase “external self-determination”? This language matters as it could be argued to buttress La République du Cameroun’s insistence that she is dealing with an internal problem by “granting” concessions.
In parroting the “condemnations” of the international community SCPC is casting itself as a helpless victim, at best, who needs and depends on the kind intervention of the international community, and at worst a supplicant to the same La République du Cameroun, who, after six decades of deliberate acts with a confessed aim to assimilate and destroy cultural identity of Southern Cameroonians, are somehow expected to heed the “appeal to stop”.
This supplicant posture carries on in the analysis of the two aspects of the “root causes”, where despite the “international community’s” history of failing Southern Cameroons, they are being appealed to without “any motivation”. What about pointing out the “bad faith” of La République du Cameroun in complicit guilt with the failings of the UN and then setting up preparations for “negotiations” not only without any mutuality, but seemingly reliant on their latter-day good faith and the international community’s?
La République du Cameroun can bring this document to the international community to show that Southern Cameroonians are begging for a negotiation and ask for time to deal with it internally.
La République du Cameroun’s culture of impunity is “condemned” as it should be but what has it got to do with a country fighting for its independence? If La République du Cameroun promise, hand-on heart to launch investigations to punish whoever, would that fool Ambazonians? (sorry Southern Cameroonians?)
The oddest part of the resolutions is that SCPC has appropriated onto itself the role of negotiator for the people of Southern Cameroons, who it also presumes to represent but chooses to assume a supplicant posture. This act belies the tone of the resolutions where a certain “harmless victim persona” contrasts sharply with the bold reach to grasp the mantle of representative!
And yet that is not all…one entity’s name is missing though its finger prints are all over the resolutions – and that is probably the biggest problem. It is time for Ambazonian entities to stop keeping themselves secret or acting timid so-called for the benefit of “the international community”. Is it really for the benefit of the international community?
It would appear it is as safe for SCPC to take Ambazonia for granted as it is for La République du Cameroun to do – even tame supplicant SCPC does not hesitate to assign itself the posts of “negotiator” and coordinator all while avoiding “independence” and even “EXTERNAL self-determination” for Ambazonia!
Fortuitous Fact-Check
By coincidence Ambazonia News was in a meeting where the question of “who is an Ambazonian?” was addressed. As The Most High God would have it, the personality addressing that question happened to have been a delegate at SCPC. They made it clear that an Ambazonians is primarily, in the current situation, someone who fights for Ambazonian independence. By contrast, it is well known that the invisible entity behind the SCPC defines Ambazonians as “people born in Southern Cameroons”, in a bid to appear “inclusive”. That delegate, responding to follow up questions, declared they had not seen the resolutions and that they had expected the theme of “independence” to be central, alongside “referendum” as a way of getting the Ambazonian people’s sovereign choice. Neither of these are in the current document, nor even the milder “EXTERNAL self-determination”.
Yet another delegate was more dismissive of the SCPC, questioning how people living in La République du Cameroun had been able to attend the SCPC in Canada in person and go back. Ambazonia News is reserving some of the assertions that accompanied this contributor’s statements.
What to do About SCPC?
If you were a delegate and/or signatory or implied signatory, you need to read it and ensure you agree. After reading, if you wish to exercise a right to reply please head to ambazonia.news and submit a comment or send comments through WhatsApp.
If you were not a delegate you similarly have a right to comment on the resolutions on whether you give SCPC permission to represent you as they propose and/or on the basis they propose. It is important! Your silence will be taken as consent!
For our part Ambazonia News is confident that even if SCPC turns out to be a LIMBE Horse its sheer inconsistencies will overwhelm it as The Most High God is the Watchman of Ambazonia. SCPC mentions 1984, presumably La République du Cameroun’s secession decree. The good point for Ambazonia is that that decree reverted LRC to its 1960 borders and liberated Ambazonia (also called Southern Cameroons) from the already unsigned-off and majorly breached-and-invalidated “union”. The upshot is that no resolution of the Ambazonian Liberation Struggle could be considered, embarked upon or contemplated, other than from the basis of two states – as if we were in the plebiscite campaign period, except now, with the benefit of hind sight of how the “expected loose association with La République du Cameroun could turn”. It is worth reading HCB 28/92 – the Bamenda High Court ruling in Ambazonia Vs La République du Cameroun.
Want to read the SCPC resolutions? Find them here
Ambazonian Independence is locked.
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