Biafra and Southern Cameroons might 'join forces to achieve independence'
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| Biafra and Southern Cameroons might 'join forces to achieve independence' |
In 1997, Akwanga was imprisoned and tortured in Cameroon for six years due to his political activism. He is now the president of the Southern Cameroons Youth League.
Akwanga believes his people might ally with pro-Biafrans in south-eastern Nigeria, who are also fighting to gain independence. "Political sequences took place which affected our culture, language, traditions, everything that makes us a people," he said.
"Around 1984 the Cameroon
Anglophone Movement started. It was first looking for a return to a
federal system of governance and later on became the Southern Cameroon
Restoration Movement.
Anglophone Movement started. It was first looking for a return to a
federal system of governance and later on became the Southern Cameroon
Restoration Movement.
"The Southern Cameroons Youth
League was born and our goal was simple: We wanted the total and
unconditional independence of the Southern Cameroons."
League was born and our goal was simple: We wanted the total and
unconditional independence of the Southern Cameroons."
A coordinator of Ipob in
Nigeria's Anambra state, who spoke to IBtimes UK on condition of
anonymity, confirmed pro-Biafrans and people in Southern Cameroons might
come together. He said: "IPOB
is ready to work or join forces with any group seeking for independence
from slavery and persecution. And our people in Southern Cameroon are
not any different."
Nigeria's Anambra state, who spoke to IBtimes UK on condition of
anonymity, confirmed pro-Biafrans and people in Southern Cameroons might
come together. He said: "IPOB
is ready to work or join forces with any group seeking for independence
from slavery and persecution. And our people in Southern Cameroon are
not any different."
Union 'highly likely'
David Otto, CEO of UK-based global security provider TGS Intelligence
Consultants, told IBTimes UK that a union between the two groups is very
likely and could further destabilise the region.
Consultants, told IBTimes UK that a union between the two groups is very
likely and could further destabilise the region.
"Although the Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNS) is purely a
peaceful movement, they could be tempted to join forces with the Biafra
movement, which has been vocal in their willingness to use arms against the Nigerian government," said Otto.
peaceful movement, they could be tempted to join forces with the Biafra
movement, which has been vocal in their willingness to use arms against the Nigerian government," said Otto.
"The Biafran movement will prefer to use their affiliation with members
of the SCNC to secure a safe haven in Cameroon or perhaps use Cameroon
as a point to launch attacks against the Nigerian government.
of the SCNC to secure a safe haven in Cameroon or perhaps use Cameroon
as a point to launch attacks against the Nigerian government.
"The entire region will be in chaos from both ends and it will be easier for Boko Haram terrorists to hijack the opportunity and extend southwards in Cameroon and Nigeria."
Otto also said that a holistic
approach is required to resolve issues of self-determination and
independence and called on both government to organise a referendum on
independence.
approach is required to resolve issues of self-determination and
independence and called on both government to organise a referendum on
independence.
"There is no need for
government to wait until arms and violence becomes the only option. Self
determination referendums have been successfully done in many countries
including Ethiopia, UK, Canada, Spain, etc. In a democratic setting,
let the people decide their destiny."
government to wait until arms and violence becomes the only option. Self
determination referendums have been successfully done in many countries
including Ethiopia, UK, Canada, Spain, etc. In a democratic setting,
let the people decide their destiny."
Government position
The government of Nigerian
President Muhammadu Buhari has always maintained that Nigeria's unity is
a priority for the country and that although peaceful pro-Biafran
protests are welcome, demanding the breakaway of the Biafran territories
is against the constitution.
President Muhammadu Buhari has always maintained that Nigeria's unity is
a priority for the country and that although peaceful pro-Biafran
protests are welcome, demanding the breakaway of the Biafran territories
is against the constitution.
The Nigerian government told IBTimes UK that
it does not consider the separatist movement a threat to the current
leadership, and defined pro-Biafrans as an "insignificant number of
frustrated people who are not a threat to the existence of Nigeria."
it does not consider the separatist movement a threat to the current
leadership, and defined pro-Biafrans as an "insignificant number of
frustrated people who are not a threat to the existence of Nigeria."
In several interviews with IBTimes UK, the army and the police denied allegations of violence during
pro-Biafran protests, arguing that security forces had to intervene as
pro-Biafrans "were armed and disrupted peace in the state."
pro-Biafran protests, arguing that security forces had to intervene as
pro-Biafrans "were armed and disrupted peace in the state."
The Cameroonian embassy in London has not replied to a request for comment.
When contacted by IBTimes UK, the UK government said: "The position of
the UK government during the Biafran War is a matter of historical
record. The UK government's position, which reflected the Charter of the
Organisation of African Unity, was to recognise the borders laid down
at Independence.
the UK government during the Biafran War is a matter of historical
record. The UK government's position, which reflected the Charter of the
Organisation of African Unity, was to recognise the borders laid down
at Independence.
"The Biafran War caused great suffering and the UK supported the
reconciliation work that followed the conflict. The UK supports the
territorial integrity of Nigeria and President Buhari's commitment to
work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all Nigerians."
reconciliation work that followed the conflict. The UK supports the
territorial integrity of Nigeria and President Buhari's commitment to
work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all Nigerians."
IBTimes UK also understands that the UK recognises the 1961 annexion of
southern Cameroons to Cameroon as legitimate. The UK government also
encourages all political groups in Cameroon to engage constructively and
respect the democratic process for bringing their political ideology
before the people of Cameroon.
southern Cameroons to Cameroon as legitimate. The UK government also
encourages all political groups in Cameroon to engage constructively and
respect the democratic process for bringing their political ideology
before the people of Cameroon.
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