“Ambazonians, Self Defence Groups look up to me” – Sisiku Ayuk Tabe

Jailed Ambazonian leader Ayuk Tabe has defended Ambazonia self-defense groups and diaspora activists stating that they “automatically sprung up to defend themselves, their families and communities against the war declared on the people of the Southern Cameroons by Mr Biya.”

“As the President of the Interim Government of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia,
Ambazonians from all walks of life both at home and in the diaspora including those in the self-defense groups look up to me,” Ayuk Tabe told Le Messager newspaper.

Talking on their arrest in Abuja, Nigeria and trial, Ayuk Tabe said it has only strengthened their resolve further in the struggle for the restoration of the statehood of Southern Cameroons.

“We recognize that there is no justice to be gotten from a Cameroun regime that violates international law by abducting refugees & asylum … years in captivating and illegal detention, the regime, by its brutal actions has only served to convince us and many more Southern Cameroonians of the validity of our cause and the need to remain steadfast,” he said.

“The military tribunal made it near impossible for us to appeal the judgements of life sentences handed down by imposing a huge cost and giving a very limited time to file all submissions,” he added.

While “one of the causes of the conflict has been the systematic destruction of Southern Cameroon’s Anglo-Saxon education system by the Biya regime over the past 38 years,” Ayuk Tabe said the 3000 death toll figure “have been grossly understated, presumably to conceal the fact that Cameroun’s Military is committing genocide in the Southern Cameroons.”

“When the internationally mandated fact-finding mission is finally convened, the true extent of the genocide will finally be revealed,” he promised.

“Responsibility lies squarely on Mr. Paul Biya and his regime who responded to peaceful demonstrations with force; beatings, rape, torture, arrests, abductions, killings, genocide and massacres. In November 2017 he irresponsibly declared war on the people of Southern Cameroons,” Sisiku Ayuk told the newspaper.

Asked about the different laws that came out of the National Major Dialogue, National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR), National Commission for Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, the politician said “the initiatives Mr Biya and his regime are purporting to put in place have nothing to do with any of the root causes of the conflict.”

With regards for a negotiated settlement, “we have put together a team of persons to represent Ambazonia in the event of any genuine negotiations with La Republique du Cameroun. The details will be made public when the moment arrives,” he said.

Mimi Mefo Info