Blood and Palm Oil: The Changing Face of Eric Tataw in the Anglophone Conflict

Eric Tataw, a Cameroonian native now residing in Maryland, USA, has significantly altered his stance on the ongoing conflict in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon over the past three years. Known as “Garri Master”, Tataw was once a staunch supporter of the separatist movement seeking an independent nation called Ambazonia. He had been vocal in encouraging violence against workers of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), the country’s second-largest employer after the government.

He gained notoriety for urging separatist fighters to cut off the hands and fingers of plantation workers who continued to work despite the conflict. This call for violence has been a significant part of his role in the ongoing conflict, which has seen numerous human rights abuses and widespread violence.

In 2020, Eric Tataw incited separatist fighters to target CDC workers, stating, “A regiment of the Ambazonia National Army (ANA) has been instructed to hit major LR areas in #Fako and #Meme and to also flatten a total of 8 economic and cash flow pots of the Cameroon government, beginning with the CDC, effective immediately. Expect actions in these areas.”

The CDC, a major producer of palm oil, palm nuts, tea, rubber, and bananas, employed 25,000 workers before the conflict disrupted its operations. Tataw’s calls for violence have had a severe impact on the corporation’s production. According to Crux, many CDC production sites have been closed, with only seven of 29 sites fully operational. CDC manager Franklin Ngoni Njie reported a dramatic drop in production: rubber fell from 16,000 metric tonnes in 2016 to 4,507 metric tonnes in 2020; palm oil production dropped from 22,375 metric tonnes to 8,493 metric tonnes; and banana production plummeted from 113,858 to 6,178 metric tonnes over the same period.

The conflict, fueled in part by Tataw’s incitement, led to significant casualties among CDC workers. In 2023, Pan African Visions reported over 26 CDC workers killed and more than 50 injured, some having had their hands severed as part of the violence.

Personal Interests Prompt Tataw’s Change of Heart

In early 2021, Tataw’s business, Dimmples, began to thrive, including investments in palm oil from the CDC. As Tataw started importing CDC palm oil to the United States, his rhetoric shifted. He began to discourage violence against workers and students, though he acknowledges that the attacks against those involved in palm oil production had been orchestrated.

MMI has documented Tataw’s promotional materials for CDC-branded palm oil, noting that the packaging includes both French and English. MMI confirmed the consistency of this packaging in Cameroonian stores.

When approached by the media about his business dealings with the CDC, Tataw responded, “The first thing is that the CDC is not owned by the Cameroonian government… As a citizen of Southern Cameroons, CDC is in my land in the South West region. I have every right to import what the CDC produces at this point because strategies change.” He added, “I am for CDC, and I will continue to import its produce to use proceeds for things that are important to me, especially charity.”

This change in Tataw’s perspective appears to be driven by personal gain. While he now enjoys a lavish lifestyle in Maryland, the legacy of his earlier advocacy continues to haunt the families and communities he impacted in Cameroon.

In addition to his activism, Eric Tataw has faced legal issues in the United States. He was arrested in August 2023 on charges related to wire fraud and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud. Investigations revealed that he had used fraudulent means to obtain loans and had attempted to tamper with witnesses during court proceedings

Mimi Mefo Info