The suspicious silence of the government of Cameroon over the widely publicised arrest of separatist leader, Lucas Ayaba Cho, has been attracting public opinion in varied ways. A government noted for ballooning opportunities like this through its main communication spokespersons, the Ministry of Communication or the Ministry of Territorial Administration, has instead maintained sealed lips, leaving the national broadcaster, CRTV, to fill the vacuum.
To also think that the government of Cameroon has never publicly declared Ayaba Cho a security risk and sued for his arrest, as they did for Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and others, provokes thoughts on whether the government is playing safe on the Ayaba Cho affair.
Is the Government Hiding Something?
Suspicions surrounding Ayaba Cho’s operations in the North West and South West Regions have always linked him to having some bed romance with the government of Cameroon. The ease with which he carried out certain operations adorn with the importation of war weapons into Cameroon, informed certain opinions that Ayaba Cho could be a mask man for the government of Cameroon.
Commanding on Ground
Ayaba Cho is noted to be the first and only Separative Leader abroad who landed on ground in Dadi, Akwaya, flanked by some elements of his Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF). How he managed to set foot on ground, an area largely militarised by the Cameroon Defence Forces, still remains a mystery. However, his presence on the ground bolstered his forces and gave a different orientation to the crisis.
In addition, Ayaba Cho and ADF have always showcased their war might with very sophisticated weapons. How they managed to enter the borders of Cameroon with such weapons remains a mystery. However, bookmakers remain on the opinion that the Separatist Leader must be working with an insider in government.
Ayaba Cho Styled Killings and Kidnappings
Arguably, Ayaba Cho remains the most dreaded Ambazonia leader yet. He unlike the other separatist leader, commanded a more organised armed group, with a top to bottom command chain. This enabled him to smoothly carry out his operations unperturbed. His unique ways of carrying out operations on ground gave him a superior touch and made him a dreaded armed separatist leader.
Many killings and kidnappings have been linked to Ayaba Cho and his ADF elements. The killing of the first ever Cameroon Administrator, the now former DO of Batibo, the killing of the wardress, Florence Ayafor, the Guzang massacres (both of other separatist fighters and recently, of two innocent civilians), the killing of SDF Senator, Henry Kemende, and the kidnapping of Senator Regina Mundi, amongst others, are some of the high-profile actions perpetrated by Ayaba Cho.
All these have been done under the watchful eyes of the government of Cameroon, who has repeatedly been accused of not doing enough to end the onslaught of the separatist leader.
What if the government worked with Ayaba Cho?
It is safe to say that now that Ayaba Cho has been arrested, his interrogations will expose many hidden truths. The Norwegian security apparatus will be rigorous in grilling Ayaba Cho on his operations in Cameroon. Most probably, it is likely, Ayaba Cho will detail his operations and collaborators. If he reveals that he worked closely with the government of Cameroon and it is proven to be true, it could turn the whole investigation process to a whole new level. It could cause the indictment of the government officials associated with working with him to stand trial. It could also slow or abort any plans of extraditing him to Cameroon.
Whether Ayaba Cho worked with the government of Cameroon or not, it is very imperative for the government to be consistent with its communication. At this moment, Cameroonians await the government’s stance on Ayaba Cho’s arrest and possibly a positive roadmap drawn to see lasting peace and normalcy in the two English speaking regions.
