Government’s reconstrution of Southern Cameroon can’t work- muslim scholar

The engagement of the government of Cameroon in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme,UNDP to reconstruct the North West and the South West regions partially destroyed by the war of independence since 2016 has been rated as a non event and an unrealistic venture.

Abdul Karim; a Southern Cameroons activist speaking to Mimi Mefo Info Saturday August 8th 2020 in Douala says “What will come at the end of the war will be reparation from La Republic du Cameroun.They will have to pay for all the material and human destructions they have inflicted on Southern Cameroonians for decades.Despite the drama staged by UNDP,the United Nations knows so well that nothing as reconstruction can take place in an area where insecurity remains at its peak”.

The activist qualifies the involvement of the international community in negotiating for peace in Cameroon as “…a diesel engine that moves slowly but definitely gets to its destination”.He applauds Switzerland for leading negotiation talks supported by many countries and other international bodies. “La Republic du Cameroon is instead dragging its feet to come to the table of negotiation while playing delay tactics by organizing the grand national dialogue and today the so called reconstruction plan.All these won’t work.”To him, the US diplomat Tibor Nagy made it clear that what Southern Cameroonians want is not reconstruction but the management of their own affairs.

Reacting to discussions between the government of Cameroon and leaders of Ambazonia serving prison terms in Yaounde,Abdul Karim sees nothing wrong to talk to those that have sacrifice their all to safe the people of Southern Cameroon.Despite this, he holds that Sisiku Ayuk Tabe Julius and other leaders in detention should be release for them to better negotiate the future of their country.Failure to respect that, he regrets that prisoners are in a disadvantaged position to negotiate for the future of their country.

On the frequent disagreements between Ambazonia leaders in the diaspora originating from accusations of misappropriation of funds and tribalism,Abdul Karim says such actions are inevitable among people that have been ‘held in captivity’ for decades and today has the freedom to talk. To him, the focus of achieving total independence remains the binding force of all the disagreements.

In a related view,he expresses uncertainty if atrocities committed by some civilians in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon are carried out by real ambazonia freedom fighters.He thinks many commit bad things today in the regions and attribute to the fighters.

“The death of Nganyu Thomas Tangem;an anglophone detainee while chained to his hospital bed on instruction of Youande administration depicts how all Southern Cameroonians are not free in the hands of La Republic.They treat us as slaves and animals”.Abdul Karim states in visibly emotional pain.He adds that all such treatment have been taking place for decades but has to stop.

The muslim scholar has indicated that serving a jail term or being detained in prisons in Cameroon is the worst thing to happen but if that will bring about freedom to his people then he will gladly accept arrest. “The international community knows am in Cameroon.I am not bordered”.

Mimi Mefo Info.