Julius Nyiawung (Nyih) has assumed leadership of the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGOVC), the political wing of the Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF), a separatist group involved in the armed struggle for independence in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions. Nyih’s ascension follows the arrest and detention of Ayaba Cho Lucas, who had led the organisation since its inception.
Norwegian authorities announced the arrest of Ayaba Cho on Wednesday, September 25, citing allegations of incitement to commit crimes against humanity.
In a late-night address to supporters, Julius Nyih, previously the vice president of AGOVC, confirmed Ayaba Cho’s arrest and announced that he had been chosen to act as interim leader until Ayaba’s release.
“The war in the two regions of Cameroon continues,” Nyih emphasized. He assured supporters that a succession plan had been activated: “In the last 24 hours, the AGOVC has put in motion the strategic plan for continuity and succession,” he stated, declaring himself the new leader.
Nyih praised the resilience of AGOVC members during this period of uncertainty. “I applaud all the leaders, heads of projects, fighters, and sympathisers of AGOVC who have maintained their composure, resilience, and respect for the rules and statutes governing continuity and succession within this short period where the leader is unavailable,” he said.
Ayaba Cho Not Only Target
Nyih revealed that Ayaba Cho was not the only AGOVC activist targeted. According to him, other US-based members of the organisation were also interrogated by authorities, though Ayaba was the only one detained.
“Your leader was taken away for questioning and arranged before a judge for alleged incitement of breaches of international humanitarian law,” Nyih said, adding, “Other comrades questioned in the US have since been released.”
Repeated Arrests
This is not the first time separatist activists have faced legal challenges in connection to the ongoing conflict in Cameroon.
Nyih emphasized that Ambazonian activists have previously faced interrogation by authorities, citing his own experience three years ago when Irish police came to his home. “It happened three years ago, when I was visited by police in my Irish residence. Ambazonians have been arrested in various countries, including the US, about the war declared on us by La République du Cameroun,” he noted.
Cameroon Government Responsible
Nyih accused the government of Cameroon of orchestrating Ayaba’s arrest. Although the authorities in Yaoundé have remained silent on the issue, he said, “We know the origin of this arrest and search warrants. They come from a dying regime occupying our land.”
Nyih believes the AGOVC is being targeted due to its success in mobilizing support for a recent two-week lockdown in the Anglophone regions. “The AGOVC is being targeted for decapitation as a result of the overwhelming support that ground zero gave to the recent two-week lockdown,” he claimed.
Continueing Ayaba’s Mission
Despite Ayaba Cho’s detention, Nyih has vowed to continue leading the AGOVC and its armed wing, the ADF, in their struggle for independence.
“I have some news for Cameroon. You can arrest every Ambazonian, but the war will continue until we are free,” Nyih declared.
He warned that more arrests may follow, but reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to its cause: “We have signed up to free Ambazonia, and Cameroon should understand that this is the generation that will end its occupation and calamity in Ambazonia.”
Julius Nyih went further, declaring, “As Cameroon has been defeated in the war, it shows the signs of a dying regime.”
Undeterred by recent events, he vowed to sustain the ADF’s military activities: “We are prepared to continue our offensive and defensive actions on the ground,” he stated, emphasizing that the ADF operates “in strict respect of international humanitarian law.”
The transition in AGOVC leadership comes at a critical time for the movement, but Nyih is determined to press on with their quest for Ambazonia’s independence.
