Southern West Cameroon Revisited (1950-1972) Volume One: Unveiling Inescapable Traps

Contents

v Table of Contents Acknowledgements..............................................................................xi Foreword................................................................................................. xiii Preface......................................................................................................xv Abbreviations......................................................................................... xxiii Introduction............................................................................................................................................................xxxiii List of Photographs..............................................................................xxxv Chapter 1: Independence And Reunification: An Analysis Of Basic Issues............................................................................................1 A Historical Panorama............................................................................1 Double British Standards....................................................................... 3 A Broad Analysis of the Issues..............................................................6 The Paradox............................................................................................. 8 Southern Cameroons Refused Independence.....................................8 Nature, Reason and Shape of Reaction................................................12 Milne’s Revelations Revolutionize Cameroon History......................15 Chapter 2: Reunification Account: Setting Basic Records Straight.....................................................................................................23 Golden Jubilee Celebrations Whet Appetites..................................... 23 Distinction of the Summit Magazine interview..................................25 The Response: Inherent Limitations....................................................27 Reunification: Certainly, Not a “Gamble”!..........................................29 Best Decision Everything Being Equal................................................31 Forging a Unique Identity......................................................................33 Southern Cameroons: Political Maturity..............................................34 Special UNTC Status and Privileges....................................................35 A Case of Sheer ‘Bad Faith’...................................................................37 Two Critical Omissions and a Flawed Target.....................................40 Victims, Predators and Oppressors......................................................41 The “Royal Presidency of Alhadji Ahmadou Ahidjo”.......................44 Chapter 3: Southern Cameroons: Political Maturity.................. 49 An Evolved Political Culture.................................................................49 vi Qualifications and Political Leadership................................................52 A Distinct Southern Cameroons Political Culture.............................57 Peaceful, Harmonious Transfer of Power in 1959.............................58 The Sagacity of Traditional Rulers........................................................59 High Calibre Political Leaders: Products of their Time.....................61 “Maquizzards”, Rebels, Nationalists, or Freedom Fighters..............65 ‘Jocular’ Not Bloody Fights................................................................... 70 Political Leaders: Past, Present and Global.........................................71 Visionary Leaders: Simple, Austere, Honest and Realistic................73 Malcolm Milne Pays Glowing Tribute to Foncha Cabinet...............74 A Unique Southern Cameroons Civil Service.....................................75 Cameroonisation......................................................................................77 Chapter Four: The Plebiscite: Litmus Test Of Political Maturity................................................................................................... 81 Origins of the Plebiscite......................................................................... 84 The Mamfe Plebiscite Conference 10-11 August 1959.....................85 Role of Kamerun Students Unions.......................................................87 Plebiscite: Basic Irreconcilable Positions.............................................89 The UN Debate: A Catch 22 Scenario.................................................90 Plebiscite Questions: Reasons and Genesis.........................................95 The Plebiscite in Context: Statistical Analysis.....................................99 Invisible Hand of British Colonial Administration...........................100 Consistent Voting Patterns in Favour of Secession...........................101 British Support: Remarkable Suggestive Trends................................ 103 Best Solution Obstructed by Britain.....................................................107 Conclusion................................................................................................111 Chapter 5: The Constitutional Marathon, From Bamenda to Foumban................................................................................................. 115 The Bamenda All Party Conference: 26-28 June 1961......................115 Endeley Refrained from Attending Bamenda Conference...............118 Ndeh Ntumazah: Opponent and Critic...............................................118 “Unanimous Endorsement at Bamenda”............................................120 Foumban Constitutional Conference: 16-21 July 1961..................... 121 Representation at the Conference.........................................................123 Reception at Foumban........................................................................... 125 vii President Ahidjo Opens the Conference.............................................126 Foncha Speaks for Southern Cameroons Delegation........................130 Endeley for Reconciliation.....................................................................132 Fuelling Conspiracy Theories: “Endeley Exclusions”.......................133 Time Extended for Anglophone Delegates........................................ 136 Thoroughness and Harmony.................................................................137 Closing Remarks......................................................................................139 “Foumban Conference in Complete Agreement”............................. 140 Fonlon Facilitates Serene Procedure....................................................141 Chapter 6: Foumban: Beyond The Constitutional Conference..............................................................................................143 Contemporary Observations on Foumban Accord...........................143 Mukong: Critical of Britain and the UN..............................................143 President Ahidjo’s Magnanimity........................................................... 144 Equality Clause: Reunification a Political Decision............................145 Devolution in Point of Law...................................................................145 Pertinent, Sober Reflections with Hindsight.......................................147 Albert Mukong: Pertinent View............................................................148 Nerius N Mbile Favours Centralisation...............................................149 Emmanuel Egbe: Reflections on Foumban........................................151 Foncha: Star of Foumban, Awards and Decorations........................ 152 Foncha: Civil and Municipal Decorations...........................................154 The Setting: Significance........................................................................ 155 Other Awards, Tributes and Decorations........................................... 156 Penultimate Conclusion..........................................................................157 Beyond the “Glitter and Glamour of Foumban.................................158 Doubts Cast about Security................................................................... 158 Choice of Foumban: A Contrary View................................................160 Alleged massive ‘Corruption’ and Deceit............................................ 161 Anglophones Delegates Opportunely Undeceived!...........................163 A ramified conclusion.............................................................................168 Chapter 7: Foncha’s Waterloo: “Secret Deals and Hidden Constitution”..........................................................................................171 Smear Campaigns and Conspiracy theories.........................................171 KNDP-UC joint committee.................................................................. 174 viii Concerted determination to teach Foncha a lesson.......................... 175 The so-called ‘Secret Deal’: Sources.....................................................177 Buea Tripartite Conference: Proceedings and Impact.......................182 Embarrassing disagreements..................................................................186 Open collusion between British and the Republic of Cameroon Delegations...............................................................................................191 Buea Tripartite Conference: Lamentable Future................................194 Conclusion................................................................................................197 Chapter 8: Indictments: Foncha Opposed Southern Cameroons..............................................................................................199 Brash unsubstantiated accusations........................................................199 ‘Independence’ Foncha’s Passion......................................................... 201 KNDP Ideology: “Independence before Reunification”..................206 Double British standards........................................................................208 Towards provoking Civil Strife.............................................................212 John Ngu Foncha: Sketch biography................................................... 217 The Professional Teacher.......................................................................218 Launching into Political Life..................................................................218 Member of Parliament and Party Leader.............................................219 Socio-Cultural and Spiritual Life: House Arrest, Trapped!...............220 Foncha as observed in his Nkwen home town...................................223 Conclusion................................................................................................225 Chapter 9: Malcolm Milne or “Dr.Jerkyll and Mr.Hyde” 227 The ‘Nadir’: Malcolm Milne Awful disclosures..................................227 Dread of Destitution...............................................................................230 Harold Macmillan: “Wind of Change Address”.................................231 Malcolm and Field innately idiosyncratic.............................................233 Malcolm Milne pays generous tributes to civil...