The Reunification Debate in British Southern Cameroons: The Role of French Cameroon Immigrants

Acknowledgement

v Acknowledgement This book is the outcome of a research work for the terminal degree started in 2008. The objective was to investigate the role “settlers” from French Cameroon played in the decolonisation politics of the British Southern Cameroons. Following a brilliant defence of the thesis and its contribution to historical knowledge, the jury headed by Professor Daniel Abwa of the University of Yaounde 1, recommended the publication of my findings and revelations. The publication of this book has also been inspired by the planned celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the 1961 Reunification of the two Cameroons. In fact, October 1, 2011 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Reunification of Cameroon. It was on October 1, 1961 that the British Southern Cameroons reunified with La Republique du Cameroun (Former French Cameroon) to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. The Reunification of Cameroon remains the most significant event in the post-colonial history of Cameroon and several scholars have in their publications paid tribute to J.N. Foncha and Amadou Ahidjo and the indigenes of the Southern Cameroons in general as the architects of this Reunification. This book brings out the key role played by French Cameroon immigrants in the Reunification debate in the Southern Cameroon. It reveals that they initiated the idea, propagated it and converted many Southern Cameroonians to vote for reunification at the 1961 UN-organised plebiscite. I hope this book will be a major contribution to the understanding of the events that culminated in the Reunification of the two Cameroons in October 1961. Of all the deep debts of gratitudes incurred in writing this book, none is greater than that to Professor Emeritus V.G. Fanso my academic mentor who supervised my PhD thesis and accepted to read the first draft of this book. Professors Daniel vi Abwa, Thierno Bah, Bongfen Chem-Langhee and Mathew Gwanfogbe encouraged me to venture in this direction. My colleagues of the Department of History, University of Buea offered constructive and sympathetic criticisms which influenced the style and structure of the book. I am also indebted to my dear wife, Mbuyongha Caroline Messii because she took off time to read some of my drafts and to cater for my emotional and physical needs when I was preparing the manuscript. To all these people and those I cannot mention here, I say thank you. Joseph Lon NFI March 2013 ...