LETTER TO BRITISH MP ELLWOOD
Dear Hon. Tobias Ellwood,
As I write these words, a crime against humanity (colonial domination of a people) and other crimes bordering on genocide are being committed in the former United Nations British Trust Territory of Southern Cameroons, also known as Southern Cameroons/Ambazonia.
The colonial regime of President Paul Biya is, somewhat, comforted in its so-called right to commit these crimes by letters such as the one you wrote recently. In it, you claimed, erroneously, that the former British Southern Cameroons voted in 1961 to join French-speaking Cameroun.
On behalf of our people, we, at the Movement for the Restoration of the Independence of Southern Cameroons (MoRISC) wish to remind you of our history. Our people voted for independence on 11 February 1961. On 21 April 1961, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 1608 granting us independence. Under the dispositions of UNGA Resolution 1541 of 15 December 1960, we opted for a union of two states, equal in status with the Republic of Cameroon. However, no union treaty was ever negotiated, signed or recorded at the UN General Secretariat in keeping with Articles 102 and 103 of the UN Charter. Article 47 of the Federal Constitution of the so-called union prohibited the making of any law that questions of abrogates the federation of two states, equal in status.
Proof of this commitment having been made is well known to you and all British officials. Until the coup d’etat against Southern Cameroons organized by the then President Ahmadou Ahidjo on 20 May 1972, there existed in the Cameroons two states, equal in status: each with its own government, legislature, judiciary, police force, etc.
Given that Britain failed even to be a party to the talks mandated by the United Nations to include her, should you not be apologizing to the people of Southern Cameroons for the recolonization they have now endured for 56 years? Unless you still believe that Britain is some colonial master, why did you think it appropriate to speak on an issue of sovereignty regarding a people of which you are not a part? Is it a sense of superiority or just racism? Do other peoples of the United Kingdom (such as the Scottish) have a right to self determination that International Law denies Africans of Southern Cameroons? Does the right Britain used to vote in favor of exiting the European Union apply only to Europeans? Are Africans too undeserving of same?
I write to let you know that the crime of genocide about to unfold in Southern Cameroons when we declare our independence restored on the 1st of October 2017 is on your hands. Our people will hold you, the British Government, the French Government, the United Nations and the Biya regime responsible for these crimes either as direct perpetrators, accomplices or accessories.
Sorry for being long on text, but I did not have an email for you and wanted urgently to let you know that the bloodshed you seem to wish on Southern Cameroons is about to begin flowing. As one of the leaders encouraging our people to give their lives, if need be in order to obtain the freedom and sovereignty we seek, I will forever be haunted by any blood spilled and lives lost. May you realize that it is because of people like you, denying us dignity, that we will only live free or die.
Most respectfully,
Ntumfoyn Boh Herbert (Yindo Toh)
Spokesperson, MoRISC
Email: spokesperson@morisc.org
