Ambazonia: Historical Timeline and the Post 1972 Period
In our editorial today we continue with the historical timeline of Ambazonia. By the end of last week, we had moved right across 1972, where we started laying the foundation of the news conference that will be powered by UNDAUNTED-AMBA NEWS the week of the 20th of May this year. Again, I want you to know that We will bring you details on the program in the days ahead.
Again and again it is important for us to always say this; In a world where storytelling can never be overemphasised, Ambazonians have got to tell their own story correctly and by themselves. It starts with getting historical facts straight!
In our editorial of today, we will make progress as we recount the historicity of today's Ambazonia. Before this day, we had a walk through Pre-1858 - Ambas Bay before the arrival of the Europeans, 1858 – The City of Victoria established by Alfred Saker, 1884 – Establishment of the Ambas Bay Protectorate. 1887 – The Ambas Bay Protectorate Ceded to Germany, 1916 – Britain and France occupy German Kamerun and 1919 – German Kamerun divided at the Versailles Treaty. We moved into 1922 - The Cameroons became a League of Nations Mandate. Fast forwarded in 1946 – we will examine how The Southern Cameroons became a UN Trust Territory. And ended 1954 – when The Southern Cameroons attained Self-Rule in Buea.
On Tuesday last we started 1959 – Free and Fair elections held in the Southern Cameroons. We got into 1960 – Southern Cameroons leaders visited the UK and the UN. We also went into 1961 – UN Plebiscite vote held in the Southern Cameroons. And finally, we talked about 1961 – Independence to the Southern Cameroons.
By Friday, we examined 1961 – Independence to the Southern Cameroons. When further into 1965 – H.E. Bobe Augustine Ngom Jua becomes Prime Minister. Came through into 1968 – Hon Solomon Tandeng Muna becomes Prime Minister and finally into 1972 – The State of the Southern Cameroons abolished.
Today, we take you into 1973 – Hon. Solomon Tandeng Muna made Speaker of Parliament
With the state of the Southern Cameroons dissolved, and the position of Prime minister suppressed, Hon. Solomon Tandeng Muna, who was complicit in this treachery and betrayal of the Southern Cameroons, was made President of the National Assembly of Cameroon, serving from 1973 to 1988. The spirit of Nationalism amongst the peoples of the Southern Cameroons however never died out, though suppressed, and will emerge again two decades later in an attempt to restore our statehood.
1984 - Biya unilaterally changes the Name of the Country
In 1984, a year after becoming President, Paul Biya of Cameroon doubles down on his Annexation and Assimilation agenda of the the Southern Cameroons - Ambazonia with a Presidential decree changing the name of the country from United Republic of Cameroon to the Republic of Cameroon, and removing one star from the country’s flag, doing away with the last symbols of a once Federated state. This move was considered by many, led by Fon. Gorgi Dinka (the father of Ambazonia), as the unilateral secession of French Cameroun from the defunct Union.
1984 again - Ambazonian Restoration Council demands end to Union
The Ambazonia Restoration Movement (ARM) led by Fon. Gorgi Dinka, the father of Ambazonia, demands from President Biya either the total implementation of The Plebiscite Treaty between Cameroon and Southern Cameroons or that Cameroun totally withdraws her administration from the erstwhile Southern Cameroons in the event of failure to honor the said Treaty of union. A resolute Pan-Ambazonian patriot, this move sparked a Nationalist movement in Ambazonia, leading to the creation of groups like the SCNC, SCAPO, The Youth League, etc, a decade later.
I know that this historical recount of Ambazonia truth is gradually getting interesting, but will pause here for today. As 20th May is fast approaching, our objective is to establish with clarity some of these things by giving Ambazonians sufficient reasons why they must boycott the 20th May entirely.
Remember all through next weekend we will be having a News conference, and this will be an intrinsic part of the discussion.
But before then as always, we want to thank our editor-in-chief and news director Tarh Paddy King for putting together these historical details for your enjoyment. Do you want more of this? Visit our website at www.abcambatv.com for more.
I am Star Smart reporting for undaunted - ABC Amba News.
