RESOLUTIONS ASSC II- WASHINGTON DC 2022
Theme: Refocusing the Quest of Ambazonia’s Never Again Generation
Ambazonia Stakeholders Strategic Conference II
10th-13th MARCH, 2022 WASHINGTON DC -USA
PREAMBLE OF THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE ASSC II-WASHINGTON DC 2022
I.
1. Considering that the territory of the Southern Cameroons/Ambazonia belongs in its entirety to the people of Ambazonia and no one can assert a greater right to that territory than the people of Ambazonia themselves.
2. Reaffirming the inalienable right of all peoples to self-determination and independence in accordance with the principles set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and in General Assembly Resolution 1514(XV) of 14 December 1960, containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and peoples.
3. Considering the fundamental principle of international law that every people with their own internationally defined territory have a right to rule themselves within that territory.
4. Considering that the 1961 UN-organised Plebiscite in the Southern Cameroons was about Southern Cameroons independence though in association with either Nigeria or the Republic of Cameroun.
5. Considering further that the UN followed up the Plebiscite vote and conducted its own vote on the Southern Cameroons independence on 21 April 1961 recording an overwhelming “Yes” vote for Southern Cameroons to achieve independence on 1st October 1961, resulting in Res. 1608(XV);
6. Considering further that the Republic of Cameroun voted against union with the Southern Cameroons in UNGA Res. 1608(XV) of 21st April 1961 when the matter was put to vote and thereby declared its intention to annex and not to join.
II.
1. Recalling that in 1959 the President of the Republic of Cameroon, Amadou Ahidjo, swore before the United Nations that Cameroun had no expansionist ambitions; that they were not annexationists and that they were prepared to enter into association with the Southern Cameroons on the basis of equality.
2. Recalling that by virtue of the transfer of power from the United Kingdom to the Republic of Cameroun on 30th September 1961the territory of the Southern Cameroons was therefore never decolonized as per UNGA Res. 1514 of 14th December 1960 and that Cameroun is therefore holding the territory simply as an executor de son tort or executor of his own wrong.
3. Considering that the alleged 1961 Federation between the Republic of Cameroun and the Southern Cameroons was never a true federation adopted by the Parliaments of both sides but the mere amendment of the Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon that was imposed on the Southern Cameroons.
4. Recalling further that Article 47(1) of the imposed federal constitution promised the indissolubility of the federation to the Southern Cameroonians, but the federation was abolished a few years down the road in violation of the constitution and through the fraud of asking both federated states to vote instead of limiting the vote strictly to the Southern Cameroons.
5. Considering that profiting from the transfer of power by the United Kingdom to the Republic of Cameroun, the Republic of Cameroun has since systematically proceeded to annex and occupy the Southern Cameroons by various fraudulent and illegal methods.
6. Considering the fundamental incompatibility between the people of Ambazonia and the people of the Republic of Cameroon who do not have the same educational system, do not have the same legal system; do not have the same colonial history; do not have the same state culture; do not have the same language; do not have the same outlook to life or mentality; do not share the same values, and virtually disagree on every aspect of running the state;
III.
1. Considering that under Cameroon’s illegal occupation and its external domination of Ambazonia, Ambazonians have been banned from peaceful assembly as a people; the French language has been imposed on them; their educational and legal systems are being destroyed and they are prohibited from even questioning the terms on which Cameroun is ruling their territory.
2. Considering that the People of Ambazonia had their own state with all state structures: House of Assembly, House of Chiefs, Judiciary, Executive, Premier, Constitution and ruled themselves in a multiparty democracy until 1961 and in fact conducted an election in 1959 in which power changed hands without any rancour.
3. Considering the previous peaceful actions of Ambazonians to get Cameroun to abandon its illegal occupation of the territory of Ambazonia, including the Abuja High Court case of 2002; the Banjul Commission Ruling of 2009;
4. Considering the fundamental principles of African integration which vehemently prohibit illegal occupation, annexation and colonization of one people by another and insist on the peaceful resolution of all conflicts.
5. Recalling Agenda 2063 of the African Union and its promise to silence the guns in Africa by 2020.
6. Considering Articles 19 and 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which assert the absolute right of every people to self-determination and prohibit the subjugation of one people by another.
7. Considering Article 4(b) of the African Union Constitutive Act and the OAU Cairo Declaration of 1964 which are emphatic on the fact that the only boundaries recognized by the OUA/AU to its member states are the boundaries they inherited on their day of independence.
8. Recalling that the Republic of Cameroun achieved independence on the 1st of January 1960 without the territory of the Southern Cameroons being a part of it or included in its inherited boundaries;
9. Recalling that there has never been any treaty between the two parties for border adjustment in compliance with Article 102(1) of the UN Charter.
IV.
1. Mindful of the declaration of the restoration of the independence of the people of Former British Southern Cameroons/Ambazonia on the 1st of October 2017.
2. Mindful of the Interim Constitution of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia of 12th June 2018.
3. Mindful of the declaration of war on Ambazonia/Southern Cameroons on November 30th, 2017, by President Paul Biya of French Cameroun.
4. Mindful of the sacrifices made by our Restoration Forces to defend homeland Ambazonia;
5. Mindful of the Interim Constitution of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia;
6. Mindful of the Amba Peace Plan, Local Government Areas and Counties Reforms of 2018, empowering our people of the grassroots to administer themselves and prosecute our liberation struggle through a model of shared governance with their Interim Government;
WE, THE PEOPLE OF AMBAZONIA REPRESENTED BY DELEGATES FROM THE 13 COUNTIES and 61 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF THE FORMER BRITISH SOUTHERN CAMEROONS (AMBAZONIA) AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, MEETING IN WASHINGTON DC - USA AND VIRTUALLY (via THE ZOOM PLATFORM) FROM THE 10TH TO THE 13TH OF MARCH 2022, CONSTITUTED IN THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS THE CONSTITUENT GENERAL ASSEMBLY (CGA) OF THE 2022 AMBAZONIA STAKEHOLDERS STRATEGIC CONFERENCE ASSC II, WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
1) Reiterate and maintain our unflinching support of the Interim Government (IG) led by His Excellency Dr Samuel Ikome Sako, President of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia, as the legitimate representative leadership structure of the People of Ambazonia as empowered in ASSC Berlin 2019.
2) Condemn the detestable actions by some disgruntled Ambazonians who recently resorted to destabilising our interim structures by hijacking the people’s assembly- the Restoration Council and using it as a launchpad to achieve their ulterior political motives.
3) Unanimously rebuke the dishonourable actions by the leadership of the Restoration Council under Mr Elvis Kometa and cohorts including blatantly breaching constitutionality in a desperate attempt to destabilise the executive branch of government, thus slowing the gains achieved thus far in our liberation quest.
4) Appeal to ALL AMBAZONIANS, especially those who have been manipulated to make wrong decisions or hold false opinions on the level of commitment of this Interim Government, to re-join the ranks of true patriots as we continue our liberation quest as a collective determined people.
PART I: CONSOLIDATING THE STRUCTURES OF THE INTERIM
GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE
A. EMPOWERING THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES BY MORE GRASSROOTS REPRESENTATION
1) Change of Name of the Quasi Legislative Structure of the IG - The Restoration Council
i) The name of the quasi-legislative structure of the IG of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia erstwhile referred to as the “Restoration Council (RC)” will henceforth be called the “Interim House of Representatives (IHR)”
ii) The leader of the IHR shall be referred to as “Speaker of the House”.
2) Restructuring of the Quasi Legislative Structure of the IG To Reflect the Evolution of Our Liberation Quest
i) Complete restructuring of the erstwhile Restoration Council now known as The Interim House of Representatives (IHR) to reflect the grassroots representation of our interim structures, by terminating the representation of the defunct Governing Council members in the Interim House of Representatives (IHR).
ii) Uphold and re-enforce ASSC Berlin 2019 Resolution on terminating Diasporan Countries and Regions Representation at the erstwhile Restoration Council, now known as The Interim House of Representatives (IHR), in favour of grassroots representation by LGAs and Counties.
3) Numerical Representation of LGAs and Counties in the Interim House of Representatives (IHR)
i) Constituted LGAs shall be entitled to ONE (01) Representative in the Interim House of Representatives (IHR) per Amba Peace Plan (APP) guidelines adopted in ASSC Berlin 2019.
ii) Any County without constituted LGAs per Amba Peace Plan (APP) guidelines shall be entitled to ONE (01) Representative in the Interim House of Representatives (IHR), elected in a County General Assembly
iii) When there is greater than 50% constituted LGAs of a County, the constituted LGAs shall be entitled to ONE (01) Representative per LGA in the Interim House of Representatives (IHR). Hence the County Representation shall be dropped in favour of LGA Representation.
B. VETTING OF GRASSROOT REPRESENTATIVES AND TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE INTERIM HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1) Interim House of Representatives Vetting Procedure
Vetting of elected LGA and County Representatives to the IHR, using the minimal (basic) vetting tool for screening candidates, is obligatory (cf Vetting Tool for the Interim House of Representatives erstwhile Restoration Council).
2) Terms of Reference(TOR) of the Interim House of Representatives
Revise the present TOR of the erstwhile Restoration Council, now known as the Interim House of Representatives (IHR) to reflect the current circumstances of our liberation struggle, incorporating aspects of the resolutions adopted by the CGA of ASSC II, 2022.
PART II: Amba Peace Plan (APP) REFORMS
A. REVIEW OF AMBA PEACE PLAN (APP)
1) Term of Office for Officials of LGAs and Counties
i) LGA Chairpersons shall have a term of office of TWO (02) Years Renewable.
ii) County Coordinators shall have a term of office of TWO (02) Years Renewable
2) Zonal Partition of the Territory of Ambazonia
The entire territory of Ambazonia shall be partitioned into THREE (03) Geographical Zones namely:
i. Atlantic Zone:
Comprising of Fako, Kupe Muanenguba, Meme and Ndian Counties.
ii. Midland Zone:
Comprising of Lebialem, Manyu, Mezam and Momo Counties.
iii. Savannah Zone:
Comprising of Boyo, Bui, Donga Mantung, Menchum and Ngoketunjia Counties.
3) Creation of Civil Societies in the Territory of Ambazonia
Every LGA/County shall create a Civil Society Network to serve as a “Shadow Interim Structure in the Homeland i.e. GZ-IG)”
B. CREATION OF STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL THINK TANKS
The Interim Government shall facilitate the creation of strategic think tanks including Media, IT, Medics, Engineers, Researchers etc to be attached to the various IG departments to provide them, relevant professional counsel.
C. CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCEDURE
In case of conflicts, the channel for conflict resolution shall follow this organogram: Beginning from LGA →County → IOC →Ethics/Judiciary/Advisory Commissions.
Conflicts at the level of the Executive and the Legislative shall be presented directly to the Ethics/Judiciary/Advisory Commissions.
D. “THE DIASPORA WORLDWIDE LGA ADMINISTRATORS” CONCEPT
The concept of “The Diaspora Worldwide LGA Administrators” has been abolished in favour of empowering the present grassroots structures as laid down in the APP guidelines adopted in ASSC Berlin, 2019.
E. REVIEW OF SECTIONS OF THE APP GUIDELINES.
1) Section 5(1) and (2) of the APP Guideline shall be replaced as follows:
“ All elected Diaspora LGA officials will, therefore, acquire direct or indirect membership for participation in relevant IG meetings”.
2) i) The Restoration Monday fees stipulated in Section 6(b) in the APP Guidelines shall be abolished.
ii) Section 6(f) stipulating “One dollar a day till restoration” shall be replaced by “A monthly LGA levy of at least $20 per member (or at least 240$ per year)”.
3) Concerning Citizenship Levy (CID)
Section 10 (b) of the APP Guidelines shall be replaced as follows:
a) BASIC PLAN: From 10$ monthly (or from 120$ yearly)
b) PILLAR PLAN: From 25$ monthly (or from 300$ yearly)
c) PREMIUM PLAN: From 50$ monthly (or from 600$ yearly)
d) SUPER PLAN: from 100$ monthly (or from 1200$ yearly)
e) ELITES PLAN: From 150$ monthly (or from 1800$ yearly)
PART III - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
A. Resolution by CGA to amend the FRA Interim Constitution
1) CGA resolves to amend the Interim Constitution of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia. That an amendment clause be introduced in the interim constitution prescribing the process of amending the Interim Constitution.
B. Proposals:
1) Article 14(6) on the Quorum for an assembly of the IHR
The quorum for an assembly of the IHR shall be 75 per cent of its members of the House of Representatives from the properly constituted LGAs and Counties. .
2) Voting
Decisions of the IHR that do not conflict with the Constitution can be passed by a simple majority vote of 51% of the representation of the LGAs and Counties.
3) Impeachment of the President
a) There shall be no regular presidential elections during this liberation phase. However in case of acts by the President of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia that are considered high crimes, treason and misdemeanours, making him/her unfit for office, the IHR can vote to impeach (or indict) the President by a 75% majority vote in a full House.
(i) A vote to impeach the President shall not mean removal of the President from Office, it is an indictment that should require a trial.
(ii) A successful impeachment vote shall lead to the President being tried by the 13 County Coordinators following due process, stating established facts and proving intent, with evidence presented by the IHR, and a hearing in the presence of the State Attorney of the Federation. The trial will be overseen by the Judicial Council and Ethics Commission who shall jointly proclaim the verdict.
(iii) Following this trial, a vote of 10 out of the 13 County Coordinators shall be sufficient to remove the President from office, and the Vice President will become the Acting President. The selection of a new president, according to the procedure prescribed in the Interim Constitution must be done within 3 months.
4) Appointment of Cabinet Officials
a) Cabinet appointments or appointments that rise to cabinet-level shall be submitted to the IHR for vetting.
(i) Upon submission of a cabinet appointment by the President of the FRA, the IHR shall have 30 calendar days to do its investigation of the appointee and communicate the facts to the President of the FRA.
(ii) Should the IHR fail to do its work within 30 days of the submission of the cabinet appointee, the cabinet appointee shall automatically assume office with full rights and privileges.
5) Composition of the Ethics Commission
The Ethics Commission shall be composed of seven (07) members appointed by the President and vetted for character and competence by the Interim House of Representatives.
6) Oath- Administration (Strategic Offices within The Office of the President) Administering of Oaths of Office within the Executive Branch shall be done by the Judicial Commission.
7) Article 1(C) on Transitional Period
The Federal Republic of Ambazonia shall be governed during this transitional period by an Interim Government, the life of which shall be three (03) years upon arrival in Buea, the capital of Ambazonia, after attainment of sovereignty.
8) Article 10(2) - Change of Name:
From “Department of Defence and Homeland Security” to “Department of Self-Defence and Homeland Security”.
9) Creation of the Position of State Attorney
This will be a position that will legally oversee the President’s actions. It will be advisory to the President and will be there to defend state institutions. The existence of this position will make the Judiciary Council be independent of the Office of the President.
10) Writing of a Provisional Interim Constitution
Authorize the Constitutional Committee to proceed with devising / writing a Provisional Interim Constitution that will govern upon taking overpower in Buea.
11) Appointment and Vetting of the Judiciary Commission and Ethics Commission
The Ethics and Judiciary Commission shall be appointed by the President of the FRA, vetted by the IHR, but cannot be fired by the President. The Judiciary Commission will henceforth be removed from the office of the President. This applies to new appointees to this office. For any members of these commissions where there is evidence demonstrating high crimes and misdemeanours, and treasonable offences, they will be impeached by the same procedure that applies to an impeachment of the President of the FRA.
12) Resolution on the Women’s Department
The Department of Women’s Services should be inscribed into the amended Interim Constitution.
13) Consultation with LGAs prior to appointment to Cabinet Appointments The President of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia shall make good faith efforts to consult with the administration of the LGAs prior to appointment of individuals from that LGA to Cabinet positions.
14) Suggestions from Statesman Rt Hon. Deacon Wilfred Tassang.
Suggestions from Pa Tassang to be sent to the Constitutional Committee drafting the Provisional Constitution for consideration. Furthermore, any other suggestions in addition to what Pa Tassang sent, should be sent to the committee drafting the Provisional Constitution.
PART IV - RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SECURITY AND SELF- DEFENCE COMMITTEE REVISITING THE ROLE OF Ambazonia National Self-Defence Council (ANSC).
i) The ANSC shall exercise and fulfil all its self-defence functions and any other duties assigned or related to its core obligations as an integral part of the Department of Self-Defence of the Interim Government of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia,
ii) The President of the Interim Government of Ambazonia shall at all times and under all circumstances have an overriding authority over the resolutions, activities & operations of the ANSC as the Commander In Chief,
iii) In the discharge of their duties, the Security Chiefs shall be answerable to their respective County Chairs in the hierarchical Order and Executive privileges, in coordination with the ANSC,
iv) Commanders of the ANSC even when replaced by the CIC shall remain within ANSC as long as they are in good standing and pledge loyalty to the CIC,
v) The ANSC shall fall under the direct supervision of the Department of Self-Defence and Homeland Security (DSS)which is empowered to guarantee the citizen's protection contract, national security & territorial defence,
vi) The ANSC shall be the supreme coordination bureau for all matters of inter-County self- defence operating as a battery and pilot of the National Security Strategic Objectives set out by the President of the Interim Government of Ambazonia,
vii) Requisition for all County security needs shall be jointly fulfilled by the Security Chief, County Coordinators, and the DSS,
viii) All defence contracts and security votes for County self-defence shall be the prerogative of the defence command structure and hierarchy within the framework of DSHS in coordination with ANSC,
ix) The Chairperson of the ANSC shall be appointed by the CIC,
x) All inter-County self-defence programs must be referred to the DSS on whose directives shall the conception, planning, management, and execution be deemed lawful,
xi) The ANSC is prohibited from making contacts outside the defence & executive structure, except in those self-defence matters with prior clearance from the DSS,
xii) The DSS shall be the only medium through which the ANSC may relate and/or communicate to third party entities, adversarial forces, aliens and foreign bodies,
xiii) The ANSC shall be exclusively funded by the Interim Government of Ambazonia for its running cost & administrative operations,
xiv) For all emergency situations where exclusive authorization has been granted by the DSS for ANSC to raise funds, the ANSC may request the services & expertise of individuals & entities which pose no risk/threat to the Interim Government,
xv) The ANSC may self-constitute into organs such as logistics, strategic, crisis management, communication etc to facilitate its operations or to assist in the fulfilment of its function as The Bureau for Inter- County Self-Defence Coordination,
xvi) The priorities for self-defence in the Nation and in all Counties shall be the prerogative of the President of the Interim Government on whose agenda shall the Chair of ANSC charges the various Security Chiefs to mobilize elements within their sphere of command,
xvii) The DSS shall update the ANSC Chair on the status of each County Security Chief concerning their admissibility to the Bureau & eligibility to carry out certain duties,
xviii) The Security Chiefs must within hours of major security incidents/infractions brief their County Coordinator, ANSC Chair, DSS and/or the President (in the presence of the SOS Communication),
xix) All security briefings by the Security Chief must be done through channels & mediums provided for such communication by the DSS,
xx) Where investigations are required involving more than one County or a mission is to be carried out across Counties, the DSS shall oversee the operation purpose of reporting, verification and cost justification.
RESOLUTIONS, as adopted on Sunday, the 13th of March 2022, By the Constituent General Assembly (CGA) of ASSC II Washington DC 2022, Constituted by :
- Local Government Area (LGA) Delegates
- County and Local Government Area Officials
- Members of Government at the Presidency
- Members of Cabinet
- Members of the Defunct Restoration Council.
