A referendum is not a proper legal process to resolve the colonization or violation of the territorial integrity of a state by another. It has been established beyond a reasonable doubt by lawyers and scholars that what happened to the state of Southern Cameroons when it had independence in 1961 was its annexation (territory and a million inhabitants) by the Republic of Cameroun, on "false pretenses" - a form of theft in criminal law. An analogy is the hijacking or kidnapping of a person or group of people. Who believes it is legally proper for the victims of such a crime to be asked to choose (by a vote, referendum, etc) between being set free and remaining in captivity? Does anyone believe that it would have been proper for the people of Kuwait, occupied by Iraq in 1961, to be asked such a question? Did the international community not take the right decision when it authorized the use of force to expel the aggressor from the occupied state? Why should anyone believe that the remedy should be different for the state of Southern Cameroons? If anyone believes this was a proper legal option, why did the African Union, in Southern Cameroons v Republic of Cameroun (communication 266/2003), not order or recommend a referendum? Why did it instead rule that the two parties hold talks to agree on new constitutional arrangements or, in default, resort to mediation under the good offices of the continental organization?
Even if a referendum were a viable recourse, should it not be conducted by the international community, in charge of the enforcement of international law, which governs relations between the parties - instead of an online vote carried out by an individual or group? For a people, such as those of Southern Cameroons, recognized as such by the international community, the organization of a self-determination referendum is a distraction - it is an irrelevant process that could be manipulated by the aggressor, its accomplices and accessories after the fact. It is a process which if used, could result in the ratification of a felony, resulting from a blatant and brazen violation of international law. It could properly be construed as an obstruction of justice - a felony in itself. Those conducting this irrelevant process should instead be calling on the Republic of Cameroun to comply with international law to which it is subject, as well as the May/July 2009 ruling of the African Union Court, which it has so far treated with contempt.
G. Achu
Sent from my iPad
CONGRATULATIONS -- Southern Cameroons Referendu
Fellow Southern Cameroonians,
Congratulations. In just three days, we've drawn more than 100 signatures for the online petition/referendum. This is unbeatable record in the history of online petitions. We are showing the world how bent we are in securing our statehood, how peaceful we are and how patient we've been throughout the ages. At the end, we would've procured the last evidence that all peaceful means were exhausted. The youths we are constituting are serious about this and will immediately go for the SCYL option of "the argument of force"!
We need many more people to sign the petition in order to procure the 100.000 signatures required to provoke the world governing bodies to sit up and act. If you haven't yet signed, please click the following link to participate: http://chn.ge/1fuchCB. It takes less than two minutes. If you've already signed, get ten of your best friends to sign. This is urgent task!
How to sign the petition:
1. Click here to open the page: http://chn.ge/1fuchCB;
2. Situate the form on the right of the page with a red header - Sign this petition. You need just your name, email address, your current city and a short message to complete the process. This takes less than 2 minutes.
And then forward to as many groups as possible.
Thank you.
Akoson A. Raymond------------------------------------------------------------------------"…Time has come, I believe, for our leaders to start training the youths to take over the baton. Effective, efficient and rigorous training does not constitute issuing subservient roles; rather, it involves sitting side by side on the round table for law, policy and decision making and thorough brainstorming on the normative values that undergird progressive issues. Ayah Paul of PAP takes great pleasure in working with the youths. I am proud to work with him..." Akoson A. Raymond.----------------------------------------------------------------------__._,_.___
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