THE POSSIBLE REFERENDUM QUESTIONS

Dear All,

I was listening to the Cameroon Journal message this morning and heard them propose that the referendum questions should be either independence or federation. I am writing to vigorously reject the proposal. There is absolutely no reason why we should deprive our people at any time in their future of absolute independence, if it does not happen now. Therefore for me, the proposed referendum questions (if it came to that) should be whether we want to achieve independence NOW or LATER. If the majority opt to achieve independence later (God forbid), then we continue in the illegal situation until such time that we are prepared to become independent. But there is absolutely no basis for a federation because we thereby reject all the protections that we have under international law. The facts of our case are so clear and strong that at no time should our people be deprived of the choice of independence. Putting a federation on the table means that we are rejecting all the arguments we are making today for freedom, because if you choose federation, you thereby bind yourselves forever. You will never again raise an argument to be free, because no one will listen to you! The strength of our argument today is that we never gave our consent and that we have only been illegally occupied. What happens to this argument when you choose a federation, which inevitably, must fail? Not one such federation has succeeded in Africa, despite the numerous attempts. Let us not deceive ourselves that the federation that failed in the past will succeed today: the mentalities have not changed, as all you can see that we are still being treated like captives and people defeated at war.

We must not accept the idea of forcing another ill-fated federation on our people! Thankfully, the other side is not even granting those who are talking of federation that option. I have explained over and over that there is absolutely no one-Cameroon formula, federation or otherwise, that will solve the Southern Cameroons problem. Why? Because we are dealing simply with a game of numbers! You will be overwhelmed, inevitably, by their population! You will have no school, town or place you can call your own. Sasse, Saker, University of Buea and all the rest are already Francophone schools, through the one-cameroon formula. You will simply be inviting cultural genocide.  Reflect and you will see this clearly also. No mistakes at this point!!!!

Therefore the question must simply be whether we want to achieve independence NOW or Later, if the matter came to a referendum.

Thank you.

Atemnkeng.