THE MAIL
Tuesday, October 16, 2001
Bassa-Douala, Cameroon

"US-Based NDI Top Shot Condemns SCNC Deaths, Calls For Investigations"
by Ndikum P. Tanifom

The Regional Director for Africa of the Washington-based National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh has called for thorough investigations into the recent killing of three persons in Kumbo in the Northwest during activities by Southern Cameroon's National Council (SCNC) militants to commemorate Anglophone Cameroon's 40th independence anniversary. Scores of others were wounded while several people were arrested in Kumbo and Bamenda.

Dr. Fomunyoh condemned the killings and expressed the wish that a "thorough investigation can be conducted into the events of October 1 in the Northwest and Southwest provinces especially in Kumbo where the deaths occurred so that those who fired live bullets on ordinary citizens marching in statement of their political frustrations are brought to book.although I would not hold my breath because the government's.record on thorough investigations is rather slim."

In an exclusive interview NDI's Dr. Fomunyoh granted The Mail, he expressed his heartfelt condolences saying: ".I am horrified every time a life is lost on an issue that merits serious thoughtful political debate and resolution.I would feel the same whether those killed were civilians or members of the security forces."

Dr. Fomunyoh who is presently in Ethiopia serving as one of the technical advisors to the inter-Congolese dialogue which began Monday, October 15, told The Mail he was even more horrified when he read some "very callous comments made by government officials from who one expects a better sense of what is required to sustain the national fabric of Cameroon."

Speaking on the substance of the Anglophone question, the NDI official said the merits and demerits of secession as a solution is debatable but noted: ".In my opinion, one cannot deny that there is an Anglophone problem in Cameroon. It is there and it is real."

"Ironically, those who govern Cameroon today seem to think that turning a blind eye or using tough-fisted tactics would resolve the grievances of Anglophones. They should think again and especially note that tensions have been exacerbated with each passing year." Dr. Fomunyoh said government cannot allow the use of armed force to become the weapon of choice in settling genuine political grievances that citizens may have, be they Anglophones or Francophone. He said he was "simply appalled by those who in public claim that all is milk and honey with Anglophones in Cameroon when they know and can recount numerous personal trials and tribulations as they too have suffered the fate of slight and spite because of their respective provinces of origin. It is that hypocrisy that burns my heart."

Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh also talked on issues related to the ongoing American reprisals against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, and the economic impact of last September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on the world generally, and Africa in particular.

The Anglophone Problem Is There And It Is Real

The Mail: As America continues to mobilize world support to capture Osama Bin Laden and dismantle his terrorist network, more and more people are asking "would that be enough to stamp out terrorism on the global level?"

Christopher Fomunyoh: The disappearance of Osama Bin Laden from the face of the earth may not suffice, but current actions by the United States and other coalition members are only the first step of what needs to be a sustained effort worldwide to stamp out terrorism. It's definitely a long struggle, and one that needs to be waged in phases with numerous instruments or "carrots and stick" in the short, medium and long terms.

TM: Do you think the Taliban has the economic and military wherewithal to engage in hostilities against any of its neighbors who side with America in ongoing reprisals against the Afghan regime?

CF: The Taliban does not have the military or economic might to engage America and the coalition that have come together to fight terrorism, including neighboring states that are within their geographic proximity. Unfortunately we are dealing with nonconventional warfare and as we have seen thus far, the Taliban and followers of Bin Laden use tactics of terrorism that do not require enormous economic or military might. I would not be surprised if what is left of the Taliban and Bin Laden network tries to undermine some of the governments in Asia and the Middle East that back the coalition.

TM: What would you say is the impact of last September 11 terrorist attacks on the WTC on the African economy in particular that of the world in general? Would it affect the Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA)?

CF: The economic impact will be huge. One can already see effects as the US economy slows down and as European airlines experience hard times. The service industry which includes trade, travel, hotels, and therefore foreign exchange has been the hardest hit so far, and one can only imagine that the hold back on the purchasing power of the consumer countries would negatively affect African countries that are seeking to export to those markets. Also, on top of the loss of human life, the general state of uncertainty caused by the September 11 events does not augur well for international business transactions.

TM: Since those attacks, do those of you who work for institutions such as NDI, the IMF, World Bank, and more generally the UN feel threatened?

CF: Not necessarily. One of the many horrible things about terrorism is that it knows no bounds. Its horrendous act causes indiscriminate victims - innocent civilians, children, women, even jobless individuals. That is why I believe that beyond the international coalition that's a conglomeration of nation-states, we all as individual citizens have to do our part to be vigilant and make sure that we and our families and neighbors are not unnecessarily exposed as we go about our daily business because we also cannot allow our professional or personal activities to be determined by the criminal acts of terrorist.

TM: You must have followed closely the recent events in the Anglophone part of Cameroon especially in the Northwest province where three persons were shot dead and several others arrested or injured for clamoring for a separate state. Given that you are an Anglophone Cameroonian, what is your general feeling on this issue, especially as government continues to opt for the tough-fisted approach?

CF: First let me express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved. I must tell you I am horrified every time a life is lost on an issue that merits serious and thoughtful political debate and resolution. And I would feel the same whether those killed were civilians or members of the security forces. In this recent case, I was even more horrified when I read some of the very callous comments made by government officials from whom one expects a better sense of what is required to sustain the national fabric of Cameroon. I sincerely hope that a thorough investigation can be conducted into the events of October 1 in the Northwest and Southwest provinces, and especially Kumbo where the deaths occurred, so that those who fired live bullets on ordinary citizens marching in statement of their political frustrations are brought to book.although I would not hold my breath because the government's track record on thorough investigations is rather slim.

On the substance of the issue, one can debate the merits and demerits of secession as the solution; however, in my opinion, one cannot deny that there is an Anglophone problem in Cameroon. It is there and it is real! Even analyses by the Francophone media, including Le Messenger, Nouvelle Expression, even Paris-based Radio France International - all of whom I salute for their objectivity this time around show that the Anglophone problem does exist. Ironically those that govern Cameroon today seem to think that turning a blind eye or using tough-fisted tactics would resolve the grievances of Anglophones. They should think again and especially note that tensions have been exacerbated with each passing year.

TM: Do you foresee a solution to this problem? If so, how soon? If not, what way forward?

CF: Of course I do see a solution; but "it takes two to tango" as the saying goes, and I am always reminded that aggrieved persons are more apt to tear down a wall picture in which they do not see their faces. My one wish is that the government give serious thought to this issue and that the major grievances of Anglophones be addressed and a long lasting solution be found so that innocent people do not lose lives unnecessarily. The government cannot allow the use of armed force to become the weapon of choice in settling genuine political grievances that citizens may have, be they Anglophones or Francophone.

TM: What advice do you have for the leaders of the various Anglophone movements clamoring for cessation such as the SCNC, the Southern Cameroon Restoration Movement (SCARM), AMBAZONIA.

CF: On the one hand, I am struck by the multiplicity of organizations that by their own declarations seek a common purpose, especially as such a situation provides no clear incentives or sense of direction for the younger generation of Anglophones; but some may view that too as the essence of political pluralism.

TM: You definitely have a worded or two for those fons, Anglophone government officials and some elite who in very strong terms, have and continue to criticize Anglophone attempts at self determination.

CF: I couldn't be too presumptuous about the custodians of our cultures because they may feel the shoe pinch differently, and as I said earlier, I have no quarrel with a genuine debate about the most adaptable solution to the Anglophone problem. I have my personal views on the question as well. I am simply appalled by those who in public claim that all is "milk and honey" with the Anglophones in the Cameroon when they know and can recount numerous personal trials and tribulations as they too have suffered the fate of slight and spite because of their respective provinces of origin. It is that hypocrisy that burns my heart.

TM: And to the government of Cameroon, any advice?

CF: I would not want to take more coal to Newcastle as the government already has a plethora of advisers at all levels. I only hope that the Anglophone matter be taken seriously because in this day and age, we cannot afford another Cameroonian being gunned down for his or her political beliefs. It is the lack of dialogue and the unwillingness to listen to citizens and engage them in genuine debate about their grievances that breed extremism and eventually violence. Today's events are more added proof that the world wouldn't tolerate extremism from individuals and gangs; sooner or later it would not tolerate that same attitude from authoritarian governments either.