WAS THERE EVER A LEGAL UNION TREATY BETWEEN LA RÉPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN AND SOUTHERN CAMEROONS?
Professor Victor Julius Ngoh HAD THIS TO SAY, and I QUOTE. Prof is A RENOWNED HISTORIAN.
(The KNDP government, led by Foncha, who also led the SC delegation to the Foumban Conference, NEVER tabled/ presented the SC proposals from the June 1961 Bamenda All-Party Constitutional Conference. Your explanation of the lack of a Union Treaty is faulty. The UNION TREATY as per the UN involved only member- states of the UN. The SOUTHERN CAMEROONS was not a member of the UN. The three parties (THE UNITED KINGDOM, the SOUTHERN CAMEROONS and LA RÉPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN) agreed, as per the instructions of UN Resolution 1608, which called on these parties to ” initiate” measures that would lead to the termination of UN trusteeship on Southern Cameroons on 30th September 1961, ON THE PRINCIPLE OF EXCHANGE OF NOTES. This was effected in September 1961. The Union Treaty between La République du Cameroun and Southern Cameroons was not signed by La République du Cameroun and Southern Cameroons. THE UNION TREATY was signed by the UNITED KINGDOM and LA RÉPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN, on behalf of SOUTHERN CAMEROONS.
Let’s look at the facts. Historian Prof. Victor Julius Ngoh points out that PM John Ngu Foncha’s KNDP delegation made a massive mistake: they NEVER presented the Bamenda All-Party Conference proposals when they got to the Foumban Conference.
Many argue that a Union Treaty wasn’t necessary because Southern Cameroons wasn’t a UN member state. But UN Resolution 1608 explicitly instructed three parties—the UK, Southern Cameroons, and La République du Cameroun—to take steps to end the trusteeship by September 30, 1961.
Some claims suggest this was done via an “Exchange of Notes” where the UK signed on behalf of Southern Cameroons. But here is the problem: Where is the document? Researchers cannot find any signed, ratified Union Treaty in the archives. Not in the archives in Buea or the United Nations.
Can an exchange of diplomatic notes legally unite two nations into one federal state without a formal treaty? If the answer is no, then Mola Njoh Litumbe was absolutely right: “Njomba no bi married.” It was a gentleman’s agreement where President Ahidjo simply imposed his own constitution.
Prof. Victor Julius Ngoh, the peace-loving Cameroonians deserve clarity. What actually happened between Ahidjo and Foncha in Tiko? When exactly did the British sign this alleged treaty on behalf of Southern Cameroons?
Let’s learn from one of Cameroon’s historical figures involved in the John Ngu Foncha and Ahmadou Ahidjo gentleman’s agreement that is killing Cameroonians. Let’s propose solutions respectfully. I am interested in learning. What’s the solution to ending the Anglophone crisis? I am advocating for peace through dialogue. It’s important to pass this knowledge to the next generation to avoid situations like the ongoing armed conflict. A USELESS WAR that has deeply affected the peace-loving and justice-seeking people of the Southern Cameroons – Ambazonia.
BYE
WAS THERE EVER A LEGAL UNION TREATY BETWEEN LA RÉPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN AND SOUTHERN CAMEROONS?
