Push for political transition: Pro-Kamto coalition consults jailed separatist leaders!.

The involvement of the separatist leaders is said to be from different fronts by opposition coalitions seeking to defeat President Paul Biya in the country’s next presidential election.

In a statement issued on Saturday March 9, erstwhile Social Democratic Front, SDF, supporter and Member of Parliament, MP, Hon Jean Michel Nintcheu, disclosed that contacts have been made with Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and Co. in prison.

Hon Nintcheu, in the note, said he visited Ayuk Tabe and his peers in his capacity as President of the Front for Change Cameroon, FCC, political party and Coordinator of the Alliance for Political Change, APC, coalition platform. 

The Nintcheu-fronted APC is a pro-Kamto coalition pushing to challenge Biya in the next presidential poll.

According to Nintcheu, during his exchanges with the jailed separatist leaders, focus was on the political situation in the North West and South West Regions. 

Sources have hinted that exchanges extended to possible legal and legitimate windows to defeat Biya in the next election.

The MP said he engaged the mission, which he described as being of “high importance” to contribute to bringing a “definitive end to the Anglophone crisis”. 

He underscored that the crisis has claimed at least 6,000 lives and left thousands of others displaced.

Ayuk Tabe reiterates call for clemency, political dialogue 

What stands out in the release from Hon Nintcheu about his meeting of Saturday with the jailed separatist leaders is the call for the release of all arrested in connection with the crisis in the North West and South West Regions. 

He disclosed that Ayuk Tabe, in the company of his peers, reiterated that as a way forward, everyone arrested within the context of the crisis- turned armed conflict must be released unconditionally. 

Ninctcheu also noted that the separatist leader did not mince words in calling for frank, sincere and inclusive political dialogue to end the impasse.

Context of Nincheu’s meeting with separatist leaders

Nintcheu’s disclosure of having had a meeting with the separatist leaders comes amid a fresh mobilisation, especially within the opposition, to jumpstart Cameroon as a polity. 

Most within the opposition have been pushing a narrative of seeking to galvanise forces to defeat Biya in an election and open a new political era for the country.

While the opposition is yet to agree on who should lead such a coalition, Hon Nintcheu

 has, since December 10, 2023, been pushing for the opposition to back Prof. Maurice Kamto as face of the coalition.

Kamto is leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, MRC. Nintcheu has remained unshaken in arguing that Kamto has the wherewithal and political cloud to lead the opposition in a faceoff with Biya in the next presidential poll. 

His view is already facing stiff disapproval from other key stakeholders within the opposition, who are calling for further reflections.

Ayuk Tabe endorses unique opposition, political transition?

While Nintcheu has limited his encounter with Ayuk Tabe to the Anglophone crisis, another document has surfaced, indicating that a potentially anti-Kamto opposition coalition has also reached out to Ayuk Tabe and Co.

According to the document, dated March 7, and bearing the name of Prof Olivier Bile, Ayuk Tabe is among those in support of a political transition in Cameroon. 

Bile is leader of the Union for Fraternity and Progress, UPF, political party.

Under the aegis of the “Alliance Pour une Transition Politique, ATP”, which in English is “Alliance for political Transition”, the document, having just Bile’s name without any signature, makes striking revelations.

The document features Ayuk Tabe among those already contacted, either through WhatsApp, physically or through the telephone. 

In this category, the document indicated that the mentioned persons have endorsed the push for a political transition, but their adhesion to the ATP is what is being awaited.

Other names  cited under this category are; Hermine Tomaino Ndam Njoya, Valere Bessala, Aboubakar Ousaman Mey, Hilaire Zipang, Anicet Ekane, Andre Dibamou, Aboubacar Sidiki, Cyprien Olinga, Pierre Kwemo and  Guibai  Gattama.

Persons cited as actors within the ATP coalition

Others who have been mentioned as supporting the ATP dream of ending the Biya era through the ballot box are; Akere Muna, Djeukam Tchameni, Cabrail Libii, Prosper Nkou Mvondo, Osih Joshua, Baleguel Nkot, Elimbi Lobe, Celestin Djamen, Georges Minyem, Henriette Ekwe, Jean Marck Bikoko, Denis Emilien Atangana, Prof Shanda Tomne, Benoit Essiga, Samuel Billong, Jean Pierre Djemba, Sam Mbaka and Phillippe Nanga. 

These, the unsigned document says, have adhered to the ATP alongside several university dons and renowned citizens.

Kamto, Nintcheu reportedly silent on joining ATP

Another grouping in the catalogue of what the ATP says is its push for a common and acceptable ground for political transition in Cameroon, is where it places Hon Nintcheu and Kamto. 

The same document, dated March 7, puts the duo under the category of persons who have been contacted about the move but have remained silent. 

The reading aligns to the visible cracks within the opposition, few months since the push for a coalition started.

About Ayuk Tabe & Co 

In October 2017, Ayuk Tabe declared himself President of the putative State of Ambazonia, seeking to breakaway the North West and South West Regions from the rest of the country. 

He then created a virtual government, seeking to achieve their dream. 

He and 46 others were arrested in a hotel in Nigeria and flown to Yaounde by special flight. This was in January 2018.

On Tuesday August 20, 2019, the Yoaunde Military Court handed Ayuk Tabe and 10 others life sentences and a fine of 250 billion FCFA.