Letter to the editor
Sir,
You Article on the fall of Ayaba and Efang raises a very important aspect in this struggle. The protection of the civilian population and this is exactly what has never been addressed in this fight.
The civilian population has become the target and the victim and nothing at all has been done about this. Do you really think there’s still any fight on the ground for the intended objective?
I have questioned time and again who the target audience of these independentist write-ups are. This repeated question is because there’s been no change at all on the behavior of these fighters on the ground and nobody seems to be doing anything about that. Abductions, demand for ransom, torture of civilians, impunity of the fighters etc are the order of the day and the credibility of the fight is almost totally compromised .
Within reasonable boundaries of all understanding do you believe there’s anything forward movement within and without towards the realization of the set objective? Is anybody anywhere being convinced? Is there any hope at all?
I’m lost just like many other people on the ground. Is the Ambazonian govt in exile still having any authority and influence on the ground? Just too many questions in my mind. And the people on the ground plunging deeper and deeper into misery and frustration
Yours Anonymous for security reasons.
Response
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for your thoughtful and courageous letter. Your decision to write, despite the risks involved, reflects the concerns of many people across the homeland and throughout the diaspora. The questions you raise are difficult, uncomfortable, and unavoidable. They deserve honest answers rather than slogans.
First, let us acknowledge a fundamental truth: the protection of civilians must remain the highest priority of any liberation struggle. No political objective, however noble, can justify the mistreatment of innocent people. Reports of abductions, ransom demands, torture, intimidation, and attacks against civilians have caused immense suffering and have damaged public confidence in the struggle. Many families who initially supported the cause now find themselves trapped between the violence of state forces and the misconduct of armed actors who claim to act in the name of liberation.
Your frustration is therefore understandable and legitimate.
At the same time, it is important to distinguish between the aspirations of a people and the actions of individuals. The right of the people of Southern Cameroons to determine their political future does not disappear because some actors have violated the principles of the struggle. History shows that many liberation movements have faced internal indiscipline, criminal infiltration, factionalism, and leadership crises. Such failures do not automatically invalidate the underlying grievances that gave rise to the conflict.
You ask whether there is still a fight on the ground for the intended objective. The answer depends on how one defines the struggle. If the struggle is measured solely by military operations, then many observers would conclude that the movement faces enormous challenges. If, however, the struggle is understood as the continued political, diplomatic, legal, and historical assertion of a people’s identity and rights, then it clearly continues. The question is not whether the struggle exists but whether its methods are effectively advancing its objectives.
You also ask who the audience of Independentist News is. Our audience includes supporters, critics, skeptics, policymakers, diplomats, scholars, and ordinary citizens. The purpose of publishing analysis and commentary is not merely to reinforce existing opinions but to encourage reflection, debate, accountability, and informed decision-making. A movement that cannot tolerate questions or criticism is unlikely to succeed.
Perhaps the most important question you raise is whether there is hope.
Hope cannot be built on denial. It cannot be built on pretending that mistakes have not been made. Nor can it be built on ignoring the immense suffering that ordinary people continue to endure. Hope must instead be built on honest assessment, accountability, strategic thinking, and a renewed commitment to protecting civilians above all else.
As for the Government in Exile, opinions differ regarding its current influence and authority. What is beyond dispute is that any leadership claiming to represent the people must continuously earn that legitimacy through service, transparency, diplomacy, and effective advocacy. Legitimacy is not a permanent possession; it is a responsibility that must be renewed every day.
The fall of prominent figures and organizations has understandably caused many people to question the future. Yet movements are rarely defined by individual personalities. They are ultimately judged by whether they can adapt, correct their mistakes, maintain public trust, and pursue their objectives through lawful and credible means.
Your letter reminds us that the greatest challenge facing the struggle today may not be military. It may be restoring the confidence of the very people in whose name the struggle is being conducted.
For that reason, your questions should not be dismissed. They should be heard.
Sincerely,
The Editor
Independentist News
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