Western intelligence reports now describe Cameroon as “a democracy in crisis” and Biya’s rule as “brittle and discredited.” When the world begins to hesitate, space opens up for new narratives.
By Dr. Marcelius Atanga The lndependentist contributor
A Nation at the Crossroads
Cameroon stands once again at a historic crossroads. The 2025 presidential election has exposed the exhaustion and fragility of Paul Biya’s forty-three-year rule. At ninety-two, Biya claimed an eighth term in office surrounded by accusations of fraud, voter suppression, and constitutional manipulation.
But this time, the script did not unfold as usual. Isa Tchiroma Bakary — once a loyal minister under Biya — rejected the results, declared himself the true winner, and issued a forty-eight-hour ultimatum demanding the release of political prisoners arrested after the polls. What seemed like another quarrel in Yaoundé has now revealed deeper fractures inside the regime’s foundations.
The Crack in the Fortress
For Ambazonians, this is not just news; it is a signal. The structure of La République du Cameroun is beginning to shift from within. Tchiroma’s defiance matters because, unlike other francophone politicians, he has openly recognized the so called Anglophone crisis as a political issue that demands justice, not a “security problem” to be suppressed.
He has called for amnesty and dialogue — language that rarely crosses the Mungo. His words cannot erase the past, but they break a taboo that has long silenced truth. For Ambazonians, it may be the first genuine opportunity in decades to use a crack in the system as a lever for change.
The World Watches in Silence
Outside Cameroon, silence is speaking louder than words. Nigeria refused to extradite Tchiroma, citing fears of political persecution. The United States, France, Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom have all withheld their usual congratulations to Biya — an extraordinary diplomatic pause that signals doubt and discomfort.
Western intelligence reports now describe Cameroon as “a democracy in crisis” and Biya’s rule as “brittle and discredited.” When the world begins to hesitate, space opens up for new narratives. That hesitation is not weakness; it is a chance for Ambazonia to reposition itself as the responsible voice of truth and stability in a failing state.
From Reaction to Strategy
The Ambazonian movement has always been driven by courage and sacrifice, but it has also been reactive — more emotional than strategic. Each provocation from Yaoundé has triggered outbursts of anger, competing statements, and public quarrels. Yet history rewards those who plan, not those who react. If Biya is playing chess, Ambazonia must stop playing checkers. The time has come to act with precision and foresight, turning passion into strategy.
Engage Tactically, Not Emotionally
Ambazonia does not need to trust or join Tchiroma’s movement. But it can work tactically with anyone who weakens Biya’s monopoly on legitimacy. By engaging around shared objectives — such as prisoner releases and calls for international mediation — Ambazonians can convert temporary alliances into long-term leverage.
Speak With One Voice
The struggle suffers when too many voices shout in different directions. The international community listens to movements that sound coherent. A single coordinated communication front — clear, factual, and disciplined — would project Ambazonia as a government-in-waiting, not a movement in confusion.
Replace Outrage With Evidence
Outrage may move hearts, but evidence moves institutions. The future of Ambazonian advocacy must rest on documentation — verified testimonies, satellite images, and field reports linking crimes to specific commanders. Emotional appeals fade; factual records endure. A digital evidence archive could turn moral protest into legal power, giving the international community no excuse for inaction.
End the Internal Rivalry
The struggle cannot advance while its defenders fight one another. Every faction, council, or group can keep its identity, but all must rally around shared principles: Ambazonian sovereignty, civilian protection, recognition, the release of prisoners, and justice for war crimes. Unity is not about personalities; it is about purpose.
Turn Resistance Into Leverage
Resistance alone cannot secure recognition. It must be matched with diplomacy and timing. The cracks within La République — Biya’s failing health, northern dissent, and French discomfort — create a rare moment for Ambazonia to act as a stabilizing alternative. Rather than being seen as rebels, Ambazonians must now project the image of a democratic people ready to govern, to rebuild, and to contribute to regional peace.
Tell a New Story
For too long, Ambazonia has been portrayed as a victim. The world grows numb to suffering but responds to solutions. It is time to tell a different story — one that shows Ambazonia’s promise: a nation of education, resilience, and law. Publishing blueprints for reconstruction, governance, and reconciliation will shift perception from rebellion to responsibility. Let the world see a people prepared, not desperate.
Build Institutions That Last
Social media campaigns come and go; institutions endure. Ambazonia must now evolve from activism to statecraft — creating structures such as a diplomatic academy to train envoys, a financial accountability office to ensure transparency, and a policy institute to craft credible national strategies. These are not luxuries; they are the foundations of legitimacy. They tell the world that Ambazonia is not just fighting for independence — it is preparing to govern with integrity.
The Time to Play Smart
This moment is not about blind optimism; it is about disciplined intelligence. Tchiroma’s defiance has opened a fault line in a decaying system. How Ambazonia responds will determine whether that crack widens into a doorway to freedom or seals shut again under the weight of disunity. The world’s silence is an invitation. The board is set, the pieces are moving. For Ambazonia, the next phase will not be won through emotion, but through foresight, unity, and precision.
A Powerful Conclusion: The Dawn of Strategic Liberation
Every liberation struggle reaches a moment when courage alone is not enough — when victory demands calculation, not just conviction. That moment has arrived for Ambazonia. We are no longer fighting merely to survive; we are fighting to define the next century of our destiny. The old empire of deceit is cracking, its lies too brittle to hold. But cracks do not become doorways unless we step through them — boldly, intelligently, and together.
Let the world see that Ambazonia is not a cry of pain but a plan of purpose. Let our diplomacy match our bravery, our unity match our faith, and our strategy match our dream. The struggle that began with broken promises must end with the birth of a new nation — free, responsible, and just. History has placed the next move in our hands.
It is time to play not for sympathy, not for applause, but for victory. It is time to play smart — and play for history.
Dr. Marcelius Atanga
Former UBSU President | Pan-Africanist | Advocate for the Independence of Ambazonia
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