AMBAZONIA’S CASE FOR SOVEREIGNTY: UNDISPUTABLE FACTS, ILLEGAL ANNEXATION, AND THE ASA’S JUST CAUSE

Ambazonia fulfills the Montevideo criteria of statehood: a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and sovereign symbols (anthem, flag, constitution).

By Prof. Martin Ayim & Celeste Maddox

Southern Cameroons (Ambazonia) is a sovereign country with internationally recognized boundaries, just like La République du Cameroun (LRC). UN Resolution 1608 (XV) of 21 April 1961 provides the legal basis for its independence. The African Union Constitutive Act, Article 4(b), further guarantees the inviolability of boundaries at independence. As of 2025, no Treaty of Union exists to legitimize any so-called “joining.”

The UN Trusteeship Agreement of 13 December 1946 defined the boundaries of British Cameroons: eastward with French Cameroun (Lake Chad to Gulf of Guinea) and westward with Nigeria (Lake Chad to Gulf of Guinea). The illegal partition of British Cameroons into Northern and Southern zones by the UK was the root violation that created today’s crisis. The UN has the authority to correct this error and resolve the issue permanently.

A sequence of illegal acts further eroded Ambazonian sovereignty:

1961: Forcing an unauthorized federation with LRC.

1972: Dissolving the federation and declaring a “United Republic.”

1984: LRC unilaterally reverted to its pre-1961 name, rendering Southern Cameroons stateless.

At that moment, HRH Fon Gorji Dinka of Widikum proclaimed the Republic of Ambazonia, becoming the Father of the Restoration struggle.

Southern Cameroons attained independence on 1 October 1961, just as LRC did on 1 January 1960. They are two distinct states in international law.

Southern Cameroons was never part of LRC at its independence. Any attempt to breach internationally recognized boundaries constitutes annexation—an international crime.

Southern Cameroons had its own government since 1961, just as LRC had theirs. That government has been restored as the Government of Ambazonia, today led by President Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako. Its legitimacy derives from the will of the people. It is not a group but the sovereign umbrella authority mandated to negotiate with LRC.

The official website is www.statehousebuea.org
The Government of Ambazonia has three arms—Executive, Judiciary, and Legislature— functioning as in every sovereign state.

Ambazonia fulfills the Montevideo criteria of statehood: a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and sovereign symbols (anthem, flag, constitution).

AMBAZONIA VS. LA RÉPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN

Ambazonia has Zones, Counties, and LGAs, while LRC has regions, divisions, and subdivisions.

Ambazonia has Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako as President, while LRC has Paul Biya.

Ambazonia became independent on 1/10/1961, while LRC became independent on 1/1/1960.

Ambazonia has the Ambazonian State Army (ASA), while LRC has the Force de Défense et de Sécurité (FDS). The current conflict is fought between these two legitimate armies.

In 1961, Dr. John Ngu Foncha led the Ambazonian delegation to the unauthorized and failed Foumban Conference, while Ahmadou Ahidjo led that of LRC.

In any mediated settlement, the President of Ambazonia, Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako, will appoint a representative delegation—just as Paul Biya will for LRC.

As Ambazonia advances toward recognition as the 55th/56th African Union member state, its institutions alone will represent it—not foreign-backed impostors.

The truth is clear: Yaoundé can no longer impose leaders on Southern Cameroons. Not then. Not now. Not ever.

Prof. Martin Ayim & Celeste Maddox