Despite the difference in centuries and fights the parallels between Kuva and Sako are striking.
By Fontem Asonganyi – Independentist Correspondence, Kumba
Who says the people of Mount Fako lack revolutionary greatness? That myth crumbles when we revisit the story of Kuva Likenye, the fearless warrior-chief of Buea, and draw lessons from Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako, a modern leader navigating the complexities of a liberation movement in exile.
Though they lived in different centuries and fought different battles, the parallels between Kuva and Sako are striking. One resisted German colonialism with courage and defiance; the other has stood firm against the forces of neocolonialism, disunity, and political erasure. While history may not repeat itself, in these two men it certainly rhymes.
I. Kuva Likenye: The Warrior of Mount Fako
In the late 1800s, as German colonial forces pushed into the Buea region, Kuva Likenye emerged as a decisive voice of resistance. He was more than a chief—he was a warrior, a diplomat, and a leader who inspired his people to defend their land and traditions.
Rejecting German attempts to seize control through coercion and deception, Kuva mobilized neighboring chiefs, forged alliances, and waged a formidable defense. His resistance ended in his exile to Douala in 1894, but his name lived on—not as a defeated man, but as a symbol of defiance and indigenous pride.
II. Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako: The Strategist in Exile
More than a century later, in 2018, Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako rose to leadership under equally turbulent conditions. The abduction of the previous Ambazonian leaders in Nigeria had left a power vacuum and the movement at risk of collapse.
Dr. Sako, a theologian by training and a reconciler by instinct, assumed leadership with clarity and calm. In exile, he led efforts to structure the Interim Government, promote digital governance, build diplomatic bridges, and rally support across the diaspora.
His leadership has not been without internal contest or external challenges. Yet, despite dissent and setbacks, Sako has remained a central figure in advancing the Ambazonian cause, grounded in the belief that the struggle is not merely political—but moral and historical.
III. The Parallels that Resonate
The similarities between Kuva and Sako are more than symbolic—they reflect a deeper continuity in Southern Cameroons’ history of resistance.
Leadership in the Face of Crisis
Kuva resisted German occupation despite overwhelming force.
Sako took the reins amidst chaos, abductions, and internal division.
Moral and Spiritual Foundations
Kuva’s authority was rooted in ancestral tradition.
Sako draws on faith, moral clarity, and a deep sense of divine purpose in the struggle for Ambazonian self-determination.
Commitment to Homeland
Kuva saw the land as sacred and non-negotiable.
Sako has rejected half-measures like decentralization or “special status,” insisting that only complete self-rule can guarantee justice.
Exile as a Continuation of Struggle
Kuva’s exile strengthened his legacy.
Sako’s presidency in exile has become a platform for innovation and international advocacy.
Legacy Beyond the Moment
Kuva’s name lives on in oral history and monuments.
Sako’s influence is visible in the structures, conversations, and strategic direction of the Ambazonian movement.
IV. A Broader Reflection on Leadership
While Kuva and Sako stand out, they are not alone. Southern Cameroons’ struggle has seen many brave souls—male and female, young and old—step forward in service of freedom. Leadership has emerged not only from Fako, but from across all counties of Ambazonia.
Yet, these two figures remind us that true leadership is rarely comfortable. It is forged in resistance, tested by betrayal, and refined in the furnace of conviction. Neither man sought power for its own sake; both answered a call bigger than themselves.
Conclusion: From Kuva to Sako, the Spirit of Fako Still Stands
Let those who doubt the strength of Mount Fako look again. Let those who question Ambazonia’s resolve revisit these stories.
Kuva Likenye faced down colonial guns. Dr. Sako is confronting diplomatic silence, division, and misinformation. Both chose the hard road of service.
Their message—across time and terrain—is the same:
“We will not be moved.”
From the hills of Buea to the halls of exile, the spirit of Fako endures. It is the spirit of a people who believe in freedom, dignity, and the long arc of justice.
Fontem Asonganyi –
