From Sacred Heart to Yaoundé: The Rise and Fall of Felix Mbayu

Felix Mbayu the name that sounds loud, for negative reasons.

By The Editorial Desk – The Independentist

In the evolving narrative of Cameroon’s prolonged crisis, the name Felix Mbayu stands out—not for heroic resistance or principled diplomacy, but for a complex and controversial role that has placed him at odds with the very community that once nurtured him.

As Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in charge of Cooperation with the Commonwealth, Mbayu occupies a key diplomatic position in President Paul Biya’s government. But his past and present reveal a striking contrast—one that raises uncomfortable questions about loyalty, identity, and historical memory.

An Anglophone Upbringing in a Francophone Framework
Felix Mbayu was born to Francophone parents who sought refuge in Kumba, in the heart of what was then Southern Cameroons. There, he benefited from the hospitality, openness, and educational excellence of the Anglophone system. He rose through the ranks of Sacred Heart College, Mankon, one of the region’s most respected institutions, known for producing leaders grounded in Anglo-Saxon values of merit, service, and community.

After years in diplomacy—including a stint at Cameroon’s Mission to the United Nations in New York—Mbayu returned to serve in Biya’s cabinet, where he has been entrusted with managing Cameroon’s relationship with the Commonwealth and, at times, representing the regime’s positions in international forums.

Failed Efforts at Diplomatic Influence
According to well-placed sources, a recent diplomatic miscalculation highlighted the limits of Mbayu’s influence. During a high-level visit to Yaoundé, Dr. Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, was reportedly offered an envelope containing 100 million CFA francs—an apparent gesture from the Cameroonian side to “ease engagement” ahead of elections. The offer, allegedly presented through official channels, was firmly rejected by Dr. Mohammed, who is said to have torn the envelope and reaffirmed the neutrality and independence of the United Nations.

This incident, now quietly discussed in diplomatic circles, has added to the growing scrutiny around how certain figures in Cameroon’s government attempt to leverage international relationships—sometimes unsuccessfully.

Attempts to Influence Alumni Networks
Beyond his official duties, Mbayu has also drawn criticism for allegedly attempting to use Sacred Heart College alumni networks to identify and influence diaspora Ambazonians involved in the independence movement. In this effort, he reportedly worked with other alumni, including Divine Sanjoh, to reach out to prominent revolutionaries abroad.

Their mission, according to sources familiar with diaspora resistance groups, was to monitor, engage, and possibly sway key Ambazonian actors. However, these efforts were reportedly unsuccessful, with the networks remaining largely loyal to the principles of justice, dialogue, and self-determination.

Public Image and the Commonwealth Question
As Cameroon’s Commonwealth representative, Mbayu is tasked with promoting the organization’s values—democracy, rule of law, and human rights. However, observers note a tension between this role and the government’s record in the Anglophone regions, where allegations of human rights violations, military abuses, and suppression of dissent persist.

Critics argue that Mbayu’s defense of the regime has placed him in a contradictory position—an Anglophone by nurture, defending a system accused of marginalizing Anglophones. Supporters, however, suggest that his continued presence within government may allow for more moderate voices to be heard at the table, even if reforms remain elusive.

Conclusion: A Reflection from President Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako
“History does not remember the uniforms men wear or the titles they carry. It remembers the truth of who they served when it mattered most. Felix Mbayu and his ilk are not enemies of Ambazonia because they were born elsewhere or because they work in Yaoundé. They are enemies because they chose betrayal over brotherhood, complicity over conscience. Yet no betrayal—however sophisticated—can stop a people who have found their voice and their cause. The Republic of Ambazonia was born of truth, baptized in suffering, and will rise on the strength of our united resolve.”

– Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako, President, Federal Republic of Ambazonia.

Editorial Desk