Turbulence, twist and turns are ever pervasive in every endeavour. The 24th of February 2017, left the people of Southern Cameroon in a dilemma amidst the ongoing Anglophone crisis. A majority wondered where the struggle is heading to following the sudden calmness of two most influential socio-political activists Mark Bareta and Tapang Ivo. The dismay was brought about by some misunderstanding within the Anglophone Civil Society Consortium. Onlookers wondered if this was an end to the struggle? Southern Cameroonians, on the other hand, could not bear losing the duo in a “winning struggle”, they resorted to clamouring for their return.
The general outcry by Southern Cameroonians and the love for a common good was taken into consideration following powerful comeback messages by the activists. Tapang Ivo writes:
“Fellow Southern Cameroonians,
I have heard, read, received and accepted your calls for a full come-back. In truth, the sky is too wide for two birds to fly with their wings flapping on each other.
In moments like this, birds of a feather can only flock together. We all have a feather — Southern Cameroons. So let us flock together, and not fight together — with a war of all against all.
Stay tuned for an official Video News Release and a statement from the Consortium. When we flock together, ghost profiles will not have the opportunity to write negative comments against a WINNING STRUGGLE. Neither will evil plans find their way to hatch among genuine debates and progressive strategic gatherings.
Don’t give the enemy a breathing space. If you are not with us, you are against us.”
Mark Bareta added:
“Fellow Southern Cameroonians,
There comes a time in the life of every struggle that what we give in is smaller than what we take out. We have arrived that stage where we need not compare the two but encouraged to give in more.
First and foremost I want to apologise for the inconveniences I have caused the people of Southern Cameroons for the huge silence since the video released from Comrade Tassang, Programm Coordinator of the Consortium.
What has happened within the last 30 hours is a test of our democratic resolved. It only goes to show the Anglo-Saxon nature of the people of Southern Cameroons. The freedom to speak, disagree to agree and to criticize to build are some of the tenets of the society we so much yearn from La Republique du Cameroun. That is the reason we are in this struggle, to gain back these tenets of Freedom.
However, like in any struggle and organization, there are basic rules, procedures to be followed if there are changes to be made.
There are basic ethical processes which must be made so that one segment do not feel bad to weaken the organization. Without going into the gymnastic of the Consortium, we should be aware that as humans these things are bound to happen but the struggle must move on…”
BaretaNews adds its voice by quoting the duo, “threats will always come, friends may fail, relationships may fall apart but the struggle must continue because it is bigger than everyone else.” In this regard, every effort counts, every contribution is meaningful to the struggle, in unity and solidarity, the Southern Cameroons aspiration will be a reality.
Stay tuned,
BaretaNews Team.
19 comments
Dear Mark, what most of us doesn’t understand is why Tassang relieves you and Ivo. And now you both say you are back. If there is a problem speak it out. Nothing is worse than hiding or lies. For sure our struggle continues but the whole leadership lost a lot of trust and credibility. And I mean all of you people including Tassang. Is your decision making democratic? Are there a team of people behind deciding things together? Or is it just backroom politics of two individuals. If so then we are not better than LRC. One thing all of you shall keep in mind. It’s not about you it is for Southern Cameroon. We don’t serve ourself we do it for our country. Let peace come into your house. Discuss openly and be open to different opinions.
Mr. George,
Permit me clear a few things here for you to understand. These two guys are respecting the call they were ushered by Dr. Balla. Go and search for the video from Mr. Tassang and watch carefully, check his body language, direction of sight and posture, you will understand that Mr. Tassang is being motivated to read out what has been written for him to send out to the masses. It is in this like that, we as members of the consortium, considering that every Southern Cameroonian as this level is a member of the consortium, have judged for ourselves and resolved to keep power in the hands of Tapang and Mark.
At a time when the government’s ban on the consortium has not yet been uplifted, it is unwise to think that Mr. Tassang can lead the consortium from his rat hole without being compromised. It is all the trick of the regime to compromise our struggle, but we shall not sway into that. We remain resolute to the Cause and will continue to keep these two until an official declaration from Dr. Balla comes to public, and we can judge that he and Dr. Fontem are released and sound.
There is not turning back, and there is no criticizing our people. The battle is ours, so too is the victory.
George, for starters get clarifications from Tassang if he was acting on the people’s or his own decision.
Don’t: What do this children Mark and Ivo profit from the sacrifices they are making apart from insults and continuous insults at the slightest opportunity. They spend sleepless night, stressful days to Sheppard a people to freedom. How many of us is ready to make such sacrifices? I am terribly pissed at some people. I will let this pass because I have learned forgiveness from them. People are bestowed with different gifts. If theirs is the ability to lead people, where is the beef? Use what you are good in to help us out of this sinister and precarious situation instead of diverting and destabilising us. I just read another note purportly written by Boh Herbert. Please please please he should just shove it where it should. Be. We know his likes. Started by condemning the Munas who are spearheading the release of our leader. Let him just come and pass and go his own. We sabi Una fine fine. No more fooling Pipo.
Dear all,
Each and everyone’s opinion counts. The only worry now is, i don’t know for sure where Mr Tassang is for we know for sure where others-Dr Neba, Ba. Agbor, Ba. Bobga, Mancho etc. are.
I also wish the new leader as mentioned by him in the name of Ba. Eyambe, could have address us by now.
Another thing is whether the leadership is shaking or not, or confusing as it is now, the struggle continues.
First of all I would like to apologize if I insulted the interim leaders. That was not intentionally. I fully respect there work. They did and do a wonderful job. Moreover I agree with Don. Tassangs appearance in the last video was very strange. He was even not looking in the camera. We need more clarification. And like Tom says the other leaders such as Barrister Eyambe shall address us in a video (hands on the table,looking into the camera). The struggle continues.
“Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown,” so goes the adage. I personally appreciate everyone who is playing a leadership role in this on gong struggle to free ourselves from Francophone colonialism.. This not the time for blue blood Southern Cameroonians to bicker, because bickering only plays into La Republique du Cameroun’s diabolical scheme of fragmenting our people, to cause confusion, and distract our attention away from our primary objective of dislodging that evil regime from our lives and fatherland. In a situation such as the one in which we find find ourselves, there is bound to be differing points of view as to how we should proceed; let’s take them for what they are worth and not loose sight of our main goal and keep charging ahead until victory is attained.
WELL BIYA AND FRANCE WILL DO THEIR BEST AND SOME SOUTHERN CAMEROONIANS TO MAKE THE STRUGGLES COLLAPSE.OUR LEADERS SHOULD KNOW THIS,AND STAY TRUE TO THIS COURSE.
ONE THING SOUTHERN CAMEROONIANS DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE SUFFERING AND WHY ARE WE IN THIS STRUGGLE?SOUTHERN CAMEROON IS CURSE,THE LAND IS CURSE,EVERY TIME OUR LEADERS FAIL US,NO MATTER WHATEVER PRESSURE THEY WERE IN AND THEY SELL THE COURSE,IT COMES WITH A CURSE,THE CURSE IS THE SUFFERING WE ARE GOING THROUGH.OUR PARENTS SUFFERED,WE HAVE SUFFERED AND OUR CHILD AND CHILDREN CHILDRENS WILL SUFFER IF WE DO NOT CHANGE THIS.SO THE LEADERS OF THIS STRUGGLE,GOD IS WATCHING YOU.ANY MISTAKE YOU MAKE BECAUSE OF YOUR WEAKNESSES OF SELFISH INTEREST,YOUR OFFSPRING WILL SUFFER DOUBLE AND YOUR LAND WILL SUFFER AND SUFFER.
Thank you guys, thank you Southern Cameroonians.
No! WHY ARE YOU TWO SIDELINING MR TASSANG? ARE YOU NOT COMMUNICATIONS AND IS HE NOT A LEADER? THE CONSORTIUM CONSISTS OF THREE PEOPLE; DR FONTEM,MR TASSANG AND BARRISTER BALLA! ENOUGH OF THIS NONSENSE.IF YOU CAN’T RESPECT ONE OF THEM,YOU ARE DISRESPECTING ALL OF THEM.
AND WHO IS THIS NDIFORTASI EVARISTUS? NA WUNA OWN COMMUNICATIONS PERSON DAT.WUNA WANT FORM NEW CONSORTIUM? REM.GOD WILL RAISE STONES AND THROW YOU OUT. WUNA GO WATCH ON THE SIDELINES.YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ARMOUR BEARERS TO MR TASSANG,BUT LRC TAUGHT YOU WELL,CORRUPT MEN!
Edited · Like · Reply · Edit · Just now
Well done Mark and Ivo. This is how you show maturity. Those who feel bemused are them that struggle with the meaning of interim, nevertheless the procedure was poor but that is Cameroon standard. When we get Independence we shall introduce a better way to deliver same message.
It is also so logical that the Consortium which was created from Lawyers and Teachers trade Union should be headed by Lawyers and Teachers while we take other functions like press sec, publicity etc.
Mr Tassang is under arrest and forced to deliver that message and video. It is not his will, and so people should not fall short to understand. It was clearly stated that any rethinking of reorganisation and ending of the ghost towns will be announced by Barrister Balla in an open air press conference.This will or can only happen when they are free from the hands of the yaounde junta…. The struggle continue and at the same time, all factions of the Southern Cameroons liberation movements should make efforts to come under one umbrella mother organisation. To my best knowledge there are about 5-6 different groups each fighting the same course from different angle and different direction..e g SCNC; SWAPO; SCLC; AGC; Morisc SCYL, the Cameroon Anglophone Consortium etc I think the consortium has gain much ground in taking the fight directly than any other organisation and nearly 70% of southern cameroonians are favouring and listening to. All other groups and leaders should show maturity and keep their personal interest aside by coming into one main for a strong and better ways of management towards our Independence. I hope our ancestors will continue to standing by us till that day
sorry for many typing errors …..
Addendum to the remarks u guys have made concerning Mr Tassang’s body language in his last video, when it got to point where he was talking about boycott of 20th May, I heard someone whispered something like 31st of March. I believe he was under duress. Use an earpiece listen to the video.
Nobody told us that the way to freedom is easy. There are many obstacles. But we’ve already opened the gate. We see already the glimpse of the light. We can already smell the freedom. We already have that taste on our tongues. And that is so sweet. Nothing can divide us. The infighting just showed us that there are different views and opinions. It is good that we discuss. That is a democratic process long time suppressed by the regime of LRC. We stay strong and we are focused on our ultimate goal. Brothers and sisters let us look forward. No schools shall resume and ghosttown action continues. Let us do everything possible to free our leaders Dr. Agbor Balla, Dr. Fontem, Mancho BBC,and Pa Ayah Paul. Let us increase the pressure on that brutal regime to free our young brothers and sisters kidnapped at their schools, universities or just along the road. We want justice for all of our people tortured, maimed, raped or killed. We will not forget Mr. Biya! Nothing can distract us neither that empty AFCON cup nor the mountain race. WE ARE THE PEOPLE. The struggle continues.
The 60s are over. The 70s are over. The 80s are over. The 90s are over. I am over 50 years old, and have been fortunate to live and see the factionalism that corroded the Southern Cameroons leadership.
We live another epoch today. This has been resonated by the powerful leadership that we saw in Dr. Agbor Balla, Dr. Fontem, Comrade Tassang etc. Just before been taken into custody by the evil forces of Mr. Biya, Dr. Balla called on Tapang and Bareta to take the mantle.
The two have done a great job to keep the mantle of the consortium. Their relevance and stream direction has been faultless to say the least. Let them continue in the leadership role. Even if Comrade Tassang and co, feel comfortable now to drill the path, my humble suggestion will be for them to do so behind the scenes and keep the common front intact. Please don’t commit the same mistakes that my generation committed.
Remember its not about individual(s); its about a people, the people of the Southern Cameroons. Com Tassang, where ever you are, please keep your calm and reserve, let us hear from you. But let us hear from you through those that were presented to the people as the interim leaders. If you are truly free where ever you are, then spread out the leaf of silence, and lets sail through this critical phase. Be rest assured that you will never be forgotten!!
@Nsam: Very nice words. Thank you my brother.
Mark and Ivo are the people’s choice come rain come sun. We know Frustrated Boh Herbert and his slime of cohorts are not asleep. The are conniving with lrc and other sellout to come up with strategies to cause confusion. We are wiser now. Don’t waste your energies . We will see through you before you land. Band of traitors.
Any other fumbling I will expose you. The file I have for you is this thick. When people begin to know who you really are that your high blood pressure will kill you. Rapist!
To go straight to the point, Neither Ivo or Mark’s statements addressed anything or appear to understand the seriousness of all these mess. I don’t see any openness in the statements. You can not just mix words up.
Mark my words guys, if these continues, it shall bring us all down. let’s stop preaching about what we are not practising. Let’s be honest and inform the people about what is happening behind close doors as the writer ‘George’ wrote above.
I think Mark and Ivo have done an excellent job but nothing stops them from going back to the role they had before and show Tassang some respects.
I honestly think Mark and Ivo have not received an honest and balanced feedback about how a lot of people feel before making these releases. They will need to do so to understand the severity of what is at stake here for us all.
my humble opinion
Simon