June 6, 2009
Release of SCNC leadership a victory for Southern Cameroons campaign
The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) welcomes the news that on 3 June 2009 the leadership of the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) were released on bail from Mamfe Prison, Cameroon, after a ruling sentencing them to five months imprisonment awaiting appeal at the Buea Court of Appeal.
The detained leaders, Chief Ayamba, SCNC Chairman, Mr. Nfor Ngala Nfor, SCNC Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Enow, all expressed relief on their release after spending seven days in detention facilities that were inappropriate and unhealthy. The SCNC leaders extended their heartfelt thanks to all those who had worked to put pressure on the Cameroonian authorities to secure their release.
Speaking following their release, Mr. Nfor Ngala Nfor stated that “we remain steadfast to our philosophy of Nonviolence and total commitment to restore the statehood and sovereign independence of British Southern Cameroons."
Throughout this episode Cameroon has once again demonstrated to the international community its failure to respect the rule of law, human rights, and democracy. It is clear that an international re-examination of the Southern Cameroons situation remains both necessary and long overdue.
UNPO therefore reiterates its wholehearted support for such a re-examination and stands ready to make it a reality. UNPO also remains staunch in its support for the nonviolent campaign of the Southern Cameroons people, which over the past five decades has withstood concerted intimidation and repression from the Republic of Cameroon. The release this week of the SCNC leadership shows the success and unshakable resilience of this campaign.
To download a copy of the statement, please click here.
Members of the SCNC leadership, Mr. Nfor Ngala Nfor (SCNC Vice-Chairman), Chief Ayamba (SCNC Chairman), and Mr. Enow, outside Mamfe Prison, Cameroon, on the day of their release.
