64 years ago, Ruben Um Nyobe was executed
On this exact day, September 13, some 64 years ago, Ruben Um Nyobe was killed in a forest not far from Boumnyebel by the French army.
Few are the people who completely know this emblematic figure and his contribution to Cameroon’s independence which for several years after his death, remained a taboo and was not taught in schools.
The man well known for the quote “A nation determined to fight for its freedom and independence is invincible” had created on August 10th 1948, the UPC party which demanded the immediate independence of Cameroon and the reunification of the then British and French Cameroons.
On September 13 1958, while leading a fight against colonial rule under the then Maquisards that was created by the UPC party, he was assassinated in a forest in Boumnyebel by the French army and his remains dragged in mud.
According to the historian, Achille Mbembe, after the assassination of Ruben Um Nyobe, the first regime after independence tried to wipe away his memory from the minds of Cameroonians. It is only in the year 1990 that the historical figure was rehabilitated and his name and image given authorisation to be published through law n°91/022 of December 16 1991.
He is now recognized as the main actor in Cameroon’s independence. A statue of him was erected in Eseka in 2007 to keep him in memory.
To commemorate the 64th anniversary of his death, another statue of him will be inaugurated in the Sanaga Maritime where he was assassinated.
