Sisiku Ayuk Tabe pushes for dialogue from prison

Southern Cameroon’s self-proclaimed leader Sisiku Ayuk Tabe has restated his earlier support for sincere dialogue between the government of Cameroon and leaders of the Southern Cameroon seccessionist movements while reaffirming his commitment to the liberation struggle.

He was speaking during an interview he granted “le jour” newspaper published yesterday December 5th.

According to him, the demilitarization of the North West and South West regions, and the release of all prisoners arrested in the course of the struggle or anglophone crisis as it has become commonly known, will lead the way to possible dialogue amongst other possible measures. He however highlighted conditions for his participation in the holding of a dialogue with the Biya regime.

“We propose here that Cameroon which has declared war, declare a ceasefire and the demilitarization of the English-speaking regions. The release of all those imprisoned because of this crisis, amnesty for exiled compatriots and international dialogue arbitrated by a neutral country and at a place agreed by both parties. As soon as these conditions are met, we will sit down if the government wants to negotiate, we will negotiate,” he explained.

Ayuk Tabe also rubbished efforts made by the government in holding him down:
“I am physically in prison but morally and spiritually I am a free man. Those who put me here are more in prison than I am. I don’t have a problem with anyone but I remain solidly committed to the struggle that began several years ago. This fight is for the liberation of Southern Cameroons- Ambazonia, from the oppression and misrule that plagues this country”.

It should be recalled that Ayuk Tabe, Dr. Kimeng Henry, Dr. Kwanga, Professor Che Augustine Awasum, His Majesty Shufai Blaise, and Dr. Nfor Ngalla, have been imprisoned at the Kondengui Central Prison for over four years now. They were arrested in Nigeria in a joint military operation by Cameroon and Nigerian secret service officers.

Six years into the current socio-political crisis plaguing the two English-spekaing regions of the country, there is a need for both parties to convene to put an end to this crisis which has led to thousands of deaths, and destruction of properties among other consequences.