Serious manhunt launched for fled SCNC activist

 By Kingsley Ojong

Muyuka, September,. Police and gendarmes in Muyuka, Southwest province of Camerooon have embarked on a serious manhunt for members of the Cameroon separatist movement, the Southern Cameron National Council (SCNC).  The hunt comes on the heels of the February, 2008 social upheavals in

Cameroon and ahead of the October 1, when SCNC celebrate their independence day. A police officer who spoke to L’Effort camerounais on condition of anonymity said, officials of the movement in Muyuka among whom is a certain Amin Morfaw Patrick, a teacher by profession and the Organizing Secretary for Muyuka are wanted by security forces for interrogation.

 

The police officer, an Anglophone and himself a sympathizer of the separatist movement said, Amin, 50, is a target by for security forces. According to him, on several occasions Amin has been caught distributing SCNC material and organizing rallies in some areas of Fako such as Muyuka, Muyenge, Bafia, Ekona and Owe. He revealed that the

Cameroon government is doubling efforts to crack down on activists with all possible means.

Many of have been killed in such cracks downs while several other reprimanded in custody and a good number sent to jail for very long terms. “People like Amin are among the major organizers targeted” the police officer said. He however, stressed that as a police officer working for government,” I have to respect the law… You know, information on the whereabouts of Amin is also needed in the our offices” he noted

 

Cameroon Amin Patrick, a father of five and a diehard supporter of the SCNC was also accused of taking part in the February 2008 strike in which almost paralyzed the country. Over 40 people were killed by government troops, a government report indicated, but, independent sources like the Action for the Abolition of Torture and Slavery ACAT-Cameroon, put the figure at over 200.

 

President Biya blamed his political opponents for the strike. Hundreds of people mostly youths were caught, terribly beaten and incarcerated in different jails around the country.

 

According to Sylvester Taku, a senior executive member of the SCNC, Amin was among those incarcerated under horrible conditions in the Buea central prison. He said Amin “was caught, seriously beaten and taken to Buea prison where he is fell seriously sick”. “As of now, his where about is not known but, some sources say he might have fled the country for his safety.

However, “his family still remains a target” says Enoh Abraham, another SCNC militant. “Amin has suffered several arrests, torture and detention because of his attachment to the respect of the right of the minority in

Cameroon" Enoh said.His escape has been considered a “blessing” for him as his life might have paid the price. His wife, Rosaline Alandem, who is also in hiding due to threats from forces of law and order to produce her husband, says she “greatly fears” for the life of her husband if he is caught by Cameroon government forces.

The SCNC has continuously complained of marginalization by their French speaking brothers who make up four-fifth of the country’s population.  

 

Ssouthern Cameroon opted to gain independence on October 1, 1961 by joining La Republique du Cameroun. However, SCNC militants claim that Anglophones joined Francophone Cameroon because there was no third option for them to decide whether they wanted to stand alone.  They also argue that such unification was on basis of equality, but they have been marginalized in all aspects of national development and appointments in government.

  Kingsley Ojong in Muyuka