By Mbong Mildred
Arrested separatist leader, Ayaba Cho is reportedly confident that the move only goes to shed more light on their “struggle for independence”. Following a statement in circulation by a certain Dr Tapang believed to be a member of the separatist movement, Ayaba Cho, in an early reaction to his arrest, reportedly maintains that he was prepared for the arrest, which he described as “long overdue”.
According to Tapang, Ayaba emphasises that this is neither his first arrest nor will it be his last, recalling that German authorities previously failed in their attempt to arrest him and expressing confidence that Norway will also not succeed.
Recall that Ayaba Cho was arrested on September 25 by Norwegian police. Ayaba, who also has a German nationality, is being detained for inciting crimes against humanity in the restive North West and South West regions of Cameroon. The arrest is said to be the first of its kind in Norway.
Ayaba Cho, 52, before his arrest was the leader of the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGOVC). The Council is said to be the political wing of the Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF), a separatist group fighting for independence in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions. Ayaba, like other separatist leaders have been targets of arrest and prosecution over the past years, following the bloody conflict since 2017. He and his likes are being held accountable for many lives lost, sufferings, hardships, damages, panic and restlessness on the population in the two regions. Reports say the recent two-weeks enforced lockdown by separatists and their fighters in the two regions, with the attacks, killings and sufferings it brought on the population, spearheaded the arrest.
“Dr. Ayaba asserted that he remains in high spirits and intends to convert this arrest into an international dispute to further the Ambazonian cause”, Tapang says. Ayaba also allegedly holds that the negative publicity surrounding him ultimately benefits Ambazonia, drawing more attention to the cause. It is not certain if the statements are actually his, or a mere separatist propaganda to boost courage.
Following the arrest, The SUN gathered that in a swift move, a certain Julius Nyiawung (Nyih) has assumed leadership of the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGOVC).
In a late-night address on Wednesday, Nyih, previously AGOVC’s vice President, confirmed Ayaba’s arrest and announced his interim leadership.
Reports say Ayaba Cho wasn’t the only AGOVC activist targeted; US-based separatist members are said to have also faced interrogation.
In a bit to “free” the English-speaking people of Cameroon, the Separatists hijacked a civil protest by teachers and lawyers of the English sub-system in 2016, to demand for independence. The past 8 years has been frustrating for the population. Destruction, killings have been the separatist strategy in enforcing their objective, a weight that remains heavy on the shoulder of the population they claim to defend.