By Ndumbe Bell Gaston in Douala
In a press conference precipitated by the recent announcement of His Eminence Cardinal Tumi, Archbishop Emeritus of Douala, that Dr. Simon Munzu, the then Coordinator and spokesperson of the Anglophone General Conference (AGC) will not participate in the conference slated for November 21 and November 22 in Buea because of an eminent threat to his life by separatists, Dr. Munzu decided to react in a press conference organized by him, to throw more light as to the reasons for declining.
In the press briefing that urgently took place in Douala last Saturday November17, a rather composed Dr Munzu addressed a battery of journalists confirming his withdrawal, explaining reasons for his actions and throwing much light in what he believes the Anglophone General Conference is out to achieve and beyond.
He recalled that it was last Wednesday November 14 that His Eminence announced his decision to step down as spokesperson of the College of Conveners and Coordinator of the organizing committee of the Anglophone General Conference. So, in agreement with His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi, he organised this press conference to throw more light on that decision.
He stated that regarding his personal attendance he has been, for one year now, a subject of a relentless campaign of intimidation, denigration, lies, and threats of violence and death orchestrated on social media by leaders and followers of the separatist movement. He went on that since the conference continues to face the hostility of the separatists, it therefore constitute a high risk for his personal safety and must be taken seriously.
Another reason for which he says he stepped down was to allow the conference to continue in order to help the people of the South-West and the North-West. In return, he said “We should also now expect the separatists to lift their five day total lockdown decree,” so that the conference can hold.
He continued that he also stepped down so that the separatist can come and participate in the Anglophone General Conference since some of them who were invited told Cardinal Tumi that some of them can only attend unless Dr. Munzu withdrew his participation, but wondered why he, Munzu, who has been in this struggle for more than 25 years and had organized two previous Anglophone Conferences in the mid-90s, is being targeted as an obstacle.
Dr. Munzu appealed to the Head of State to use this period of his great opportunities to start by accelerating the resolution of the Anglophone problem.
He also stated that he will continue to support the College of Conveners with any action that may be required for the follow-up and implementation of the decisions of the conference. Many other pertinent issues were brought to light. One of them, he advised is that it will be difficult for influential countries to endorse separatism even though they agree there is an Anglophone problem.