Tribute to Chief Ayamba Ette Otun

The vanguard liberation movement, the S.C.N.C. is here today July 26, 2014 in this historic town of Mamfe, the cradle of British Southern Cameroons nationalism, the host-town of the Monument of its independence, to pay its last respect to a fallen hero who has struggled for the restoration of the confiscated independence of British Southern Cameroons.

H.R.H. Chief Ayamba Ette Otun was not only a crusader for the freedom of his people but also a seasoned patriot and statesman. Unlike some who sing and shout their commitment and patriotism, he lived it.

As a crusader for freedom and justice he upheld the belief that the number one enemy of freedom and justice; FEAR, must be overcome for the truth to be proclaimed and defended. This conviction led him to deny himself the comfort and pleasure of old age as he gave his all to fight for the freedom of his people.

True to his belief in the dignity of man, he was opposed to the use of violence in solving conflicts. Knowing well that no people under subjugation and alien rule can ever develop or live in peace, he together with Justice Frederick Ebong and James Sabum by faith and tact in their mission used Radio Buea on the night of December 30, 1999 and declared the restoration of the independence of British Southern Cameroons, an act which caused a lot of panic within the circles of the Yaounde regime.

Unfortunately, in the character of a colonial power determined to keep its colony, the ruthless Yaounde regime kidnapped and detained them for 14 months in an underground cell under life threatening circumstances in Yaounde, la Replublique du Cameroun.

That arrest and detention far from daunted Chief Ayamba’s determination to free his people, instead, it strengthened his resolve and like iron that is refined through fire, he stood the test of time. Upon their release from detention, while Justice Ebong went on self exile to Nigeria, Chief and Pa Sabum stayed behind to continue the fight. To them, their detention was just a battle lost and not the war. They threw their weight behind the struggle under the chairmanship of late Dr. Martin Ngeka Luma after whose death the baton of command thanks to his commitment was passed on to him, Chief Ayamba in 2003.

The S.C.N.C. registered some significant successive diplomatic victories under the stewardship of Chief Ayamba such as; Securing membership for Southern Cameroons in Unrepresented Nations and Peoples’ Organization (U.N.P.O), The Hague. In March 2005 a landmark victory internationalizing of the struggle by having it registered at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland when the two Cameroons clashed on UN Floor. The SCNC presentation brought out to the limelight, the legitimate and legal struggle under UN and the international system.

As chief Representative of the S.C.N.C. in the S.C.N.C/ SCAPO case on behalf of British Southern Cameroons against la Republique du Cameroun in the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (A.C.H.P.R.) Banjul, The Gambia, he worked hard for the final ruling which came out in 2009. The AU Summit approved it calling for Constructive Dialogue. But annexationist la Republique du Cameroun, guilty as charged has with impurity snubbed the Ruling and the Continental body.

Under his leadership UNPO Member Nation representatives in solidarity with the SCNC staged a peaceful protest before the EU Presidency in Brussels submitting a memorandum to the E.U. President. Similar protests were staged with him leading in London and Paris.

Though he suffered many arrests, detentions under life threatening circumstances in different parts of this country, he remained unbowed. His commitment was cut in the rock to the point that he could not forgive any involved in the politics of la Republique du Cameroun or had whatever dealings with the annexationist regime. This was not self-centred hatred from his flesh and bones, it was the product of deep love for his Fatherland and country people from his spirit.

His role and active participation even at such an advanced age should serve as a source of inspiration to the doubting Thomases. May I remind you of the story of the stag and the horse during that period of acute famine in the forest whereby the horse for fear of starving to death defied the advice of the stag not to accept food from tyrant man as that will amount to losing his freedom and dignity. Of course, the horse accepted the food and offered his back for tyrant man to ride on which situation prevails till date.

On the contrary, the stag knew that the famine will be short lived and endured it and today moves freely in the forest whereas the horse is always tethered with a bridle on its head and controlled by tyrant man. H.R.H. Chief Ayamba Ette Otun refused the crumbs from the oppressor master`s table in Yaounde and died a free and happy man unlike some Southern Cameroonians who because of treachery have been compelled to play second fiddle to the oppressive Yaounde regime. They have bent their backs like the horse and are being ridden upon by the oppressor without a right to complain.

Your Royal Highness, in sending you back to your creator, we pledge to stand firm and committed to the ideals for which you offered your last muscle until the last minute of your life here on earth. We assure you that your bones will stir with satisfaction in your grave the moment the sovereignty of British Southern Cameroons is broadcast and the deserved seat at the UN assumed. We pledge to sink our differences and like one man sail the Southern Cameroons boat to safe shores. Though gone on June 18, 2014, your indefatigable spirit lives with us and shall turn against any who betrays.

You were a father to many in the struggle before becoming the National Chairman. Your exemplary love for your Fatherland, faith in and unyielding commitment to the struggle for FREEDOM, JUSTICE and INDEPENDENCE of our nation, British Southern Cameroons, will remain the shining morning star till we shall awaken, you Chief Ayamba, Ette Otun, and other leaders gone before, Dr. Martin Ngeka Luma, Pa Stephen Ndi, Vincent Feko, Albert W. Mukong, Iron Lady Regina Mankefor, Justice Abel Nfor Njamnsi, Hon. P.P. Nkwenti, Patrick Samba Mbuwe, Prince Humprey Mbinglo, Fedelis Chinkwo, Dr. E.M.L. Endeley, J.N. Foncha, Chief Stephen Nyenti, among others;

With the joyous trumpet sound of FREE AT LAST! FREE AT LAST!! FREE AT LAST!!!

May your soul rest in perfect peace For the SCNC and on behalf of British Southern Cameroonians,

Nfor Ngala Nfor (National Chairman, SCNC)