Jean Rameau Sokoudjou Recounts Reunification Story

The traditional ruler of Bamendjou in the West Region was one of the key actors of the reunification of the British Southern Cameroons and French Cameroon that effectively took place on October 1, 1961. He joined the struggle already as a traditional ruler.

The traditional ruler disclosed that he was one of those who set on motion the advent of the reunification process in Douala on May 25, 1955. They created a support committee with the mission to collect funds and support the advocates of reunification such as John Ngu Foncha. To them, it was important to let the French authorities understand that Cameroonians wanted to be free and a reunited country. His Majesty Sokoudjo was indeed the financial secretary of the support committee for the West.

The traditional ruler believes that reunification was facilitated by the desire by people from the same cultural origin to come back to the family. He was not totally satisfied with the decisions taken during the Foumban Conference owing to the fact that agents of the French colonial administration infiltrated the event to hamper what did not favour the French.

The main goal of the Foumban Conference, he said was reunification and it was achieved. As preparations heighten towards the celebration of 50 years of reunification, the traditional ruler of Bamendjou is somehow disappointed because the powers that be are not paying attention to the architects of reunification. He admits that Cameroon is united but appeals that everyone should benefit from the fruits of growth in the country.