AGC3 Conveners poise for a solution, change Moves, send emissaries to Europe and the Americas.

During a press conference held Saturday January 12th in Bamenda, the Conveners of the All Anglophone General Conference 3, revealed to the press that, they are changing their modus operandi in ensuring that their strive to bring peace and stability in the troubled North West and South West regions of the country is successful. According to the lead convener, His Eminence Christian Cardinal Tumi, alot has not been done yet to sensitize the anglophone communities back home and abroad, on the mission of the AGC3. “We all agree that enough consultations have not been done, that is why we are sending missions to America and Europe and within the country, to the Chiefs and to other English speaking Cameroonians. As soon as we get the results of the extensive consultation missions, a date and a place for the conference will immediately be announced”, says the veteran Catholic Prelate.

The press conference availed journalists the opportunity to clear out some doubts since the team had only landed the North West Region for the first time. Here are excepts.

Question:

There is an Online Referendum proposed by the AGC3 Conveners. We will love to know the Authenticity of that documents.

(Ngong Song Jean Marie, The Rambler Newspaper)

Answer: (Elie Smith, AGC3 Spokesman).

Any thing referendum is not from Us. By contrast, there are 3 questions, one is on Decentralized States and the preceding one on Federalism. The third says, if you are not satisfied with the first 2, you make yours. Its going to be contradictory for the people of the AGC to say they are neutral and at the same time, issue a referendum. ( AGC3 has a Facebook page, Not yet a website).

Question:

Who is sponsoring the AGC3 from the International Front? Is the AGC again on a Fact finding mission when anglophones expect a solution?

( Mbaku Jude, Standard Mirror and LTM TV)

Answer: Imam Mohammed Aboubakar, Buea

We are not sending out people to come back and give you the same results. Don’t misinterpret us to be the kind of Commissions setup by the state. We are a religious body and concern about the welfare of Cameroonians, especially anglophones.

As for who is sponsoring Us, we can consult bodies like the UN. Some of the representatives that are here. These people are not sponsoring us.

Question:

Why is the team not gender sensitive? Are women not worthy to be part of the solution process according to the Conveners?

(Larry Ucheena, METEO Radio)

Answer: ( Rev Fonki Samuel, PCC Moderator)

Non of the leaders of the churches is a woman, she would have been brought in. We hope that at various stages when we will bring everyone on board, women leaders will come in to sensitize the rest.

Question:

Given that we can not all as Anglophones gather in one hall, how will participation look like on the conference day?

(Bah Toko Emmanuel, CBC radio Bamenda station manager)

Answer: ( Elie Smith and Rev Fonki)

(Elie): The first Criteria is that, you should be a native of anglophone Cameroon. Either yours father and mother are from NW/SW Cameroon (Southern Cameroon or West Cameroon after reunification) Or your parents settled there before 1961. This is because, you will know the exact problems of the Anglophones. Other Cameroonians who are not Anglophones will come as Observers.

(Rev Fonki):We will come out with credible groups that will represent their subdivisions, Divisions, and regions, in that order. The mobilisation groups will be charged with this. We won’t work haphazardly.

The press conference was hosted by the Executive president of the Cameroon Baptist Convention, Rev Dr Ncham Godwill, who was out of the country at the time the idea of AGC3 was conceived. He now joins the Conveners team.

The AGC3, born July 2018 has suffered several setbacks and challenges. Two dates scheduled for the conference have been shifted for another yet to be announced. Again, both parties of the crisis, The Separatists and the State of Cameroon, have not accorded their blessings for the impending conference. The pioneer Spoke person, Dr Simon Munzu, had earlier given up due to threats on his life.

So far, the AGC3 is the only local platform that avails the Anglophone community exclusively, the chance to have a new look into what they want from the unitary Government of Cameroon. Many International organizations, Governments, And other opinion holders have called on President Biya’s government to call for a National Dialogue. In his 2018 end of year speech, the president who has ruled since 1982 November says, he will dialogue only with people of goodwill and not “War Mongers”.

Since october 2016, more than a thousand people have died, 150 villages and communities burnt down and economy of the 2 regions at a standstill with dark days still looming in the former Southern Cameroon State of the republic of Cameroon.