Comrade Nkem Ndem is a

university don based in South

Africa. He recently addressed

a conference of Southern

Cameroonians on the preven-

tion of grassroots rotting in

the Southern Cameroons war

of liberation. SCCOP News

caught up with him and in

this chat, sought to know

from him the importance of

the grassroots and to dissect

the grassroots/diaspora rela-tionship in general.

SCCOP News Greetings, Comrade Nkem

Ndem, you remarked that the grassroots are “relegated to

the position implementing deci-

sions rather than being part of the decision making”. But let us

start by asking, who are the

grassroots and why should they be involved in decision making?

Comrade Nkemdem (CNN)

The grass root refers to the

“ordinary people”. They have

the potential to reshape and re-

write history, enforce political

change if they are mobilized

appropriately. The grass root is

not controlled by a particular

individual or party. It is an in-

dependent group of self-

organized people who feel

strongly about a particular

problem and are ready to

change the situation, by encour-

aging each other to contribute

by taking responsibility and

action. In our context GZ is the

“grass root”. It is but normal

Editorial Comment

As we keep tabs open in

expectation of resound-

ing commemoration of

the 22 September 2017

when the Biya regime

deployed helicopter gun-

ships all over the South-

ern Cameroons to mur-

der peaceful protesters,

this issue went a step

beyond the headlines to

reexamine a critical part-

nership in the Southern

Cameroons struggle.

Often, GZ voices indict

the diaspora for multiple

leadership failings. On

the other hand, some

diaspora actors accuse

some people on GZ of

not being sufficiently

engaged, for example, in

the defence initiatives.

To dissect this relation-

ship and propose strate-

gies for closer synergies

between the grassroots

and the diaspora, Com-

rade Nkemdem fields

questions from our Com-

munications team.

He starts by reaffirming

the importance of both

constituencies to the

revolution. He follows

up by showing how their

roles are different but

complimentary and

concludes with a word

on how leadership can

spearhead understanding

through political educa-

tion.

The Grassroots versus diaspora debate in the Southern Cameroons

THINK LIKE A

SCCOPPER

that as the key stakeholders who are fully steeped in the

situation we are protesting, they know and feel things an-

yone from outside cannot feel. For example, they are the

ones who “face the bullets” to use this popular expression

in our community.

SCCOP News

Thanks, I understand that the grassroots in our case

would be the population in the homeland and may be those who have been displaced to both LRC and Nigeria.

But who should involve them in decision making? Are

The grassroots are not controlled by any individual or party, and are

ready to take responsibility and action in changing the situation as we

saw in 2016/2017 and since then, with Monday ghost towns and other

forms of resistance against the colonizers from LRC.

Volume 1 Issue 9 of September 21, 2020

THINK LIKE A SCCOPPER Page 2

they not supposed to involve them-

selves since you say they are self-

organised?

CNN

Firstly, let me correct that the grass-

roots can also be ordinary citizens in

the diaspora, though the overwhelm-

ing majority are on ground zero. Re-

garding who should involve them, I

would say, despite the fact that we are

united as victims of LRC colonization

and presently, by being all affected by

the genocidal killings, there are still

several conflicts within the Southern

Cameroons community. The diaspora

up to now have taken the leadership

of the revolution hence it is important

that any decision irrespective of the

movement be conveyed to GZ for

inputs and feasibility before imple-

mentation. Things like differences in

educational level, value or goal differ-

ences, selfish ambition and lack of

cooperation, the desire for power and

intolerance mar all sorts of attempts at

organization. It is worse in the grass-

roots because of fear of betrayal. It is

therefore up to the diaspora to show

better leadership since it is often easy

for diasporans to communicate with

GZ than for different groups on GZ to

communicate with each other across

wide distances, for example, we have

multiple TVs and the GZ are only con-

sumers receiving messages from the

diaspora. They could involve the grass-

roots more in production so that the

grassroots really report their experienc-

es. The diaspora have a natural ad-

vantage in having a wider margin of

freedom to do things for the revolution,

they can work and earn higher to fund,

they can organize protests and have

access to friends who can help the peo-

ple back home who are in a military

cage or facing an undeclared state of

emergency.

SCCOP News

What are the reasons for this non-involvement of the grassroots and what

solutions can the “frontline leaders

and activists” adopt for greater syner-gies between the various constituencies

involved in this struggle?

CNN

The reasons are many, but to summa-

rize, I would say it is the lack of effec-

tive communication between GZ, G1

and diaspora. In fact, with access to

digital communication channels, in-

cluding social media, information can

be quickly disseminated. However, the

dissemination of information quickly

does not necessarily facilitate commu-

nication, because there is the possibil-

ity for multiple versions and even infil-

tration by enemy propagandists. Even

among different actors on GZ, there is

a problem of communication because

people cannot hold meetings to agree

on certain issues. Worse is that the ene-

my has control of the telecommunica-

tions networks and therefore, it can

interrupt or intercept communications

between our grassroots population

groups if open lines are used. Another

reason which is quite but speaks a lot is

the cap of advanced civilization that

the diaspora is wearing.

As for the solutions, the diaspora needs

to stop the confusing messages to

ground zero that often result from their

infighting as seen in the violent com-

munication between “leaders” and

“activist”. This is easier said than

done, but that is the direction to which

we should be moving. The grassroots

on GZ would provide feedback if there

is a dedicated channel but with multi-

ple interlocutors, it becomes everyone

doing whatever they care to do. In the

early days of the revolution, with one

TV, one spokesperson, there was a

sense of organization. The diaspora

and GZ acted as one person. There is

need for transparency and accountabil-

ity to fuel up unity and advancement.

You will remember that recently, the

alleged syphoning of revolutionary

funds into private pockets (MTTB) has

widened the gap between front liners

based abroad.

SCCOP News

Quite often, in forums where the dias-pora meet with GZ, but especially on

social media, the diaspora is often

blamed for dividing GZ and you seem to corroborate this. But then, many in

the diaspora argue that the diaspora does not make orders but only helps in

raising funds and communicating or-

ders because GZ can neither raise funds easily nor communicate, given

the presence of the enemy. This would mean that divisions do not come from

the diaspora but simply exist simulta-

neously in diaspora and on GZ. What would you say to this, in the light of all

your foregoing arguments?

CNN

Yes, in fact, the disagreements we see

The Grassroots versus diaspora debate in the Southern Cameroons, cont.

the diaspora needs to stop the

confusing messages to ground

zero that often result from their

infighting as seen in the violent

communication between “leaders”

and “activists”.

AKs could become a more effective revolutionary

tool with more understanding between the GZ

civilians and fighters as well as the diaspora.

THINK LIKE A SCCOPPER VOLUME 1 ISSUE 9 Page 3

among some of the grassroots arise for

exactly the same reason we see in-

fighting in the diaspora. This is because

bad apples exist everywhere, both on

GZ and in the diaspora. I have identi-

fied five categories: 1) The Depressive

Pessimist who complains about their

task on camera and doubts the success

of the revolution. 2) The Jerk who re-

jects other peoples’ or groups’ opinions

but will never offer alternatives. 3) The

Slacker who does not care the conse-

quences of their actions especially

when they fail to execute tasks as-

signed and accepted. 4) The Spear

Grass who does not have firm decision

and goes for every doctrine. 5) Then

we have the most widely known, the

Blacklegs, who pretends to be a team

member but takes our sensitive infor-

mation to the enemy. It is important for

all Southern Cameroonians to make

sure they do not play any of these roles,

no matter where they find themselves.

This is especially so for the diaspora,

we can recall some of our leaders were

arrested in circumstances that suggest

blacklegs were at play. Such a thing

should not happen among the diaspora

who should know better who is who.

SCCOP News

But does the diaspora truly have the

upper hand in this revolution? How comes, when the revolution started on

GZ? It is neither Chairman Millan nor

Sissiku, nor any other diaspora-based leader who asked the teachers and law-

yers to formulate grievances with a return to federation as the solution!

That is where it all started in 2016.

CNN

Yes, I think it has. As I said before,

most diaspora constituencies enjoy

freedom that is not available to the

grassroots on GZ. They are also more

able to mobilize diplomatic friends and

lastly, many live in countries with

higher employment possibilities than

back home, so their remittances have

funded the revolution. He who pays the

piper often calls the tune. You should

know that before the lawyers and

teachers uprising (remote/immediate

cause) there were talks between the

two sectors. Comrades from GZ, you

will remember, took part in the con-

claves that were held in G1 leading to

the putting in place of the IG.

SCCOP News Today, some prominent diaspora

groups are in full-fledged infighting, accusing each other of being la Re-

publique du Cameroun infiltrators,

losing the opportunity to unify their efforts and collaborate for the sake of

GZ. What remark will you say to these

groups?

CNN The issue of infighting is not new in

revolution. The biggest promoter of

infighting is the lack of knowledge of

how to conduct a revolution. In the

Holy Scriptures, in the book of Hosea

4:6, God told the prophet that His peo-

ple are perishing for lack of

knowledge. Many Southern Came-

roonians took the revolution for an ad-

venturous ride and did not acquire

enough knowledge on how to conduct

themselves, what military strategy to

use, the type of intelligence needed. The central command or financial strat-

egy are lacking. To summarize it, we

failed to put in place what I, in my own

terminology, call the “SEVEN Ws OF

A REVULOUTION” that is (a) why a

revolution, (b) when to start, (c) what

strategy to use, (d) who to command

(e) who to implement (f) which form of

revolution and (g) where to hit the ene-

my, we will not get it right. When these

things are put in place unity will not be

a challenge. Because of lack of

knowledge most of the diaspora-based

groups now see failure at the end of the

tunnel, hence they are looking for

whom to blame. That is the main rea-

son of infighting which gave room for

people to go and beg LRC to play the

role of infiltrators and make some cash

given that what they have invested is

not yielding any fruits. Most diaspo-

rans did not see the revolution as liber-

ation and re-instatement of statehood.

They saw it as investment to give them

tenders, contracts businesses, to act as

middlemen in deals, among other

things, in the new homeland. These

reasons I have enumerated are the rea-

sons why we at SCCOP are moving

forward and mark my words SCCOP is

the shoulder that Southern Came-

roonians will finally lean on. I thank

God for the visionary, experienced,

knowledgeable and intelligent leader

He has given us in the person of our

Chairman. I personally think the title of

“OUR LEADER” is best for him.

Leader Atam is wonderful.

SCCOP News

I am sure many well informed Southern

Cameroonians will share your opinion there on Chairman Millan Atam. But

now that you talk of leadership, let me

The Grassroots versus diaspora debate in the Southern Cameroons, cont.

Many Southern Cameroonians

took the revolution for an

adventurous ride and did not

acquire enough knowledge on

how to conduct themselves, what

military strategy to use, the type

of intelligence needed.

Diaspora activism has been most effective in

putting the Southern Cameroons war on global

agendas and results are beginning to trickle in, like

the recent US senate resolution calling for a peace-

ful resolution. Hopefully global action will follow

these meaningful words by US lawmakers.

THINK LIKE A SCCOPPER Page 4

take you to Ground Zero where there

have been instances where the

“president” of a village mobilized the

population to attack an Amba camp, de-

tained the fighters and called the enemy

forces who took the captured Amba fight-

ers to torture for intelligence and later

executed them. The said president said

the Amba fighters had oppressed the vil-

lage and that Ambazonia should allow

God to fight for them. Would you say this

is a case of grassroots rotting or one of

treason?

CNN

It is obvious that such acts are fruits of

rotting. If we call it treason, is it

against the village or LRC or the Am-

ba? Was there evidence of oppression

from the side of the village president?

The rottening has given room for the

enemy (LRC) to exploit it to their ad-

vantage, which includes negative me-

dia publicity for Amba fighters.

SCCOP News

Again, other people on GZ say they are

tired and we cannot win this war ex-cept with international support and

that the diaspora has failed to secure

that support so it should end. What would you say to them?

CNN

The worst mistake we can make now is

to stop the revolution and surrender to

the oppressor at this point. So long as

one Southern Cameroonian still has the

faith that we will win, then victory is

possible. The situation GZ is going

through now is similar to what the Isra-

elites were experiencing in the book of

Numbers chapter 13 on their way to the

promised land. You often hear them

asking Moses why he took them out of

Egypt. Even when Moses sent spies to

view the promised land, only Joshua

and Caleb were positive but they final-

ly entered the promised land. To my

people in GZ, don’t give up at this

point. There is still a “CALEB” on

whose faith we all will lean and go to

Buea.

SCCOP News Let me take you back to this statement. It

is the diaspora which mostly funds so

“who pays the piper calls the tune”. Is it

really right? Does having money really

amount to being a capable thoughtful

leader who can decide the best actions

required to fight the colonizer? Similarly,

others say, being on GZ and facing the

bullets means GZ should call the tune?

What do you say?

CNN

Actually, it is a matter of synergies

between the two. First of all, if GZ is

well organized and mobilized, they can

raise more funds to equip our defense

forces and provide them food and med-

ical supplies. I mean, way more than

anything the diaspora can dream of. It

is very important for the leadership to

put more effort into organizing the

grassroots. Something like the SDF’s

cells in the 1990s. The SCNC probably

had such but it is difficult to know if

they are operational now. Synergies is

the way to go. This is the moment both

the diaspora and GZ need a mindset

change to move forward.

SCCOP News

What is being done within SCCOP to

address some of these problems and implement the solutions you are pro-

posing?

CNN

At SCCOP, we are currently, through

the political education unit, educating

the members. Remember our members

come from different walks of life so a

sound political education is necessary

on how to run and manage a revolu-

tion, just to mention this one important

series of lessons. We as SCCOP are

ready to work towards synergy, and

believe in the creation of a united front

especially within the diaspora. For

now, I do not want to let the cat out of

the bag at this stage but I can assure

you that as SCCOP when we will come

out, BUEA will be the bus stop.

SCCOP News One last question. LRC has recently em-

barked on a murderous campaign which

has seen them concentrate more military

actions in Bamenda. Purportedly to

clean the city, we have seen them mostly

killing civilians, using them as human

shields, and even reportedly killing some

people because their relatives have been

identified as pro-Ambazonia fighters. As

a revolutionary leader, what word do you

have for the civilians on GZ in terms of

their safety?

CNN

We do not want to reinstate a country

without citizens. I will tell my people

to tread with caution and to avoid areas

where the barbaric LRC military are

operating. They must also avoid receiv-

ing bribes to act as informants. They

should obey the “country Sunday” and

remain calm and peaceful.

The end.

The Grassroots versus diaspora debate in the Southern Cameroons, cont.

We as SCCOP are ready to work

towards synergy, and believe in

the creation of a united front

especially within the diaspora.

The picture of this bewildered Southern Came-

roonian girl watching the ruins of her family’s

house should remind all revolutionary adventurers

of our collective responsibility to our people, both

present and future generations, to exact justice

from the LRC arsonists and murderers.

The Southern Cameroons Congress of the People (SCCOP) is

committed to the complete decolonization of the Southern Came-

roons and to molding a new crop of pan-African leaders to com-

plete the liberation and development of Africa. To this effect, we

believe in the argument of force and the force of argument, and

work by the principles of discipline, loyalty and sacrifice. THINK

LIKE A SCCOPPER is the voice of the Southern Cameroons

Congress of the People. We are dedicated to sourcing and pub-

lishing politically educating content to raise awareness and or-

ganize the grassroots population to be active and conscious

agents of our own liberation. Join us at www.sccop.org/join and

let us achieve together. Ubuntu.

For more, connect with us via:

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Tel + 27 11 046 2864.

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Berlin – Germany.

Tel: +49 173 591 4436

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