Postwatch (Cameroon)

No Joining Invalidates October 1

By Vincent Feko

For both Southern Cameroonians and former French Cameroonians 1st October 1961 was an eventful and significant date. While the date has been retained by Southern Cameroonians the other party has cleverly abandoned it.Why was 1st October 1961 so important to the extent that it has left cherished nostalgic memories? On the one hand, Southern Cameroonians regarded that 1st October as date of the territory’s independence. Some continue to do so. On the other hand, former French Cameroonians regarded it and continue to do so, as the date of their invasion and colonisation of Southern Cameroons under the cloak of what they call Reunification.
Prof. Martin Chia Ateh’s lectures and letters have shed more light on the matter and a perceptive analysis of the case now reveals abundant evidence that 1st October 1961 was an illusion and not the independence Southern Cameroonians believed they had achieved
Picture: Demonstration in London

Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources, G.A. res. 1803 (XVII),

Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources, G.A. res. 1803 (XVII), 17 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No.17) at 15, U.N. Doc. A/5217 (1962).

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 523 (VI) of 12 January 1952 and 626 (VII) of 21 December 1952

Bearing in mind its resolution 1314(XIII) of 12 December 1958, by which it
established the Commission on Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources and instructed it to conduct a full survey of the status of permanent sovereignty over natural wealth and resources as a basic constituent of the right to self-determination, with recommendations, where necessary, for its strengthening, and decided further that, in the conduct of the full survey of the status of the permanent sovereignty of peoples and nations over their natural wealth and resources, due regard should be paid to the rights and duties of States under international law and to the importance of encouraging international co-operation in the economic development of developing countries,

UN Resolution 1514 (XV) of14 December 1960

UN Resolution 1514 (XV) of14 December 1960 on the Declaration on the E. UN Resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 on the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

The General Assembly, Mindful of the determination proclaimed by the people of the world in the Charter of the United Nations to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

UN Resolution 226 (III) of 18 November 1948

D .  UN Resolution 226 (III) of 18 November 1948 on the Progressive Development of Trust
Territories;

The General Assembly,

   Recalling that the Trusteeship System is aimed at the progressive development of Trust
Territories toward self-government or independence,

   Considering that this development should be achieved at the earliest possible date and that the Trust Territories should attain self-government or independence as soon as possible,

UN Resolution 224 (III) of 18 November 1948 on the Administrative

C. UN Resolution 224 (III) of

18 November 1948

on the Administrative

     Unions Affecting

Trust

Territories

;

The General Assembly,

   Mindful that one of the basic objectives of the Trusteeship System is to promote the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the Trust Territories, and their progressive development towards self-government or independence,

   Noting that the Trusteeship Agreements for some of these Territories authorize the Administering Authority concerned to constitute the Territory into a customs, fiscal or administrative union or federation with adjacent territories under its sovereignty or control and to establish common services between the Trust Territory and such adjacent territories, where such measures are not inconsistent with the basic objectives of the Trusteeship System and with the terms of the Trusteeship Agreement,

   Recognizing that, in certain circumstances, such unions may be in the interests of the inhabitants of the Territory concerned,

   Recalling that the General Assembly approved these Agreements upon the assurance of the Administering Powers that they do not consider the terms of the relevant articles in the Trusteeship Agreements as giving powers to the Administering Authority to establish any form of political association between the Trust Territories respectively administered by them and adjacent territories which would involve annexation of the Trust Territories in any sense or would have the effect of extinguishing their status as Trust Territories,

   Having considered the observations of the Trusteeship Council, contained in the report covering its second and third sessions (A/603), on the existing or proposed administrative unions between certain Trust Territories and the adjacent territories under the sovereignty or control of the Administering Authority,

   Notes the observations of the Trusteeship Council on such administrative unions; and in particular;

   Endorses the observation of the Trusteeship Council that an administrative union “must remain strictly administrative in its nature and its scope, and that its operation must not have the effect of creating any conditions which will obstruct the separate development of the Trust Territory, in the fields of political, economic, social and educational advancement, as a distinct entity”;

   Recommends accordingly that the Trusteeship Council should:

(a)   Investigate these questions in all their aspects with special reference to such unions already constituted or proposed and in the light of the terms of the Trusteeship Agreements and the assurances given by the Administrative Authorities in this connexion;

(b)   In the light of this investigation, recommend such safeguards as the Council may deem necessary to preserve the distinct political status of the

Trust

Territories

and to enable the Council effectively to exercise supervisory functions over such Territories;

(c)   Request, whenever appropriate, an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice as to whether such unions are within the scope of and compatible with, the stipulations of the Charter and the terms of the Trusteeship Agreements as approved by the General Assembly;

(d)   Invite the Administering Authorities to make available to the Council such information relating to administrative unions as will facilitate the investigation by the Council referred to above;

(e)   Report specifically to the next regular session of the General Assembly on the results of the Council’s investigations and the action taken by it.

                   Hundred and sixtieth plenary meeting,

                                                   

18 November 1948

.

UN Resolution 224 (III) of 18 November 1948 on the Administrative Unions Affecting Trust Territories;

C. UN Resolution 224 (III) of 18 November 1948 on the Administrative Unions Affecting Trust Territories; The General Assembly, Mindful that one of the basic objectives of the Trusteeship System is to promote the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the Trust Territories, and their progressive development towards self-government or independence, Noting that the Trusteeship Agreements for some of these Territories authorize the Administering Authority concerned to constitute the Territory into a customs, fiscal or administrative union or federation with adjacent territories under its sovereignty or control and to establish common services between the Trust Territory and such adjacent territories, where such measures are not inconsistent with the basic objectives of the Trusteeship System and with the terms of the Trusteeship Agreement, Recognizing that, in certain circumstances, such unions may be in the interests of the inhabitants of the Territory concerned, Recalling that the General Assembly approved these Agreements upon the assurance of the Administering Powers that they do not consider the terms of the relevant articles in the Trusteeship Agreements as giving powers to the Administering Authority to establish any form of political association between the Trust Territories respectively administered by them and adjacent territories which would involve annexation of the Trust Territories in any sense or would have the effect of extinguishing their status as Trust Territories, Having considered the observations of the Trusteeship Council, contained in the report covering its second and third sessions (A/603), on the existing or proposed administrative unions between certain Trust Territories and the adjacent territories under the sovereignty or control of the Administering Authority, Notes the observations of the Trusteeship Council on such administrative unions; and in particular; Endorses the observation of the Trusteeship Council that an administrative union “must remain strictly administrative in its nature and its scope, and that its operation must not have the effect of creating any conditions which will obstruct the separate development of the Trust Territory, in the fields of political, economic, social and educational advancement, as a distinct entity”; Recommends accordingly that the Trusteeship Council should: (a) Investigate these questions in all their aspects with special reference to such unions already constituted or proposed and in the light of the terms of the Trusteeship Agreements and the assurances given by the Administrative Authorities in this connexion; (b) In the light of this investigation, recommend such safeguards as the Council may deem necessary to preserve the distinct political status of the Trust Territories and to enable the Council effectively to exercise supervisory functions over such Territories; (c) Request, whenever appropriate, an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice as to whether such unions are within the scope of and compatible with, the stipulations of the Charter and the terms of the Trusteeship Agreements as approved by the General Assembly; (d) Invite the Administering Authorities to make available to the Council such information relating to administrative unions as will facilitate the investigation by the Council referred to above; (e) Report specifically to the next regular session of the General Assembly on the results of the Council’s investigations and the action taken by it. Hundred and sixtieth plenary meeting, 18 November 1948.

Paragraphs 73 of UN Charter on Non-Self Governing Territories and 76b on Trusteeship

A.        Article 73:  Declaration Regarding Non-Self-Governing Territories:      

“Members of the United Nations which have or assume responsibilities for the administration of territories whose peoples have not  yet attained a full measure of self-government recognize the principle that the interests of the inhabitants of these territories are paramount, and accept as a sacred trust the obligation to promote to the utmost, within the system of international peace and security established by the present Charter, the well-being of the inhabitants of these territories, and, to this end:

a) to ensure, with due respect for the culture of the peoples concerned, their political, economic, social, and educational advancement, their just treatment, and their protection against abuses; 

b) to develop self-government, to take due account of the political aspirations of the peoples, and to assist them in the progressive development of their free political institutions, according to the particular circumstances of each territory and its peoples and their varying stages of advancement”.

B.        Article 76.b. of the Charter of the UN:

“The basic objectives of the trusteeship system, in accordance with the purposes of the United Nations laid down in Article 1 of the present Charter, shall be:  to promote the political, economic, social, and educational advancement of the inhabitants of the trust territories, and their progressive development towards self-government or independence as may be appropriate to the particular circumstances of each territory and its peoples and the freely expressed wishes of the peoples concerned, and as may be provided by the terms of each trusteeship agreement”.

C. UN Resolution 224 (III) of

18 November 1948

on the Administrative

     Unions Affecting

Trust

Territories

;

The General Assembly,

   Mindful that one of the basic objectives of the Trusteeship System is to promote the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the Trust Territories, and their progressive development towards self-government or independence,

   Noting that the Trusteeship Agreements for some of these Territories authorize the Administering Authority concerned to constitute the Territory into a customs, fiscal or administrative union or federation with adjacent territories under its sovereignty or control and to establish common services between the Trust Territory and such adjacent territories, where such measures are not inconsistent with the basic objectives of the Trusteeship System and with the terms of the Trusteeship Agreement,

   Recognizing that, in certain circumstances, such unions may be in the interests of the inhabitants of the Territory concerned,

   Recalling that the General Assembly approved these Agreements upon the assurance of the Administering Powers that they do not consider the terms of the relevant articles in the Trusteeship Agreements as giving powers to the Administering Authority to establish any form of political association between the Trust Territories respectively administered by them and adjacent territories which would involve annexation of the Trust Territories in any sense or would have the effect of extinguishing their status as Trust Territories,

   Having considered the observations of the Trusteeship Council, contained in the report covering its second and third sessions (A/603), on the existing or proposed administrative unions between certain Trust Territories and the adjacent territories under the sovereignty or control of the Administering Authority,

   Notes the observations of the Trusteeship Council on such administrative unions; and in particular;

   Endorses the observation of the Trusteeship Council that an administrative union “must remain strictly administrative in its nature and its scope, and that its operation must not have the effect of creating any conditions which will obstruct the separate development of the Trust Territory, in the fields of political, economic, social and educational advancement, as a distinct entity”;

   Recommends accordingly that the Trusteeship Council should:

(a)   Investigate these questions in all their aspects with special reference to such unions already constituted or proposed and in the light of the terms of the Trusteeship Agreements and the assurances given by the Administrative Authorities in this connexion;

(b)   In the light of this investigation, recommend such safeguards as the Council may deem necessary to preserve the distinct political status of the

Trust

Territories

and to enable the Council effectively to exercise supervisory functions over such Territories;

(c)   Request, whenever appropriate, an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice as to whether such unions are within the scope of and compatible with, the stipulations of the Charter and the terms of the Trusteeship Agreements as approved by the General Assembly;

(d)   Invite the Administering Authorities to make available to the Council such information relating to administrative unions as will facilitate the investigation by the Council referred to above;

(e)   Report specifically to the next regular session of the General Assembly on the results of the Council’s investigations and the action taken by it.

                   Hundred and sixtieth plenary meeting,

                                                   

18 November 1948

.

Document: The Trusteeship Agreement for the Territory of the Cameroons under British Administration

   

TRUSTEESHIP AGREEMENT FOR THE TERRITORY OF THE 

    

CAMEROONS

UNDER BRITISH ADMINISTRATION

                                                                                                               

13 December 1946

          (Culled from the Yearbook of the United Nations, p. 190 – 193 )

     WHEREAS the territory known as the Cameroons under British Mandate and hereinafter referred to as the Territory has been administered in accordance with Article 22 of the Covenant of the League of Nations under a Mandate conferred on His Britannic  Majesty; and

     WHEREAS Article 75 of the United Nations Charter, signed at San Francisco on 26 June 1945, provides for the establishment of an international trusteeship system for the administration and supervision of such territories as may be placed thereunder by subsequent individual agreements; and

     WHEREAS under Article 77 of the said Charter the international  trusteeship system may be applied to territories now held under Mandate; and

     WHEREAS His Majesty has indicated his desire to place the Territory under the said international trusteeship system; and

    WHEREAS in accordance with Article 75 and 77 of the said Charter, the placing of a territory under the international  trusteeship system is to be effected by means of a Trusteeship Agreement;

     Now THEREFORE, the General Assembly of the United Nations hereby resolves to approve the following terms of trusteeship for the Territory.

                                                            Article 1 

     The Territory to which this Agreement applies comprises that part of the Cameroons lying to the west of the boundary defined by the Franco-British Declaration of 10 July 1919, and more exactly defined in the Declaration made by the Governor of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria and the Governor of the Cameroons under French Mandate which was confirmed by the exchange of Notes between His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and the French Government of  9 January 1931. This line may, however, be slightly modified by mutual agreement between His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and the Government of the French Republic where an examination of the localities shows that it is desirable in the interests of  the inhabitants.

                                                            Article 2

     His Majesty is hereby designated as Administering Authority for the Territory, the responsibility for the administration of which will be undertaken by His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

                                                            Article 3

     The Administering Authority undertakes to administer  the Territory in such a manner as to achieve the basic objectives of the international  trusteeship system laid down in Article 76 of the United Nations Charter. The Administering Authority further  undertakes to collaborate fully with the General Assembly of  the United Nations and the Trusteeship Council in the discharge of all their functions as defined in Article 87 of the United Nations Charter, and to facilitate any periodic visits to the territory which they may deem necessary, at times to be agreed upon with the Administering Authority.

                                                            Article 4

     The Administering Authority shall be responsible (a) for the peace, order, good government and defence of the Territory and (b) for ensuring that it shall play its part in the maintenance of international peace and security.

                                                            Article 5

     For the above-mentioned purposes and for all purposes of  this Agreement, as may be necessary, the Administering Authority:

(a)    shall have full powers of  legislation, administration and jurisdiction in the Territory and shall administer it in accordance with its own laws as an integral part of his territory with such modification as may be required by local conditions and subject to the provisions of the United Nations Charter and this Agreement;

(b)   shall be entitled to constitute the Territory into a customs, fiscal or administrative union or federation with adjacent territories under his sovereignty or control, and to establish common services between such territories and the Territory where such measures are not inconsistent with the basic objectives of  the international trusteeship system and with the terms of this Agreement;

(c)    and shall be entitled to establish naval, military and air bases, to erect fortifications, to station and employ his own forces in the Territory and to take all such other measures  as are in his opinion necessary for the defence of the Territory and for ensuring that it plays its part in the maintenance of international peace and security. To this end the Administering Authority may make use of volunteer forces, facilities and assistance from the Territory in carrying out the obligations towards the Security Council undertaken in this regard by the Administering Authority, as well as for local defence and the maintenance of law and order within the Territory.

Article 6

     The Administering Authority shall promote the development of free political institutions suited to the Territory. To this end the Administering Authority shall assure to the inhabitants of the Territory a progressively increasing share in the administrative and other services of the Territory; shall develop the participation of the inhabitants of the Territory in advisory and legislative bodies and in the government of the Territory, both central and local, as may be appropriate to the particular circumstances of the Territory and its peoples; and shall take all other appropriate measures with a view to the political advancement of the inhabitants of the Territory in accordance with Article 76 (b) of the United Nations Charter. In considering the measures to be taken under this Article the Administering Authority shall, in the interest of the inhabitants, have special regard to the provisions Article 5 (a) of this Agreement.

                                                            Article 7

     The Administering Authority undertakes to apply in the Territory  the provisions of any international conventions and recommendations already existing or hereafter drawn up by the United Nations or by the specialized agencies referred to in Article 57 of the Charter, which may be appropriate to the particular circumstances of the Territory and which would conduce to the achievement of the basic objectives of the international trusteeship system.

                                                            Article 8

     In framing laws relating to the holding or  transfer of  land and natural resources, the Administering Authority shall take into consideration native laws and customs, and shall respect the rights and safeguard the interests, both present and future, of the native population. No native land or natural resources may be transferred except between natives, save with the previous consent of  the competent public authority. No real rights over native land or natural resources in favour of non-natives, may be created except with the same consent.

                                                            Article 9

     Subject to the provisions of Article 10 of this Agreement, the Administering Authority shall take all necessary steps to ensure equal treatment in social, economic, industrial and commercial matters for all Members of  the United Nations and their nationals and to this end:

(a)    shall ensure the same rights to all nationals of Members of the United Nations as to his own nationals in respect of entry into and residence in the Territory, freedom of  transit and navigation, including freedom of transit and navigation by air, acquisition of  property both movable and immovable, the protection of persons and property, and the exercise of professions and trade;

(b)   shall not discriminate on grounds of nationality against nationals of any Member of the United Nations in matters relating to the grant of concessions having the character of a general monopoly;

(c)    shall ensure equal treatment in the administration of justice to the nationals of all Members of the United Nations.

The rights conferred in this Article on nationals of Members of the United Nations apply equally to companies and associations controlled by such nationals and organized in accordance with the law of any Member of the United Nations.

                                                            Article 10

     Measures taken to give effect to Article 9 of this Agreement shall be subject always to the overriding duty of the Administering Authority in accordance with Article 76 of the United Nations Charter to promote the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the inhabitants of the Territory, to carry out the other basic objectives of the international trusteeship system, and the maintenance of peace, order and good government. The Administrative Authority shall in particular be free:

(a)    to organize essential public services and works on such terms and conditions as he thinks just;

(b)   to create monopolies of a purely fiscal character in order to provide the territory with the fiscal resources which seem best suited to the local requirements, or otherwise to serve the interests of  the inhabitants of  the Territory;

(c)    where the interests of  the economic advancement of  the inhabitants of the Territory may require it, to establish or permit to be established, for specific purposes, other monopolies or undertakings having in them an element of monopoly, under conditions of proper public control; provided that, in he selection of  agencies to carry out the purposes of this paragraph, other than agencies controlled by the Government or those in  which the Government participates, the Administering Authority shall not discriminate on grounds of nationality against Members of the United Nations or their nationals.

Article 11

     Nothing in this Agreement shall entitle any Member of  the United Nations to claim for itself or for its nationals, companies and associations, the benefits of Article 9 of  this Agreement in any respect in which it does not give to the inhabitants, companies and associations of the Territory equality of treatment with the nationals, companies and associations of the State which it treats most favourably.

                                                            Article 12

     The Administering Authority shall, as may be appropriate to the circumstances of the Territory continue and extend a general system of  elementary education designed to abolish illiteracy and facilitate the vocational and cultural advancement of  the population, child and adult, and shall similarly provide such facilities as may prove desirable and practicable in the interests of  the inhabitants for qualified students to receive secondary and higher education, including professional training.

                                                            Article 13

     The Administering Authority shall ensure in the Territory complete freedom of conscience and, so far as is consistent with the requirements of public order and morality, freedom of religious teaching and the free exercise of all forms of worship. Subject to the provisions of Article 8 of this Agreement and the local law, Missionaries who are nationals of Members of the United Nations shall be free to enter the Territory and to travel and reside therein, to acquire and possess property, to erect religious buildings and to open schools and hospitals in the Territory. The provisions of  this Article shall not, however, affect the right and duty of the Administering Authority to exercise such control  as he may consider necessary for the maintenance of peace, order and good government and for the educational advancement of the inhabitants of  the Territory, and to take all measures required for such control.

                                                            Article 14

     Subject only to the requirements of public order, the Administering Authority shall guarantee to the inhabitants of  the Territory freedom of speech, of  the press, of assembly, and of petition.

                                                            Article 15

     The Administering Authority may arrange for the co-operation of the Territory in any regional advisory commission, regional technical organization, or other voluntary association of states, any specialized international bodies, public or private, or other forms of international activity not inconsistent with the United Nations Charter.

                                                            Article 16

     The Administering Authority shall make to the General Assembly of the United Nations an annual report, on the basis of a questionnaire drawn up by the Trusteeship Council in accordance with Article 88 of the United Nations Charter. Such reports shall include information concerning the measures taken to give effect to suggestions and recommendations of the General Assembly and the Trusteeship Council. The Administering Authority shall designate an accredited representative to be present at the sessions of the Trusteeship Council at which the reports of  the Administering Authority with regard to the Territory are considered.

                                                            Article 17

     Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right of the Administering Authority to propose, at any future date, the amendment of this Agreement for the purpose of designating the whole or part of the Territory as a strategic area or for any other purpose not inconsistent with the basic objectives of  the international trusteeship system.

                                                            Article 18

     The terms of this Agreement shall not be altered or amended except as provided in Article 79 and Article 83 or 85, as the case may be, of the United Nations Charter.

                                                            Article 19

     If any dispute whatever should arise between the Administering Authority and another Member of the United Nations relating to the interpretation or application of the provisions of this Agreement, such dispute, if it cannot be settled by negotiation or other means, shall be submitted to the International Court of Justice provided for  in Chapter XIV of the United Nations Charter.

Article 4.b. of the Constitutive Act of the African

Union

on “the respect of borders existing on achievement of independence”.

La Republique du Cameroun achieved independence on

1 January 1960

(without the British Southern Cameroons);

Nigeria

achieved independence on

1 October 1960

(without the British Northern

Cameroons

).

Ntemfac Ofege: “It’s Time to Walk Away” (Reaction to the July 22 heavily-rigged Elections in Cameroon)

Interviewed by the Chronicle Newspaper

“I leave Cameroon with the impression that there is only one Cameroon, multilingual and multi-ethnic. I encourage dialogue of these stakeholders. In every country, there are problems of marginalisation. The way it has to be solved is by dialogue and not by walking away.” Former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, on the Anglophone Problem. 2000AD

“It’s Time to Walk Away!”

Chronicle: Mr. Ntemfac A.N. Ofege, two years ago you prophesized that the CPDM will gerrymander, rig the elections and collect 7-10 seats from the SDF. You also said that the CPDM would take at least 15 councils room the SDF. You must be pleased with yourself now that everything you said has come to pass.

The fundamentalism of Difference: Reaction to the July 22 Rigged Elections in Cameroun

By Ntemfac A. N. Ofege

Sankofa (Kalu, 2006:1)   is the bird that turns its head to look backwards in the direction from where it came because a person who is not conscious about where a journey started may not know where he/she is going. The symbols urge people to “go back and take it,” or look back and reclaim their historical and cultural heritage. Sankofa, a Twi word, is one of the symbols used to promote unity based on the recovery of Ghanaian cultural heritage.
“Quebec, je me souviens,” is the foundation upon which the minority French Canadians want out of the Canadian federation. Africans and Africa countries that dug into historical, traditional and cultural values in search of unity have discovered more than unity. The foundation is of steel when it is anchored on the communality of shared values.
Ntemfac A. N. Ofege unveils the parallel between the enduring Southern Cameroons determinism and the antics of the Sankofa. The fundamentalism of difference.