November 9, 2009
THE KUMBA DECLARATION
“Southern Cameroons’ Grassroots Action Day”
Whereas, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), in its rather controversial ‘verdict’ on Communication 266/2003, acknowledges the historical, legitimate and legal fact that “Southern Cameroonians are a People”.
Whereas, the African Charter states in Article 19 that “All peoples shall enjoy the same respect and shall have the same rights. Nothing shall justify the domination of a people by another; Whereas Article 20 of the same African Charter states:
“[1] All peoples shall have the right to existence. They shall have the unquestionable and inalienable right to self-determination. They shall freely determine their political status…
[2] Colonized or oppressed people shall have the right to free themselves from the bonds of domination by resorting to any means recognized by the international community…”
Considering the request by the ACHPR for Southern Cameroonians and the Respondent State in that Communication to report its position to the Commission within 180 days;
Mindful of the indisputable fact that the ‘People’ are sovereign and have the last says in any decision concerning them; And finally, in view of the fact that Southern Cameroonians, and NOT the leaders of the liberation movements, SCNC, SCAPO, Ambazonia, SCARM, SCYL etc., have the final say on their plight as a people: The people of British Southern Cameroons, on whose behalf the plaintiffs filed Communication 266/2003, meeting in Bamenda on October 24, 2009, and in Kumba this day, November 8, 2009 resolve as follows:
[1] Declare Saturday November 28, 2009 as Southern Cameroons Grassroots Action Day;
[2] Call on all Southern Cameroonians to stop all other activities on that day and descend on all major towns in all the thirteen counties of the Southern Cameroons;
[3] Call on all Southern Cameroonians to demonstrate their position as requested by the Commission in a peaceful internationally recognized people-oriented manner;
[4] Call on all Southern Cameroonians to condemn any decision taken on behalf of the people of Southern Cameroons without their consent;
[5] Call on all Southern Cameroonians at home and in the Diaspora to mobilize all necessary resources to make November 28, 2009 a real Southern Cameroons Grassroots Action Day;
[6] Request the African Commission to dispatch a team of observers and human rights journalists to oversee and cover the historic occasion;
[7] Finally thank all those who pioneered this legal battle and all those who facilitated its progress to this stage, while warning those dreaming to use this avenue for personal interests to beware of the wrath of an embittered people.
DONE IN KUMBA, THIS 8th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2009
The people of Southern Cameroons
Resolution Committee:
Atabong Nkeng
Njayou Dave
Sugun Elizabeth
Mekumba Margaret
Atabong Tobias
Tong Macmillan
Ntozi George
Anne-Rita Mbi
