The Nigerian authorities have now openly taken its stance on the ongoing demands for an independent Ambazanian Republic to be made up of the English speaking North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.
Femi Adesina, spokesperson of Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari in Lagos to visiting special envoy from President Paul Biya of Cameroon Felix Mbayu, that country’s Minister Delegate in Charge of Cooperation with the Commonwealth.
Mr. Buhari’s statement was a clear message that his government was not backing the secessionist ambitions of some Cameroon Anglophones: “You will have problems if your neighbours are not cultivated. And our relationship with Cameroon had been very clear since when I was serving in the military. The country offered us the needed support during our Civil War.” The statement added that “to ensure that Cameroon is stable, and we will be steadfast in our support for you.”
In an apparent satisfaction of a diplomatic victory Felix Mbayu, said President Biya was happy with the role Nigeria was playing in Africa, noting that the two neighbours share not just borders and historical ties, “but also common challenges.”
It should be recalled that Cameroon and Nigeria have a common challenge. The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB are fighting for an independent Biafra Republic away from Nigeria. The IPOB movement is similar to that clamouring for the Anglophone Ambazonia Republic.
Emmanuel Tamanje
https://sillonpanafricain.net/
