The Southern Cameroons question remains one of Africa’s most compelling post-colonial conflicts, rooted in historical injustices, manipulation, and a betrayal of the principles of self-determination. The February 11, 1961, plebiscite—often described as the genesis of Southern Cameroons’ present predicament—was less an exercise of free will and more a calculated move by colonial powers and political actors who sought to erase the map and identity of a people.
In this analysis we examine the circumstances leading to the plebiscite, the warnings of Dr. Emmanuel Mbella Lifafa Endeley, the problematic nature of the voting options, and the subsequent annexation of the Southern Cameroons by La République du Cameroun (LRC). I will further contrast this situation with the legal framework that governed the unification of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania to highlight the lack of any legal treaty binding LRC and Southern Cameroons. Finally, I link these events to the modern-day resistance of Ambazonians, who categorically reject February 11 as a day of celebration.
Endeley’s Warning and the Fear of the Unknown
Dr. E.M.L. Endeley, one of the leading figures in the Southern Cameroons struggle, warned before the plebiscite that voting for a union with LRC was tantamount to stepping into an unknown and potentially dangerous future. He argued that while a union with Nigeria had its challenges, at least Southern Cameroonians knew what to expect, given their existing administrative and economic ties with Nigeria. In contrast, he said, joining LRC was akin to “boarding a plane and landing in an unknown destination.” This was a warning that history has since vindicated.
Dr. Endeley’s argument was based on several crucial observations.First was the lack of Cultural and Political Compatibility. The Southern Cameroons, with its British colonial background, had developed institutions, laws, and a political culture distinct from that of LRC, which was shaped by French colonial policies.
Second, the entire plebiscite process seemed skewed in favor of union with LRC. The most glaring manipulation was the exclusion of a third option: complete independence. The Southern Cameroons were already self-governing, with a functioning legislative assembly and an evolving democracy. Yet, the people were forced to choose between two external powers rather than being allowed to continue their independent path.
Thirdly, the Misinterpretation of the Plebiscite Vote: Many believed that the plebiscite was a direct decision to join either Nigeria or LRC. However, in reality, it was supposed to be a mere sampling of public opinion, after which further negotiations would determine the final outcome. The fact that the UK and the UN failed to ensure proper decolonization left Southern Cameroons in a precarious position.
Lessons From The Case of Tanganyika and Zanzibar
A legally binding treaty is a crucial component of any legitimate political unification. To illustrate what was missing in the Southern Cameroons–LRC case, one can examine the Articles of Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which came together and established the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964.
Article 2: Preservation of Autonomy – This article outlined that Zanzibar would retain its own government, with control over key domestic matters like education, health, and internal security. In contrast, the Southern Cameroons lost all autonomy when LRC imposed a centralized system from Yaoundé.
Article 4: Recognition of Two Systems of Government – Tanganyika and Zanzibar agreed that although they were uniting, Zanzibar would maintain a semi-autonomous government, while Tanganyika would manage broader national affairs. No such agreement existed in the Southern Cameroons case, where the so-called “federation” was merely a pretext for eventual assimilation.
Article 6: Legal Framework for the Union – The treaty explicitly outlined legal mechanisms to guide the unification process. It detailed how laws would be harmonized and how governance would function under the new structure. In the case of Southern Cameroons, no legal treaty exists between them and LRC, meaning that their supposed union was never legally constituted.
Article 8: International Recognition of the Union – The Union Treaty between Tanganyika and Zanzibar was ratified and recognized by international bodies, including the United Nations. The Southern Cameroons’ union with LRC was never formally recognized through a signed treaty deposited at the UN, further proving that the Southern Cameroons was essentially captured or annexed by LRC – and it is illegal.
Colonial Betrayal and the Annexation of October 1, 1961
Despite the plebiscite’s ambiguity, on October 1, 1961, the UK and the UN abandoned Southern Cameroons, effectively delivering it into the hands of LRC without any legal treaty. Unlike Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which had a structured and agreed-upon unification process, the Southern Cameroons had no legal safeguards.
Within days, LRC moved in its military, gendarmes, and administrators, dismantling the democratic structures of the Southern Cameroons and imposing a centralized rule from Yaoundé. Over time, all institutions—judiciary, education, economic frameworks, and governance—were systematically dismantled or assimilated into the LRC system.
The “Bastardization” of the Southern Cameroons
Suppression of Political Identity: Southern Cameroons’ distinct identity was gradually erased. The promised federation was revoked, and by 1972, Ahmadou Ahidjo unilaterally declared a unitary state.
Economic Marginalization: The once-thriving economy of the Southern Cameroons was exploited to benefit LRC. Key institutions such as the Marketing Board were dissolved, and revenue from the Southern Cameroons resources was centralized in Yaoundé.
Cultural Assimilation and Oppression: The imposition of the French language and legal system alienated Anglophone Cameroonians, creating systematic discrimination that fueled resentment.
Why February 11 Is a “Day of Mourning” in the Southern Cameroons.
1. Symbol of Deception: The plebiscite is seen as a fraudulent exercise that paved the way for annexation rather than self-determination.
2. February 11 marks the moment when Southern Cameroonians were forced into an unwanted union.
3. The ongoing armed conflict, which escalated in 2017 following the brutal crackdown on peaceful protests, is rooted in these historical grievances.
To emphasize their rejection of February 11, Ambazonian leaders and activists have enforced ghost towns (total shutdowns) every February 11. This is a form of civil disobedience, signaling to LRC and the international community that they do not recognize the legitimacy of Youth Day celebrations.
The Southern Cameroons struggle is a textbook case of post-colonial betrayal, forced assimilation, and the denial of self-determination. The February 11, 1961, plebiscite was a rigged exercise that ignored the true will of the people, leading to decades of systematic oppression under LRC.
By contrasting this situation with the legally binding treaty of union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, it becomes clear that the Southern Cameroons was annexed, not united, with LRC. The continued resistance, including the rejection of February 11, is proof of the enduring spirit of Ambazonians who seek to right a historical wrong.
Without a legally binding document, no treaty, no union, the Southern Cameroons remain an occupied territory, and that is the reason they fight.
