520:
the
Cameroonian government. During the later half of 2019, Switzerland emerged as mediator for peace talks between Ambazonian nationalists and the Cameroonian government. On 22 September 2019, the Sako faction of the IG brought together leaders and representatives of 10 Ambazonian nationalist movements to create the Ambazonia Coalition Team (ACT), or Team Ambazonia and a “joint platform for negotiations” with the Cameroon government. The following talks in Switzerland were boycotted outright by the Ayuk Tabe faction, while the AGovC questioned whether Switzerland was truly neutral. In July 2020, Cameroonian officials met with Ayuk Tabe to discuss a ceasefire absent any international mediator or guarantor. The Sako-led government responded to the meeting by declaring that prisoners cannot negotiate. The AGovC, which had supported Ayuk Tabe against Sako, took a similar stance.
457:(AGovC), which traditionally has had a complicated relationship with the Interim Government, voiced support for Ayuk Tabe. Wirba Joseph called the impeachment of Ayuk Tabe "absurd". In November 2019, pro-separatist sources reported that Sako and his supporters had changed his title from Acting Interim President to President, aiming to permanently replace Ayuk Tabe even if the latter would ever be released.
491:
By late 2023, researcher Alex
Purcell argued that the leadership crisis involved various infighting groups, though the inter-rebel clashes were mainly fuelled by the conflict between "two pairs of protagonists", namely "Sako/Anu" and "Ayaba Cho/Nyih": Roughly ten major militias supported Sako and/or
469:
In
February 2022, Sako ordered the suspension of the Restoration Council, the legislative arm of the Interim Government. The Restoration Council subsequently impeached Sako, thus widening the long-running Ambazonian leadership crisis. Meeting in Washington DC, 10–13 March 2022, the second Ambazonian
449:
However, the Sako-led cabinet did not recognize Ayuk Tabe's authority to dismiss the interim cabinet, and consequently refused to step down. In June 2019, the
Ambazonia Restoration Council "impeached" Ayuk Tabe for "treasonous misconduct", and declared that he had lost his mandate to speak on behalf
540:
independence movement. Sako denounced the alliance on grounds of the importance of goodwill from
Nigeria, and argued that AGovC had put the hundreds of thousands of Anglophone refugees in Nigeria at danger. The Sako-led government preferred instead to repair relations between Ambazonia and Nigeria.
519:
The leadership conflict led to the seeming emergence of two governments, an elected leadership under president Sako in the
Diaspora and a putative leadership under Ayuk Tabe in Yaounde, each claiming legitimacy. This paradigm shift may have complicated and delayed the prospect of direct talks with
402:
In
February 2022, Sako ordered the suspension of the Restoration Council, the legislative arm of his own Interim Government. The Restoration Council subsequently impeached Sako, and later announced that Marianta Njomia had replaced Sako. The Ambazonian movement thus found itself with three people
554:
Sako's impeachment by the
Restoration Council in February 2022 coincided with an escalation of infighting on the ground, as the ADF had already begun to fracture. Given the autonomous nature of many armed groups, the causation between the leadership crisis and infighting within the IG remains a
429:
Considering that despite all efforts by well-meaning
Ambazonians responding to my appeals to keep the Interim Government afloat by accommodating the caretaker cabinet while these issues of infighting in the struggle involving grave improprieties both in the management of material and human
460:
On 13 October 2020, Ayuk Tabe called from prison in
Yaounde to settle the dispute and cooperating against Cameroon. President Ikome Sako reiterated his refusal to recognize Ayuk Tabe's cabinet, stating that "there is only one Interim Government". He further insisted that Ayuk Tabe declare the
470:
Stakeholders Strategic Conference upgraded the Restoration Council to an Interim House of Representatives elected from the 13 counties of Ambazonia and reaffirmed support of Sako as President of Ambazonia. Meanwhile, the Restoration Council, declared Marianta Njomia as Sako's replacement.
430:
resources are sorted out, the caretaker cabinet has lost the ability to reconcile our people and, in doing so, has imperiled the identity and mission of the interim government to complete the decolonization of Southern Cameroons through advancing our collective national interests.
424:
On 2 May 2019, Ayuk Tabe – still in prison – declared that the Sako-led cabinet had been dissolved, and that the cabinet led by himself had been restored. While the document recognized the Sako cabinet for its sincere efforts, it claimed that it was ultimately not fit to continue;
411:
Following the arrest of the Ayuk Tabe cabinet in January 2018 in Nigeria, Samuel Ikome Sako was elected the acting president of the Interim Government. His presidency saw attempts to unite the separatist camp under one roof (notably the creation of the
488:, initially appeared to have parted amicably, Capo Daniel began to openly challenge Lucas over the next months. In June 2023, the former deputy declared himself "the new leader of the war for the liberation of Ambazonia" and denounced Lucas.
437:
I hereby declare and direct that the caretaker cabinet is forthwith dissolved and that, the cabinet as was in office on January 5th 2018, when myself and parts of the leadership were abducted be reconstituted, restored and
511:, substance abuse, and illusory superior titles", has made it increasingly unlikely that the Ambazonian rebels will win their rebellion. Instead, the insurgent movement has devolved into "disparate, warring factions".
545:
came from refugee camps in Uganda" and that "Nigeria has shown itself not to be our friend". IPOB also denounced Sako's claim to the Ambazonian presidency, declaring him one of many "traitors and selfish fellows".
627:
433:
It is incumbent on me as a servant-leadership fiduciary to bring redress to the Southern Cameroons-Ambazonians, to their struggle and their nation, from their slow descent into a footnote of our own history.
523:
By 2023, researchers Gordon Crawford and Maurice Beseng argued that the division within the Ambazonian exile leadership was a major obstacle to any further peace negotiations, a view shared by Alex Purcell.
652:
739:
558:
By 2023, the infighting among the exile leadership and the protracted nature of the insurgency had dimmed support for a continued armed separatist campaign among civilians in the war zone.
1047:
446:, asking him to assume leadership of the revolution. Wirba declined the request, believing the Interim Government to be an "imaginary structure" and detrimental to the cause.
763:
1011:
787:
688:
878:
186:
1061:
724:
592:
477:
and former Sako loyalist) declared himself President of Ambazonia. Consequently, the separatist movement found itself with four claimants for president.
700:
827:
399:
and the restoration of Ayuk Tabe's cabinet. This effectively led to the existence of two interim governments, with neither recognizing the other.
955:
1035:
775:
179:
676:
712:
252:
247:
242:
237:
232:
227:
222:
217:
607:
1087:
982:
971:
800:
577:
172:
499:
On January 1, 2024, Ayuk Tabe wrote a letter calling for an end to the leadership crisis and unity among separatist factions.
413:
853:
934:
555:
matter of debate. Conversely, Purcell considered the leadership crisis as a major factor in the inter-rebel clashes.
210:
265:
384:
326:
296:
58:
740:
Crise anglophone : Un ancien député du SDF appelle les séparatistes à dire la vérité aux masses souffrantes
453:
The leadership crisis complicated the already delicate allegiances among Ambazonian separatist movements. The
912:
508:
764:
Ayuktabe's Call For Collaboration: We Shall Reconcile Within Interim Gov't, Not Collaborate – Dr Samuel Sako
416:
in April 2019), but faced criticism for alleged incompetence, divisiveness and misappropriation of funds.
751:
533:
454:
291:
90:
994:
1123:
532:
The leadership crisis resurfaced in mid-2021, when pro-Ayuk Tabe AGovC announced an alliance with the
1118:
701:
Just In-Dr Samuel Ikome Sako Is New Acting Interim President of The 'Federal Republic of Ambazonia'
493:
473:
On September 10, 2022, long-term IG spokesperson Chris Anu (brother of deceased separatist general
1062:"Biafra: You're too insignificant to be consulted on our struggle – IPOB tells Ambazonia's Ekome"
442:
At some point after making this declaration, Ayuk Tabe reached out to former SDF parliamentarian
395:, acting from detention in Yaoundé, declared the dissolution of the cabinet of interim president
392:
365:
311:
81:
1012:"Cameroon's anglophone conflict has lasted for six years: what citizens say about how to end it"
388:
507:
Purcell has argued that the leadership crisis, alongside the rebel militias' growing abuses, "
316:
788:
Crise anglophone: une nouvelle présidente à la tête de la république imaginaire d'Ambazonie
689:
Crise anglophone: une nouvelle présidente à la tête de la république imaginaire d'Ambazonie
306:
286:
8:
879:"NOSO/ Contestation : Lucas Ayaba Cho dos au mur, des nouvelles révélations sortent"
484:
left to create his own independent factions. Though Daniel and the rest of AGovC, led by
332:
321:
63:
Interim Government divided, with four people claiming to be the President of Ambazonia
542:
396:
275:
196:
100:
32:
593:
Cameroon: Separatist hardliners react after impechment of detained Ambazonia leader
347:
342:
301:
280:
270:
492:
Anu, while Ayaba Cho and his Vice President Julius Nyih were mainly backed by the
956:
Cameroon: Ambazonia leaders endorse Swiss-led dialogue to solve Anglophone crisis
485:
337:
480:
In early 2023, the AGovC also experienced a splintering when the group's deputy
474:
628:"Restoration Council Impeach Ambazonia President Samuel Sako, Amid Suspension"
1112:
464:
1036:
Sako: Our quest for Federal Republic of Ambazonia is of no threat to Nigeria
387:(IG). The crisis started on 2 May 2019, when a document signed by the first
776:
Ayuktabe's Call For Collaboration: Wilfred Tassang Preconditions Six Points
443:
828:"Cameroon Journalists Protest Killing of Colleague by Separatist Fighters"
481:
713:
Federalists Meet Restorationists, Which Group Will Perform The Osmosis?
461:
dissolution of his cabinet before any reconciliation could take place.
1038:, The Guardian Nigeria, 18 September 2021. Accessed 18 September 2021.
164:
608:
Cameroon: Confusion as detained Ambazonia leader impeached by peers
778:, Cameroon News Agency, 19 October 2020. Accessed 20 October 2020.
766:, Cameroon News Agency, 19 October 2020. Accessed 20 October 2020.
677:
Cameroon: Detained Ambazonia leader dissolves 'Interim Government'
580:, Cameroon News Agency, 16 October 2020. Accessed 20 October 2020.
801:"Frontline separatist commander, Capo Daniel, resigns from AGOVC"
703:, Cameroon News Agency, 4 February 2018. Accessed 19 April 2018.
754:, Mimi Mefo Infos, 30 November 2019. Accessed 30 November 2019.
537:
1050:, Cameroon News Agency, 8 August 2021. Accessed 8 August 2021.
715:, Cameroon News Agency, 29 March 2019. Accessed 10 April 2019.
1009:
578:
Armed Conflict in NWSW Regions: Jailed Leader Calls For Unity
742:, Le Bled Parle, 4 July 2019. Accessed 4 July 2019. (French)
983:
Cameroon: Anglophone secessionists split on Swiss mediation
610:, Journal du Cameroun, 12 June 2019. Accessed 12 June 2019.
595:, Journal du Cameroun, 12 June 2019. Accessed 12 June 2019.
997:, Cameroon News Agency, 5 July 2020. Accessed 7 July 2020.
465:
Split within the pro-Sako faction and AGovC (2022–present)
1088:"Cameroon's Rival Separatist Groups Clash, Kill Fighters"
935:"Ambazonia leader calls for unity, peace between groups"
679:, Journal du Cameroun, 2 May 2019. Accessed 8 July 2019.
514:
985:, The Africa Report, July 2019. Accessed February 2021.
790:, Actu Cameroun, 19 March 2022. Accessed 19 March 2022.
691:, Actu Cameroun, 19 March 2022. Accessed 19 March 2022.
647:
645:
781:
913:"Amba Boys: Transforming Pacifists into Warmongers?"
854:"Cameroon: Lucas Ayaba Cho, public enemy number one"
50:
Infighting, alleged failures of the Sako-led cabinet
1085:
825:
718:
642:
419:
1005:
1003:
725:Cameroon's Anglophone Crisis: How to Get to Talks?
1110:
1010:Gordon Crawford; Maurice Beseng (30 July 2023).
851:
727:, Crisis Group, 2 May 2019. Accessed 2 May 2019.
653:"Cameroon Separatists Elect Their New President"
1000:
573:
571:
541:The AGovC fired back, stating that "those who
1059:
622:
620:
618:
616:
180:
910:
752:Dr. Sako sworn in as President of Ambazonia
682:
568:
383:is an ongoing internal conflict within the
1048:Ayaba Fires Back As Sako Denies IPOB Union
672:
670:
613:
549:
187:
173:
527:
1086:Moki Edwin Kindzeka (16 February 2022).
1079:
735:
733:
667:
630:. Cameroon News Agency. 3 February 2022
1111:
995:COVID-19 Ceasefire: The Big Four React
973:December 2019. Accessed February 2021.
962:, 28 June 2019. Accessed 28 June 2019.
906:
904:
902:
900:
730:
655:. Voice of America. 13 September 2022
603:
601:
588:
586:
515:Effects on negotiations with Cameroon
414:Southern Cameroons Liberation Council
194:
168:
826:Moki Edwin Kindzeka (10 May 2023).
694:
13:
897:
598:
583:
14:
1135:
911:Alex Purcell (28 November 2023).
1060:Godwin Aliuna (10 August 2021).
852:Yves Plumey Bobo (8 June 2023).
420:Ayuk Tabe–Sako split (2019–2022)
1053:
1041:
1029:
988:
976:
965:
949:
927:
871:
845:
819:
793:
769:
757:
745:
502:
385:Interim Government of Ambazonia
706:
1:
561:
406:
122:Ambazonia Restoration Council
108:Ambazonia Restoration Council
381:Ambazonian leadership crisis
361:Ambazonian leadership crisis
26:Ambazonian leadership crisis
7:
534:Indigenous People of Biafra
455:Ambazonia Governing Council
292:Kidnappings of John Fru Ndi
91:Ambazonia Governing Council
10:
1140:
403:claiming to be president.
260:Battles and violent events
206:
138:
133:
74:
69:
54:
46:
38:
30:
25:
494:Ambazonia Defence Forces
113:Cabinet led by Chris Anu
550:Effects on the war zone
393:Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe
366:Major National Dialogue
312:Operation Bamenda Clean
82:Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe
937:. Cameroon News Agency
528:Relations with Nigeria
440:
389:president of Ambazonia
297:July 2019 prison riots
110:(until February 2022)
427:
134:Casualties and losses
116:(from September 2022)
805:Cameroon News Agency
307:Operation Free Bafut
124:(from February 2022)
42:2 May 2019 – present
960:Journal du Cameroun
322:Operation Bui Clean
1124:Anglophone Crisis
858:The Africa Report
397:Samuel Ikome Sako
374:
373:
198:Anglophone Crisis
163:
162:
159:
158:
129:
128:
117:
101:Samuel Ikome Sako
33:Anglophone Crisis
1131:
1119:2019 in Cameroon
1103:
1102:
1100:
1098:
1083:
1077:
1076:
1074:
1072:
1057:
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1045:
1039:
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1027:
1026:
1024:
1022:
1016:The Conversation
1007:
998:
992:
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980:
974:
969:
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662:
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649:
640:
639:
637:
635:
624:
611:
605:
596:
590:
581:
575:
543:liberated Rwanda
355:Political events
266:2016–17 protests
201:
199:
189:
182:
175:
166:
165:
140:
139:
115:
76:
75:
23:
22:
16:Political crisis
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1138:
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989:
981:
977:
970:
966:
954:
950:
940:
938:
933:
932:
928:
918:
916:
915:. Grey Dynamics
909:
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836:
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820:
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486:Ayaba Cho Lucas
467:
422:
409:
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202:
197:
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99:Cabinet led by
94:
89:
85:
80:Cabinet led by
17:
12:
11:
5:
1137:
1127:
1126:
1121:
1105:
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1078:
1052:
1040:
1028:
999:
987:
975:
964:
948:
926:
896:
870:
844:
818:
807:. 9 April 2023
792:
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612:
597:
582:
566:
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548:
529:
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516:
513:
504:
501:
475:Lekeaka Oliver
466:
463:
450:of Ambazonia.
421:
418:
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405:
372:
371:
369:
368:
363:
357:
356:
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36:
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28:
27:
21:
20:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1136:
1125:
1122:
1120:
1117:
1116:
1114:
1093:
1089:
1082:
1067:
1063:
1056:
1049:
1044:
1037:
1032:
1017:
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1006:
1004:
996:
991:
984:
979:
972:
968:
961:
957:
952:
936:
930:
914:
907:
905:
903:
901:
885:. 6 June 2023
884:
880:
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859:
855:
848:
833:
829:
822:
806:
802:
796:
789:
784:
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772:
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753:
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106:
105:Supported by:
102:
96:
92:
88:
87:Supported by:
83:
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73:
68:
62:
61:
60:
57:
53:
49:
45:
41:
37:
34:
29:
24:
19:
1095:. Retrieved
1091:
1081:
1069:. Retrieved
1065:
1055:
1043:
1031:
1019:. Retrieved
1015:
990:
978:
967:
959:
951:
939:. Retrieved
929:
917:. Retrieved
887:. Retrieved
883:Africa Press
882:
873:
861:. Retrieved
857:
847:
835:. Retrieved
831:
821:
809:. Retrieved
804:
795:
783:
771:
759:
747:
720:
708:
696:
684:
659:14 September
657:. Retrieved
632:. Retrieved
557:
553:
531:
522:
518:
506:
503:Consequences
498:
490:
479:
472:
468:
459:
452:
448:
444:Wirba Joseph
441:
438:reactivated.
436:
432:
428:
423:
410:
401:
380:
378:
360:
104:
98:
86:
31:Part of the
18:
482:Capo Daniel
84:("Nera 10")
1113:Categories
1066:Daily Post
634:4 February
562:References
536:(IPOB), a
407:Background
1071:17 August
941:2 January
327:Bamessing
287:PSS Nkwen
47:Caused by
1097:20 April
919:28 April
211:Timeline
1021:2 March
889:14 June
863:14 June
837:14 June
811:9 April
538:Biafran
496:(ADF).
348:Egbekaw
333:Missong
302:Ngarbuh
154:Unknown
149:Unknown
144:Unknown
93:(AGovC)
70:Parties
59:Ongoing
509:Odeshi
343:Bambui
338:Akwaya
271:Batibo
55:Status
317:Kumba
1099:2022
1073:2021
1023:2024
943:2024
921:2024
891:2023
865:2023
839:2023
813:2023
661:2022
636:2022
379:The
276:Ndop
253:2024
248:2023
243:2022
238:2021
233:2020
228:2019
223:2018
218:2017
39:Date
1092:VOA
832:VOA
281:Wum
1115::
1090:.
1064:.
1014:.
1002:^
958:,
899:^
881:.
856:.
830:.
803:.
732:^
669:^
644:^
615:^
600:^
585:^
570:^
391:,
1101:.
1075:.
1025:.
945:.
923:.
893:.
867:.
841:.
815:.
663:.
638:.
188:e
181:t
174:v
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.