The appointment of a Vice President by the Southern Cameroons leader, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe pre-dates the infighting deep within the Ambazonia Interim Government. To be sure, it has strengthened the Federal Republic of Ambazonia and will likely endure in the post-war years.

Interim President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe ever since his arrest and extradition to Yaounde has played a careful long game in the war in Southern Cameroons. One component of his game has been to outsource leadership. By doing so, he has successfully minimized Ambazonia casualties. Another component is to work with the Southern Cameroons Diaspora to train and fund Ambazonia Self-Defense Forces into a military structure.

President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and the Ambazonia Interim Government do not need the disgraced former Acting President Sako or the now very unpopular Communications Secretary, Chris Anu to solidify his hold on leadership. Having emerged victorious from the Ambazoniagate in Abuja, Nigeria, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe now leads over a destroyed Southern Cameroons nation, a deeply polarized Diaspora population, and a Self-Defense Force that will need millions of dollars to strengthen its capacities.  The appointment of Vice President Dabney Yerima was simply in line with Sisiku Ayuk Tabe’s ambition to restore and hold control over all of Southern Cameroons territory which requires sustained financial support from the Diaspora.

Moreover, Sako and Chris Anu including some of the corrupt criminal cabals of the Ambazonia Restoration Council do not have European or South African allies they can trust.  Unlike SCBC, ABC TV is not the reliable and trustworthy channel that Southern Cameroonians rely on for news.

Vice President Yerima’s prioritization of the IG’s relationship with Europe, the US and South Africa has also been very productive. While maintaining the need for the IG to regain control of the revolution structures, Yerima has been engaging in talks with the leadership of other Ambazonia groups about future governance arrangements.

A claim by some frustrated exile leaders that Interim President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe has been removed from office is a double-edged sword for the leader’s detractors. On one hand, it denies Sako and Chris Anu the argument justifying the raising of funds for the war in Southern Cameroons.  On the other hand, it has made Chris Anu to become very irrelevant to the struggle.

Vice President Yerima’s Olive Branch operation to Chris Anu and Sako reflects the Interim Government’s intention to play a central role in shaping the future of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia. The failure of Sako and Kometa pushed many Southern Cameroons leaders into a scramble about who will get to decide the future of the revolution and eventually destroyed Barrister Fru John Nsoh.

The so-called impeachment of the Interim President has instead give Sisiku Ayuk Tabe all the cards. There are indirect talks between the Vice President and other Southern Cameroons groups for a negotiated endgame that will ensure that the struggle is won.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai