The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium has halted its Monday ghost town operation. The interim leaders hinted that Southern Cameroonians deserve a day off following the massive civil disobedience campaign that disrupted Youth Day celebrations throughout the Anglophone regions. The interim leaders in a statement released late yesterday observed that ghost towns will return tomorrow Tuesday the 14^th of February 2017.

The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium has gotten the endorsements of senior Southern Cameroons groups including the religious leaders.  Tapang Ivo and Mark Bareta on Sunday said they had halted today’s ghost town after very intensive and productive discussions with the operation command of the Consortium in both the Buea and Bamenda provinces of West Cameroon. The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium will however, use the time today to monitor minute by minute the trial of the detained leaders; Dr Agbor Felix Nkongho and Dr. Neba Fontem that opens today in Yaoundé.

The Consortium leaders have warned La Republique that “If no word comes from the Biya Francophone regime on the independence of Southern Cameroons soonest, we will prove to the world what really demonstrations mean.” There have been fears among prominent Francophone political elites that the Anglophone protests could lead to widespread civil disobedience.

The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium leaders, who are now pushing for an independent state for Southern Cameroons, said they were suspending the ghost town only for today to allow Southern Cameroons to get some rest.  However, the Francophone political elites have warned that the Biya regime will not accept any proposal to hold talks with the outlawed Consortium. Cameroun government Minister of Communication said that any talks outside what the regime wants will be contrary to the Constitution.

A prominent Southern Cameroons barrister was quoted as saying “We are not going to accept dialogue with any Biya emissary because our Southern Cameroons sovereignty is not vested in the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo government.”

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai